Gateway All-American Tournament: Sunday Highlights
Prep Hoops Missouri was in the house at the Center of St. Louis Sports for the final day of the Gateway All-American Tournament. The Marcus Denmon Elite program reigned supreme on the high school front as it took home two…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri was in the house at the Center of St. Louis Sports for the final day of the Gateway All-American Tournament. The Marcus Denmon Elite program reigned supreme on the high school front as it took home two of the three championship trophies in the 16U and 17U divisions. The Knights Basketball Academy out of St. Louis took home the 15U championship.
Here is a look at the championship game standouts:
17U: Marcus Denmon Elite 57 Gateway 41
Prep Hoops Missouri Game MVP: Dez McKinney (Marcus Denmon Elite)
It was an impressive showing by Marcus Denmon Elite in the championship game as they controlled the game from start to finish with its superior guard play. They played four guards most of the time and all four were capable ball handlers, passers, playmakers and decision makers. When their half-court offense was stagnant in the first half, they created buckets with defense as they converted turnovers to easy transition baskets.
The quartet of McKinney (Raytown South), Ben Palacios (St. Michael), Maricus Grant (Battle) and Zach Nelson (Shawnee Mission North) worked well together on both ends of the court.
16U: Marcus Denmon Elite 53 Team Ramey CCM 48
Prep Hoops Missouri Game MVP: Quran Taylor and Najee Williams (Marcus Denmon Elite)
Marcus Denmon Elite dominated the first 23 minutes of the game as it built a 17-point lead over Team Ramey. They attacked the basket on offense and utilized a very effective three-quarters court zone trap back into a zone defense that was very effective.
The 6’2″ Taylor provided strength and toughness at both ends of the floor to lead Marcus Denmon Elite. He was very good in the pick and roll as he consistently got downhill on the drive and scored or drew fouls. The 6’3″ Williams had an excellent game with his athleticism and activity. He was one of the best players in the tournament in finishing in transition and he also knocked down a nice corner 3-pointer in the first half.
While Marcus Denmon Elite dominated the first two-thirds of the game, it was Team Ramey that came on strong in the later part of the game as it staged a ferocious rally to cut the lead to two points late in the game. Team Ramey put on a full court press that netted several turnovers and transition opportunities that enabled them to nearly steal the victory and the championship trophy.
Guard Freddie Cooper got things rolling with some nice 3-point shooting late in the game while thick 6’2″ wing Dylan Martin really fueled the rally with his energy on press and on the offensive boards. He was a real catalyst.
15U: Knights Basketball Academy 55 Illinois Bears 49
Prep Hoops Missouri Game MVP: Brennan Lovette and Brian Taylor (Knights Basketball Academy)
This was a competitive game between two pretty evenly matched teams. The margin never seemed to get more than five or six points either way and the lead changed hands several times in the first half. In the end, the Knights got several big plays from Lovette, a versatile 6’4″ 2022 who can score inside or knock down perimeter jumpers. He hit a big 3-pointer late in the game when the Knights were clinging to a one-point lead to push the lead to four and give his team the breathing room it needed to win the title. The 6’2″ Taylor is an athletic combo guard who can make it happen on both ends of the court. He can slash to the basket and move well without the ball.
Day’s Best Sequence: The 16U bracket play game between Team Ramey CCM and Gateway 15U featured a last minute duel between two talented young point guards in 5’11” 2021 Ilyaas “Biscuit” Harris of Team Ramey and 5’9″ Drenin Dinkins of Gateway. With the game hanging in the balance, the two point guards took over the game as they took turns making big shots and creating scoring opportunities for their teammates in a great battle of one-upsmanship. It was very entertaining to watch them match big plays down the stretch.