Intriguing Prospects from the Mountain Christian League
Over the last thirteen years, CCS, NICS, and Oaks have combined to win eleven Mountain Christian League championships. Historically, the best prospects from the MCL come from these three teams. Fortunately for me, NICS was playing Oaks and CCS this…
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Continue ReadingOver the last thirteen years, CCS, NICS, and Oaks have combined to win eleven Mountain Christian League championships. Historically, the best prospects from the MCL come from these three teams. Fortunately for me, NICS was playing Oaks and CCS this week, so I was able to catch the exciting league action between these squads. Here are the players that stood out from the three teams:
Malachi Bullington 2022, 7’0” Post NICS
Yes, you read that right, North Idaho has a 7-foot sophomore displaying his talents in the Mountain Christian League. As time goes on, every regional college and program will be making their way to small gyms in North Idaho to check this prospect out. As for his game, the saying applies; you can’t teach 7-feet. Bullington is still coming into his talent. Getting a double-double against Oaks, Bullington was able to get out and run in transition, finished easily around the basket. He can maneuver around the hoop and wisely utilized the backboard. Being a decent free throw shooter deterred defenses from going Hack-A-Shaq against him. Early foul trouble and coming off the bench led to a quiet game against CCS. However, he still finished the game with 10 points and 9 rebounds. He needs to add weight and keep working on being aggressive; clearly, Bullington will garner college attention and should be high on the list of Idaho’s class of 2022 when we release the rankings.
Jakob Peterson 2020, 6’0” Guard NICS
Peterson appears on track to be the best player in the MCL. Towards the end of the month, I will be releasing a list of the top shooters that I have seen in December. Teaser, Peterson will be on that list. Possessing the quickest release that I have seen this season, he is able to knock-down shots off the bounce, destroy zones, or make shots out of set plays run for him. He was the primary ball handler for NICS with plus handles, a killer crossover, good court vision and an ability to make plays attacking the hoop. Defensively, he has quick hands and quick feet that led to copious steals in both games. The feeling from both games was that Peterson was able to process the game faster than any other player on the court. Peterson should be a classic point guard who can shoot for a program at the next level.
Carey Sovereign 2020, 6’2” Guard CCS
Sovereign had the play of the month. Putting an unsuspecting defender on skates with his killer crossover, it is a universally acknowledged truth that if you break a defender’s ankles the way Sovereign did, you have to pull-up and shoot the 3. Sovereign completed the whole sequence to the roar of the both crowds. It was the Allen Iverson/Tyronn Lue play without the stepping over the fallen defender. Sovereign is an excellent ball handler with an uncanny ability to split double teams. Finishing with 14 points against the NICS guards, Carey is a long-armed point with good height, he can get to the lane, make floaters, and stop-and-pop for mid range jump shots. Having watched NWAC/NAIA games over the years, there should be a place for Sovereign at the next level.
Morgan O’Brien 2020, 6’4” Wing CCS
O’Brien can tell everyone he meets that he blocked a 7-footer. He can also tell friends, family, and coaches that on offense, he made several layups over a 7-footer. O’Brien is an athletic, long player. He can stretch the court by making corner 3s and has a nice offensive game around the basketball. He is a tweener without a definitive position. O’Brien led all scorers against NICS with 15 points.
Noah Palpant 2021, 6’1” Wing Oaks
An extremely high IQ player. This should come as no surprise as Oaks is one of the best coached teams in the Spokane/Kootenai area. Every player is extremely disciplined and plays the game at a high level. Palpant was able to make 3s and was physical defending Bullington. Knowing the talent that comes out of the Oaks program, it will be intriguing to see how his game blossoms over the next year and a half.
Isaiah Guillen 2020, 6’0” Guard Oaks
An athletic guard, Guillen showed that he could break a full-court zone press all by himself. He attacked the paint relentlessly going right at Bullington to create contact. He had multiple clutch, strong drives at the end of the game. Guillen was able to display his ability to guard opposing wings.