5 Best: Parkview vs West Memphis (Ozark Mountain Shootout)
Friday’s nightcap at the Ozark Mountain Shootout may have saved the best for last as Springfield’s Parkview Vikings squared off with the West Memphis Blue Devils (5A #1 Arkansas). This back and forth contest featured some high-level prospects, intense coaches,…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFriday’s nightcap at the Ozark Mountain Shootout may have saved the best for last as Springfield’s Parkview Vikings squared off with the West Memphis Blue Devils (5A #1 Arkansas). This back and forth contest featured some high-level prospects, intense coaches, and a great deal of excitement. In the end, it was a late drive and finish by West Memphis’s Cavin Paige that gave the Blue Devil’s a one point lead with 25 seconds remaining. Dontae Taylor’s last second shot for the Vikings fell just short as the buzzer sounded and West Memphis escaped with a 64-63 win.
Here are the 5 best from this thrilling contest:
6’6 Sr G/F Tyem Freeman – Parkview
The Missouri State commit had nowhere near his best game from a shooting standpoint, but still finished with 21 big points for the Vikings. That says a great deal about the talent that Tyem possesses. He is a strong, physical, athletic and versatile wing that is at his best attacking off the dribble and getting to the rim which he did several times against a long and talented West Memphis team. He had several highlights Friday night that included a poster worthy throw-down, a clutch 3-pointer, and an emphatic block. He was also big for Parkview defensively and on the glass.
6’0 Jr Dontae Taylor – Parkview
photo cred Bruce StidhamTaylor has been running the show for the Vikings since his freshman year and has elevated his game to another level so far in this young season. He is a slasher and strong finisher at the rim. A more than capable scorer who averaged 12.5 ppg last year, Dontae’s greatest strength is his ability to command the floor with high IQ and excellent court vision. He had several slick dimes Friday night and at times carved up a West Memphis defense that struggled to keep him out of the lane.
6’0 Jr Nakai Johnson – Parkview
Nakai was feeling himself Friday night. If he was given any space it was hand down, man down as he buried 6 big threes in route to a 20 point performance. His ability to space the floor from beyond the arc will be key for a Parkview team with play-makers like Freeman and Taylor.
5’5 Sr Cavin Paige – West Memphis
The senior point guard for the Blue Devils proved to be nearly impossible to guard, and when he got in the lane good things happened for West Memphis. He had several impressive drop off and kick out dimes off his drives and showed no fear in going all the way to the basket to finish at the rim. He showed some range from beyond the arc and was an absolute pest defensively the entire game. He finished with 22 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals on the night.
6’6 Jr Chris Moore – West Memphis
Coming in to the shootout, this was a name to watch. The physically imposing power forward holds offers from Arkansas, Memphis, Iowa State and others. He opened up the game with a monster two handed alley-oop jam that set the tone early for the Blue Devils, and he closed the quarter with a buzzer beating pull-up jumper. He was an animal on the boards and was unstoppable in the paint. Despite battling foul trouble from the start, the big man finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
*Honorable Mention shout-out to 6’9 Sr Latre Morrison of Parkview who was a big factor inside for the Vikings. He was active on the offensive glass, altered shots on the defensive end, and had a big-time dunk that got the crowd going. Also noteworthy was West Memphis 5’11 Sr Corliss Brewer who had 14 points on three 3-pointers and some huge steals for the Blue Devils.