O’Fallon Shootout: Friday Standouts
The 2019 O’Fallon Shootout started on Friday night with a trio of games. This has become one of the elite shootouts in the state in just a few years. Loaded field of teams and prospects. Here are the Friday Standouts!…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019 O’Fallon Shootout started on Friday night with a trio of games. This has become one of the elite shootouts in the state in just a few years. Loaded field of teams and prospects. Here are the Friday Standouts!
SF Donovan Clay (Alton – 2019)
Clay is one of the best available wings on the board in Illinois. The 6’6” senior small forward had a ton of JUCO coaches in the gym to see him. He displayed his all-around game in this one. Has expanded his skill set a lot over the last year. Still a wing that can space the floor with his shooting, but the handles have gotten significantly better. Pushed it quite a few times in the open floor kicking to shooters. Probably the best we have seen him pass. Was active on the offensive glass for put backs including a huge dunk. Stuffed the stat sheet for 13 points (5-8 FG), 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
SG Malik Smith (Alton – 2019)
Smith was a little less efficient with his shots, but still managed a quality outing. The athletic shooting guard played both on and off the ball. Drilled most of his field goals from three going 3-8 from deep. Also got to the line throughout. Did a good job on the defensive glass. He had 15 points and 9 rebounds.
PG Terrion Murdix (Springfield Southeast – 2019)
Murdix is a point guard who has committed to Chicago State. The quick and shifty guard put himself on the map last March leading Southeast to a state title game apperance. He is excellent at using his speed going end to end in transition. Always has his head up looking to find teammates. In the half court he uses his slick handles to manipulate ball screens setting up jumpers or slippery drives to the cup. Lived in the lane scoring with acrobatic layups and runners. Got to the line hitting 9-10. Struggled shooting from three going 0-8 from deep. He had 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in a win.
SG James Dent (Springfield Southeast – 2021)
Dent opened our eyes with his play. We had heard some buzz, but this was our first eval of the rangy 6’4” wing. Very projectable frame to add strength and continue growing. Clean looking shot from deep and that is his strength at this stage. Knocked down 3-6 from beyond arc. Shot it with a ton of confidence. Also had a nice take through Clay for a bucket. Potential down the road defensively. Recorded 11 points and 3 steals.
PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
The Ohio State commit is the top senior in Illinois and he showed a lot of the reasons why against O’Fallon. His combination of skill and athleticism allow him to play bigger than his 6’7” height. Excellent at body positioning on the block. Seals his man off and finishes through contact. Plus rebounder with his quick second jump and is a monster presence as a shot blocker with outstanding timing. I came away very impressed with his passing finding cutters and shooters. Stuffed the stat sheet for 17 points (7-9 FG), 13 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 4 assists.
PF Keith Randolph (Belleville West – 2019)
Randolph is an Illinois football commit who is also a beast in the paint. The big bodied post does a great job at mauling his opponent for position and scoring with touch. Nimble footwork on the block and just like Liddell is great at sealing off his man for easy finishes. Gets to the charity stripe quite a bit. He had 13 points and 5 rebounds.
PF Shaun Riley (O’Fallon – 2021)
Riley is a prospect that peaked our interest after watching him compete inside against Liddell. The 6’5” bouncy sophomore didn’t back down. He was explosive with his second jump getting five offensive rebounds. Hit a short jumper and cut to the hoop for a couple other buckets going for 10 points and 11 rebounds.
PG Drew Tebbe (O’Fallon – 2021)
Tebbe is another sophomore who stepped up. The O’Fallon 5’8” point guard was on fire from three as he went 4-4 from deep. Plus shooter that relocates to get open looks. He had 14 points.
PG Ray’Sean Taylor (Collinsville – 2020)
Taylor lived up to his latest top 15 ranking with his play on Friday night. Super athletic point guard who can score at all three levels. Acrobatic at the rim making difficult layups around defenders. Terrific body control finishing with either hand. Floater is another major weapon. Range on his three point shot. Good pull up jump shooter with consistent mechanics. Made several sweet passes in transition including a few his teammates dropped. He went for 31 points (11-23 FG) and 10 rebounds.
SG Marshall Harrison (Collinsville – 2019)
Harrison is an under recruited 6’3” shooting guard with a strong and athletic frame. Came off the bench in this one to be a major weapon. Physical finishing down low. Big time rebounder for his size especially on the offensive glass. Did well as a wing finisher in transition. Only hit 1-3 from deep, but shows he should be an effective shooter in college. Willing defender. He had 18 points and 9 rebounds.
PG Larry Hemmingway (Springfield Lanphier – 2019)
Hemmingway had the game of his career on Friday! The 5’10” point guard is a long and lanky guard. Was absolutely lights out shooting! Everything he put up from three went in. Was raining in pull up threes like Steph Curry. Clean and fluid release on his shot. He mixed in a couple takes, but the majority of his points were threes as he went 7-11 from deep en route to 35 points! Worth a look for small colleges.