UMSL Team Shootout: (Top Performers)
Prep Hoops Missouri was in attendance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis Shootout on Friday. Here is a look at the top performers on the day:
Josh Wallace 6’6″ CBC: The 2019 forward was an absolute wrecking ball during the two games in which he played in. His high motor was only matched by his high productivity. He overpowered his opposition for rebounds at both ends and scored on powerful drives to the basket and coast to coast forays that ended in big slam dunks. He also mixed in a couple of 17 footers off the dribble which really made him difficult to match up with. He attacked the rim with veracity on a consistent basis.
Jaron Thames 6’5″ Trinity: The smooth 2019 wing player displayed his excellent all-around offensive skills from the mid-range in throughout the day. Now, he has a reliable 3-pointer as well, which makes him a formidable offensive weapon. In a close game against Webster Groves, he knocked down back to back 3-pointers from the left wing to open the game up in the closing minutes. He has good handles, attacks the basket and does a good finding the open man with pinpoint passing.
Ben Cooper 6’2″ Helias: The 2019 combo guard put on an impressive scoring display in the Crusaders’ three games, which were all victories. He looked very smooth getting buckets all day. He is a well-accomplished shooter from long distance, but he displayed his all-around scoring chops on Friday. He was excellent at creating shots off the dribble as he knocked down mid-range jumpers, floaters and layups from different angles. He proved that he is more just a shooter, but also a bucket-getter. Very impressive day.
Amorey Womack 6’0 Webster Groves: One of the reasons why will continue to be a force is the potent 2019 combo guard, who got plenty of buckets during the day. Womack knocked down a number of 3-pointers and scored on aggressive drives to the basket, which what he is fully capable of doing. He has also become a much better passer who can create for his teammates. He is making the extra pass to a teammate who has a better shot that himself. His overall game is constantly evolving in the past year.
A’Tavian Butler 6’2″ McCluer North: The 2019 wing player was his normal difficult matchup self again in the game that I watched. His athleticism and slashing ability made him hard to very hard to keep out of the lane as he finished at the rim with ease. He scored on layups and short jumper on the regular, plus he is one of the best rebounding guards in the state, especially at the offensive end. When he was open and got his feet set, he also knocked down a couple of 3-pointers, which was something I hadn’t seem before.
Damien Loyd 5’10” Kirkwood: The 2019 point guard was without question the best passer in the entire team camp during the day. He did a tremendous job of locating open teammates and delivering room-service passes for open looks. And he did it in all facets of the game. He dropped no look dimes to streaking teammates on the break, slick pocket passes in the pick and roll and penetrate and kick outs for 3-pointers. He had eyeballs everywhere in his head. When it was time to get a bucket, he could create one for himself without much trouble.
Stevie Wright 6’5″ Webster Groves: The 2019 combo forward continued his impressive play from the spring with another good showing in this early summer team camp. He was bouncy and very active around the basket as one of the top rebounders on the day. He is gradually emerging into a reliable scorer around the basket and more than just a put-back machine. He has some good, aggressive takes from the perimeter and he also knocked down some jumpers. As his offensive game expands and he continues to gain confidence, he will be tough to deal with.