10 Best: Lawrence (Kan.) vs. Park Hill South (Mo.)
LIBERTY, Mo. — The fourth game of the annual 810Varsity Tip Off classic featured Park Hill South (Mo.) pulling away from Lawrence (Kan.) for a 62-51 win behind the play of guard Lamel Robinson and Desi Williams. The pair combined…
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Continue ReadingLIBERTY, Mo. — The fourth game of the annual 810Varsity Tip Off classic featured Park Hill South (Mo.) pulling away from Lawrence (Kan.) for a 62-51 win behind the play of guard Lamel Robinson and Desi Williams.
The pair combined to score 42 points.
MVP: Lamel Robinson (5’11, G, 2019, Park Hill South). A Nebraska Omaha recruit, Park Hill South guard Lamel Robinson enters the 2018-19 season as one of the city’s premier guards and as a four-year varsity starter, one of its most experienced. Robinson has elite speed and quickness, the ability to break down a defense off the dribble and get all the way to the basket, as well as deep range beyond the 3-point arc and the ability to create outside shots for himself off the dribble. He is terrific at splitting ball traps and getting all the way to the basket, and can finish around bigger players in the paint. He went for 24 on Saturday and left several more points on the floor missing several chances in the lane he usually converts.
Offensive Performer: Zeke Mayo (6’2, G, 2021, Lawrence). Mayo is among Kansas’ bright young guards in the 2021 class. He has terrific size and length with a long, rangy frame. He can do it all from a skill level with the ability to shoot from the outside, score off the bounce and get all the way to the basket where he is a terrific finisher in traffic. He led Lawrence with 18 points and added six rebounds.
Best passer: Dawson Owens (Park Hill Soth). Owens made several no look passes, impressing with his outside shooting, ball handling and play making abilities. He scored four points in the win, but played a terrific floor game alongside guards Desi Willams and Lamel Robinson.
Best rebounder: Brett Chapple (6’5, F, 2019, Lawrence). Chapple is a tough, old-school interior player who likes to mix it up in the paint. He sets hard screens, works hard at the defensive end and is all over the boards at both ends of the floor. He finished Saturday’s contest against Park Hill South with 11 rebounds.
Best Defender: Desi Williams (5’9, PG, 2019, Park Hill South). Williams is a defensive pest, always in the shorts of the opposing team’s best ball handler, creating havoc, forcing turnovers and applying ball pressure. He and Lamel Robinson are both four year starters and bring a wealth of experience to the floor. On Saturday he showcased a well-rounded offensive game as well, scoring 18 points as he got to the basket and created scoring opportunities.
Most Improved: Eric Galbreath (6’7, PF/C, 2019, Lawrence). Galbreath mostly played JV a year ago for Lawrence, but has earned a starting role this season and while he doesn’t provide a lot of offense, he is a difference maker at the defensive end of the court with his size, length and shot blocking ability. Galbreath runs the floor exceptionally well and showed on Saturday he can finish chances around the basket as well.
Most Versatile: Savonni Shazor (6’7, G, 2019, Lawrence). Shazor is a long, athletic forward who can impact the game all over the floor. He can handle the ball, see over a defense on the perimeter and make smart passes, and is a knock down perimeter shooter with a lot of range out beyond the 3-point arc. He went for 12 points and five rebounds before leaving the contest in the fourth quarter with an injury.
Best off the Bench: Garrett Lee (6’2, G, 2020, Park Hill South). Neither team really got a lot of offense off their bench, but Lee provided perhaps the biggest shot when he canned a long 3-pointer as the first quarter buzzer sounded. He played a lot of minutes late in the game when the Panthers were looking to close out the game and provided solid ball handling and defense.
Best Youngster: Zeke Mayo (6’2, G, 2021, Lawrence). In a game that otherwise featured juniors and seniors, Mayo was really the only underclassmen to see any varsity run on Saturday for either team. He led Lawrence with 18 points and showed why he is one of the state’s top players in the 2021 class.