ARVEST CLASSIC: Thursday standouts
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Teams from around the state squared off on Thursday in the opening round of the eight-team Arvest Classic hosted by Parkview High School in Springfield.
14 — Ben Bryant, 6’5, F, 2019, Raytown
Bryant has terrific size and an athletic frame that he combines with a versatile skill set. He is athletic enough to defend the paint, man the boards, or move his feet on the perimeter and help cover up a guard. Offensively Bryant shows good range and the ability to step out and knock down a 3 or attack the basket a little off the bounce.
22 — Ryan Campbell, 6’2, G, 2020, Lafayette
Campbell had a big game for Lafayette, helping spur a big rally and a com-from-behind victory. He finished the contest with 25 points. He is a strong, physical guard who isn’t afraid to mix it up. Campbell is at his best attacking the basket and finishing tough chances in the lane, but also has an old-school pull-up game in the mid-range and showed he can shoot the 3 as well.
42 — Trey Griffey, 6’7, PF/C, 2019, Lafayette
Griffey is a big, strong interior player who can get big on the boards and st ep out and shoot from the perimeter. He hit a big 3 from the head of the key that gave Lafayette a 65-62 lead over Nixa in Thursday’s opening night contest at Parkview.
11 — Desmond Hutson, 6’4, G,/F, 2019, Raytown
Also a standout wide receiver during the fall, Hutson has committed to play football at Iowa. On the hardwood he is a power packed combination of athleticism, strength and determination. He is a hard worker at both ends of the floor who gets big on the boards, rebounds well and is a good finisher in transition.
10 — Aubrey Martin, 5’11, G, 2019, Raytown
A strong, powerfully built guard, Martin went for a game-high 25 points in Thursday’s loss to Fayetteville, Ark. He is a strong ball handler who can get to the basket, creates well off the bounce and got to the free throw line.
2 — Xavier Sykes, 5’9, G, 2021, Helias
You won’t find many guards quicker than Sykes who is explosive off the bounce, capable of changing directions, starting stopping and creating space off the bounce. He is a crafty finisher around the basket and can knock down outside shots, showing good form and lift. He also made several terrific passes for easy baskets as well.
20 — Justice Thoma, 6’4, G/F, 2020, Cape Notre Dame
Thoma has good size and a well-rounded offensive game with the ability to put the ball on the floor, get to the basket or shoot a little from the outside. He has a strong frame and at 6’4 has good height for a player who plays a lot on the perimeter. He finished with 16 points to lead the Bulldogs in a 61-45 loss, but left a host of points at the free throw line as he suffered several misses at the stripe.