MLK Invitational: Top Performers
The MLK Invitational took place at the Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland on Monday and we had the opportunity to drop by the event for its last three games. The talent on hand featured some…
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Continue ReadingThe MLK Invitational took place at the Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland on Monday and we had the opportunity to drop by the event for its last three games. The talent on hand featured some of the best players in the state and as you might expect, it was those guys that made the biggest impact in their respective contests. Clackamas avenged a loss in the Les Schwab Invitational to get past Crater, Jefferson dominated Westview, and Barlow shot almost 63 percent from the field in running past Grant in the nightcap.
In attendance were Oregon head coach Dana Altman and Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle, who both arrived to watch the Crater/Clackamas Bittle/Gregg rematch as well as some of the latter two games.
Here’s a look at the top performers on the day.
Jesse White (2020 Barlow)
Since the turn of the decade, there may be no player hotter than White. The 6-foot-1 guard has simply been on a tear since New Year’s Day, making up for the sub-par performance at the Les Schwab Invitational which was largely influenced by him coming off the flu. White has been hitting his patented long range bombs but is also taking it strong to the hoop and finishing over multiple players. One thing the senior does really well is finish with the opposite hand on drives, something which really catches defenders off guard. And what’s also clear is having made his college commitment to Western Oregon, White is seemingly playing more freely – and like the Jesse White we’ve gotten used to the past few years in high school. He finished the night with 34 points on 15-for-21 shooting, 4-for-8 from three-point range.
Ben Gregg (2021 Clackamas)
The last time Clackamas played Crater in the LSI, it was billed as a showdown between Gregg and Nate Bittle and it was the latter that did most of the impressing that day. On Monday night, it was Gregg who came away on top. Especially in the second half, the 6-foot-8 junior put his game into high gear and lifted his team to victory. Gregg had it going from everywhere on the floor, finishing strong under the basket, attacking from the perimeter, and also draining NBA-range threes – typically all with Bittle guarding him on the floor. The thing with Gregg is that he’s not just a one-man show either as he consistently trusts his teammates to make plays – as indicated by his team-leading four assists.
Nate Bittle (2021 Crater)
Considering he scored 41 points in the previous matchup against Clackamas, it was a hard act to follow but Bittle had himself a solid outing this time around. It’s clear that Bittle no longer is settling for long range bombs as he immediately attacked the basket and Gregg on Crater’s first possession and converted a traditional and-one. While he did eventually take some open threes (unfortunately not making any), Bittle effectively used his length to snatch rebounds on the offensive glass for some easy putbacks and dunks. Defensively we’ve seen him be more effective as a shot blocker but he still ended up with two rejections. So while it might have been relatively quiet by his standards – it was still a 26-point, 12-rebound night.
Nate Rawlins-Kibonge (2021 Jefferson)
The phrase “man among boys” comes to mind with Rawlins-Kibonge and that was unquestionably the case on Monday night against Westview. The 6-foot-7 junior big man was absolutely dominant inside, especially on the boards (15 rebounds, 6 offensive) and on defense (6 blocks). While the majority of Rawlins-Kibonge’s 15 points were on put-backs in the paint, it’s more-so his work on the defensive end that makes the difference for Jefferson. The Washington State commit not only used his wingspan to disrupt shots in the paint, he also got out in the passing lanes for steals. And while it’s not common that a big man is the vocal leader on the defensive end, that’s exactly what Rawlins-Kibonge is.
Evan Inglesby (2020 Barlow)
Another night, another extremely efficient night for Inglesby – what we’ve gotten accustomed to his entire high school career. The 6-foot-4 senior may be currently playing second fiddle to his friend/teammate White but it’s a role he’s grown used to and one he excels in. Against Grant, he simply played off the attention given to White and knocked down shots – 8-for-10 overall and 2-for-3 from three-point range – and when given the chance, got in transition and finished at the rim with a couple of dunks, one a two-hander with authority. Add to his 19 points three rebounds, three assists versus just one turnovers, and it was just another day at the office for Inglesby.
Erik Fraser (2020 Grant)
Up to the past few games, Fraser’s game has been a bit of feast or famine – the senior has registered some 30-point scoring games but also has had some single digit point efforts. Against Barlow, it was a rock-solid 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting, where Fraser didn’t necessarily force the action but took what the defense offered. He knocked down some good looking catch-and-shoot jumpers but also nailed a couple of nice pull-up jumpers. The 6-foot-3 senior seems to operate best when he’s not the main focus of the offense and is able to pick things up when others may be having a down night.
Marquis Cook (2023 Jefferson)
To be honest it wasn’t one of Cook’s biggest nights so far this year points wise, with only eight points in total. But the 6-foot-7 freshman had a nice all-around game grabbing eight boards and dishing out four assists, and the points he did score definitely highlighted his athleticism and leaping ability. His versatility certainly made an impression on Oregon head coach Dana Altman, who stuck around after the Crater/Clackamas game to watch Cook courtside – and subsequently offered him a scholarship after the game.