Ramey Midwest Shootout: Standout Performers
PrepHoops took in the Ramey Midwest Showdown Shootout on Saturday at Webster Groves High School. This annual event features players from Illinois, Missouri, and beyond! Checkout the standout prospects from each game here!
PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
Liddell is the top senior prospect in Illinois and the prohibited favorite to repeat as Mr. Basketball this season. The 6’7” four man started off a bit slow, but then got it rolling as the game went along. He was most effective shooting the ball making a pair of turnaround jumpers from the post and a mid-range jumper. This is the area of his game that has improved so much over the last year. He is now a plus shooter from inside the arc and an adequate one from deep although he didn’t hit one from three in this game. Monster tip dunk and a windmill to close out the night. He rebounded well in traffic with his quick jump off the floor. Also swatted shots per usual. We came away very impressed with his passing out of the post. This might be the most underrated part of his game. His stat line was 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 5 dimes.
PG Caleb Love (CBC, MO – 2020)
Love is a combo guard with size at 6’3”. It was a really slow start for the nationally ranked guard as he couldn’t seem to get rolling. Belleville West was clearly focusing their defense on him. As the game went on he started to get rolling with a pull up jumper, up and under move for a runner, and being fouled on an explosive baseline take. The fourth quarter he took over opening with a three and then consistently drawing fouls on strong takes to the rim. Most impressive play was when he went behind his back on a euro step for an and-1. Love finished with 18 points.
SG Jackson Creel (Mt. Vernon – 2020)
Creel is a 6’1” shooting guard that can really let it fly from deep. The junior has stepped up in his role on this squad early in the season. He is definitely the floor spacer for the Rams and he did that very effectively against Monroe City connecting on four triples off the catch and on dribble handoffs. He had 15 points.
SG CE Talton (Monroe City, MO – 2019)
Talton was extremely impressive for Monroe City. This 6’2” shooting guard is a natural scorer that can play both on and off the ball. Ultra smooth player with decent length. Clean shooting stroke pulling up off the bounce and can hit from three as well. Easy acceleration off the dribble making his drives look effortless. Scored 29 points including a length of the court drive to send the game to OT. Also rebounds well from his guard spot.
SF Donovan Clay (Alton – 2019)
Clay is a 6’6” small forward that was very impressive. The state’s #37 overall prospect has been known throughout his career as a three and D guy. Floor spacer that can defend multiple positions. Definitely showed that again hitting a pair of triples and doing a nice job on the defensive end including a pair of blocks. What stood out the most to me was his ability to get to the rim. He came out super aggressive showing off his tightened handles. Was slippery through the lane getting to the rim for multiple and-1 conversions. Crashed the glass hard including a monster tip dunk. Clay went for 20 points and 8 boards. One of the best JUCO candidates in southern Illinois.
SG Elijah Hicks (Jennings, MO – 2019)
Hicks is a big bodied 6’4” wing that plays with a lot of physicality. He loves to attack downhill. At times he can be a bit out of control, but more times than not he does damage to the opponent when getting in the paint. A lot of crafty and powerful takes in the lane that he finished with runners or layups. Almost seeks out contact. Had a cross over for a pull up mid-range jumper. Another impressive move was his coast to coast take off a defensive board. He had 20 points and 6 rebounds.
PG Isaiah Ervin (Hazelwood Central, MO – 2019)
Ervin moved across the river to the Missouri side for his senior campaign. The slick handling 6’2” point guard put his team on his back for stages of their game against Lee (AL). He has deep range on his three point shot with a quick release. Creative with the ball in the lane. His defense is what really intrigues us. He puts so much pressure on the opposing guards. The senior had multiple steals that he took the other way for layups. Ervin scored 24 points.
F Kobe Brown (Lee, AL – 2019)
This Texas A&M commit is a big bodied 6’7” combo forward that has a high skill level. For all that he brings to the table his best asset might be his passing. You rarely see players at his size be able to pass the ball like he does. He had several touch passes for assists which were incredible. Also an excellent distributor out of the post finding shooters and cutters. Powerful forward attacking the hoop asserting his will on the opponent on the block as well as going downhill. Hit several turnaround jumpers out of the post, but wasn’t as effective once his range had to be extended. He had 16 points and 6 rebounds.
SF Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis – 2019)
Hargrove is an athletic small forward that will be headed to St. Louis University next year. The 6’6” small forward wasn’t quite as dominant as he was a few weeks back when we saw him in Springfield, but he didn’t need to be as his team blew out their opponent right from the jump. Hargrove had a few spectacular dunks including one off a steal where he went behind his back and flushed it home. Several other explosive takes off the bounce that he finished with force. Also connected on a runner and a mid-range jumper flashing to the middle. Hargrove finished the game with 14 points.
SG Anthony Green (Springfield Parkview, MO – 2021)
Green was one of the lone bright spots for Springfield Parkview in their game against East St. Louis. This 6’3” two guard is an excellent shooter! He hit three from beyond the arc including one from super deep. Easy release on the shot. Also drilled several shorter jumpers. Went for 13 points.
PG Amorey Womack (Webster Groves, MO – 2019)
Womack is a Tennessee State commit that has elevated his game over the last year. The senior is a strong and athletic combo guard who was strong taking it to the cup. He was an aggressive scorer all game long. Womack also connected on a pair of threes. He had 18 points.
PF Gary Clark (Cardinal Ritter, MO – 2020)
Clark is a prospect we are really intrigued by. The 6’7” four man needs to add strength to be most effective long term, but there is a ton to like here. He has a high skill level and is a big time mid-range shooter. Drilled five shots in that 15-18 foot range. The mobile post has a lot of versatility on both ends of the floor. He scored 18 points.