JUCO District 16: Tuesday Standouts
PrepHoops attended the District 16 JUCO Tournament on Tuesday at Rend Lake College. This event annually features some of the top junior college talent in the Midwest. Here are the top performers from the quarterfinals! We will have more extensive…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoops attended the District 16 JUCO Tournament on Tuesday at Rend Lake College. This event annually features some of the top junior college talent in the Midwest. Here are the top performers from the quarterfinals! We will have more extensive scouting on the prospects as the week goes on.
G Keith Clemons (Vincennes – Sophomore)
Clemons is one of the more coveted JUCO prospects on the board. There were quite a few mid-major and high-major coaches there to check him out. This 6’1” combo guard is a lock down defender with tenacity. Moves very well laterally on the defensive end and gets into his opponent. Offensively he started off a bit slow and then got it rolling. This sophomore can really shoot it pulling up off the bounce from both mid-range and three. Balance on the shot and consistent mechanics. Drilled an array of them in the second half on his way to 20 points.
PF Lony Francis (Vincennes – Sophomore)
Francis is a 6’7” post with long arms and an angular build. He knows his game and sticks to it. Goes to his hook shot over and over again. Was unstoppable with it in the paint throughout the game. The lefty is very fluid with it and gets right into his shot as soon as he touches the ball. Opens wide in the paint calling for the ball. Efficient on the block and is a quality rebounder. Will need to add counters to that hook shot going forward. He had 16 points.
PG Demarquis Henry (Shawnee – Freshman)
Henry is a former Zion Benton standout who is a quick scoring point guard. Pushes with his speed and short area quickness. Proved to be an improved shooter knocking down an array of pull up shots including multiple threes en route to 17 points.
PF Parker Dortch (Kaskaskia – Sophomore)
Dortch must bring his best for when I am in the house. The 6’7” four man was outstanding earlier in the season and was just as good in our second viewing of him. He isn’t the most athletic prospect but with his combination of strength and skill he gets the job done. Knocked down several pick/pop jumpers showing range on his shot. Also was tough inside finishing through contact. He had 24 points.
PG Jamal Thomas (Kaskaskia – Sophomore)
Thomas is another former Illinois prep prospect that we saw on Tuesday. This point guard set the tone on both ends of the floor. He forced OCC’s star into tough shots and did the best job he could on the defensive end. Offensively he got in the lane for and-1s and scoop shoots. Tough as nails kid. He had 19 points.
PG Jalen Moore (Olney Central College – Freshman)
Moore is a tiny 5’8” point guard that is a dynamic scorer for OCC. The freshman point guard has put up monster scoring numbers as a freshman. He had to work for them in this one, but still managed to put points on the board. This lefty is a shifty and crafty guard with exceptional short area quickness. Takes a lot of difficult step back shots, but also hit on his fair share of them on his way to 20 points.
SG Zion Morgan (Wabash Valley – Sophomore)
Morgan is a former Kenwood standout. The shooting guard didn’t have his best game for the majority of their quarterfinal game, but when the chips were down and his team was in trouble Zion delivered! Morgan put on a flat out show in the second half with his ability to score it at will. He shot it about as well as we have seen him from three drilling five pull ups triples in the second half alone. Sliced and diced his way through the paint. Early on he was having trouble finishing, but then he got a few to fall as the contest went on. He had 28 points including the game winner.
SG Dante Combs (Lincoln Trail – Freshman)
Combs is a long and lanky 6’4” wing with some projectability. Floor stretcher that caught fire in the second half both shooting it and scoring off the bounce. Knocked down some mid-range jumpers and got to the rim for a couple acrobatic finishers. He had 19 points.
F Vonnie Patterson (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Without question the best I have ever seen Vonnie Patterson play. He was outstanding against SWIC. The 6’4” forward is a positionless guy who defends the 2-4 spots and can almost play them on the offensive end too. He has a relentless motor that never stops. Big time defender on the perimeter and in the post. Excellent rebounder with his quickness and second jump. Snatches them aggressively out of the air. Offensively he uses that quickness in the paint to score on put backs and touches inside. Also put it on the deck a little more than we had seen in the past. Went for 13 points and 14 rebounds.
SF Jayden Scrubb (John A Logan – Freshman)
Scrubb was the best prospect in the gym. The 6’6” freshman is a no doubt high-major player. He got in some foul trouble which limited his production a bit, but he leaves you saying wow every time we evaluate him. Plays above the rim catching multiple alley-oops and throwing down several other spectacular dunks. Slippery through the lane getting to the rack. He is a capable three point shooter with a sound lefty shot. Just so explosive both with and without the ball. Elite passing feel was shown in spurts. He had 18 points.
SF Javonte Perkins (SWIC – Sophomore)
Perkins is a St. Louis University commit who has a very bright future with the Billikens. Physical small forward that likes to operate out of the mid-post area. He knocked down several jumpers from that spot with great elevation off the floor. A couple times he used crisp handles to the get to the rim. His size, strength, and athleticism combination make him intriguing at the next level. Went for 19 points.
PG Destan Williams (SWIC – Sophomore)
This former Pattonville standout in St. Louis might be small, but he has game! The floor general consistently made crisp passes to teammates for assists. Also knocked down shots from all over the floor with his jumper. Mixed in some tough takes to the hoop as he wasn’t afraid to take it in amongst the trees. He had 19 points. He is the type of competitor you want on your team!