Quincy Shootout: Top Underclassmen (Missouri)
The Quincy Shootout is one of the premier mid-season classics in Illinois that takes place annually in the tradition-rich confines of Blue Devil Gym. Top programs stretching from Tennessee all the way to the West Coast bring high end talent…
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Continue ReadingThe Quincy Shootout is one of the premier mid-season classics in Illinois that takes place annually in the tradition-rich confines of Blue Devil Gym. Top programs stretching from Tennessee all the way to the West Coast bring high end talent and excitement to the packed stands in this two-day hoops extravaganza. This year’s event was as impressive as ever. Missouri was well represented with 5 of the state’s top programs in action, and if the performance of the youngsters was any indication the future is certainly in good hands. Here are the Show-Me-State underclassmen who made their mark throughout the weekend:
6’7 Jr Jaden Jones | St. Louis Christian
I have watched a ton of basketball and evaluated hundreds of players over the last few months, and Jaden Jones is one of the top five that I have seen. A 6’7 guard with tremendous length, he has positional versatility on both ends of the floor. He is an ELITE shooter with deep range. He absolutely torched Hamilton Heights (one of the best teams in the country) finishing with 25 points that included at least 6 from long distance. He can handle the ball as well and is efficient with the one dribble pull-up and has nice touch on the teardrop floater.
6’7 Jr Jordan Nesbitt | St. Louis Christian
Jordan continues to improve and impress against stiff competition. He is getting comfortable and dangerous running the point. He was very strong in ball-screen action against Hamilton Heights. When he gets the edge he is just too strong and athletic to be stopped. When he draws the extra defender he is a very underrated passer that always finds the open man. He is also starting to really use his size and strength to expose mismatches. It was nice to see him crashing the offensive glass and posting up smaller guards on the block.
6’8 Jr Mayen Maen | St. Louis Christian
How many standout juniors does St. Louis Christian have, seriously? Mayen has all the intangibles to be a highly sought after prospect. 6’8, long, bouncy, perimeter skills, and can defend multiple positions. He is a deadeye shooter from the corners and burned Hamilton Heights from each side. He also had a jaw-dropping put back dunk that showed off his athleticism.
6’2 So Damien Mayo | Chaminade
Who’s next up in the long line of standout guards to come out of the Chaminade program? It very well may be Damien Mayo. He has the body of an upperclassmen, strong and filled out. Just a couple weeks ago, I saw him put on an impressive shooting display against Trinity. At Quincy, he impressed with his ball skills and athleticism. He woke the early morning crowd up with a steal and absolute hammer slam. He followed that up by putting an exclamation point on a win over Corliss with back to back dunks, including a nice reverse throw-down.
6’8 So Tarris Reed Jr | Chaminade
How is Tarris a sophomore? 6’8, strong, and skilled. He was dominant in Saturday’s win over Corliss and was named the game MVP. He controlled the glass on both ends, finished multiple times with defenders literally hanging on him, and had a couple nice post moves with polish that is usually reserved for a senior.
6’10 So Jevon Porter | Father Tolton
Jevon is so much fun to watch. Someone his age, at his size, should not be able to do the things that he can do. Defensively, he really does a nice job of using his length to alter or block shots without fouling. Offensively, aside from finishing dump-offs and put-backs he is a perimeter player with impressive ball skills. He led the break a couple times in transition comfortably and shimmied a smooth in-and-out dribble in the open court that left a defender in the dust. He has an effortless stroke from three and knocked down a couple big ones. He is going to be very, very good.