JUCO District 16: Standout Performers
The District 16 Quarterfinals were held Monday at Rend Lake College. This is always a great day of JUCO basketball in one of the best areas for junior college hoops in the country. There were 50+ college coaches in attendance…
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Continue ReadingThe District 16 Quarterfinals were held Monday at Rend Lake College. This is always a great day of JUCO basketball in one of the best areas for junior college hoops in the country. There were 50+ college coaches in attendance checking out the four games. We will have plenty of breakdowns from the day, but we start with our JUCO District 16: Standout Performers!
Eric Boone (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Boone has continued to see his stock soar throughout the season. The 6’2” combo guard was dynamic scoring from all three levels. Was comfortable letting it fly from three and got to the rack equally well with a burst winning in one on one situations. Has the strength to finish through opponents in traffic. Also displayed a passing feel with several dishes to players on the move. Even had one out of bounds pass off a defender and to himself for a bucket. Boone had 23 points.
Sydney Curry (John A Logan – Freshman)
Curry is built like an NFL defensive end. The freshman is 6’8” with grown man strength. He was dominant to open their game against Kaskaskia. The physical four man used his brute force to power his way through defenders. He is a big man with size that has tremendous mobility and quickness around the hoop. Runs the floor. Can take his man off the bounce from the mid-post. Seals off his opponent on the block for scores. Powerful and efficient around the cup. High level rebounder that snatches them with force. Went or 11 points.
‘Jacob Thompson (Kaskaskia – Sophomore)
Thompson is listed at 6’8” 230 pounds. He has a quality build with broad shoulders and mobility as a pick and pop four. We were impressed with him in the preseason and in his last game at KC he displayed a lot of the intriguing tools that will make him a solid D2 prospect. Pick and pop four that stretches the floor. Knocked down an array of threes off the catch. Also brings toughness and grit inside. Thompson had 19 points.
Marcus Garrett (Wabash Valley – Sophomore)
Garrett impressed the number of D1 coaches in attendance. The former Hillcrest High School standout was electric with his scoring pop. The 6’1” powerfully built guard drilled three after three. In total he made five of them. Plus shooter that can create his own shot. Also scored at the rim multiple times using his strength. More of a scoring point guard than a passer. He had 23 points.
Eric Moenkhaus (Lincoln Trail – Freshman)
At 6’3” this freshman two guard has a bright future. Crafty guard that has crisp ball handling especially when working around ball screens. Loves the floater game which he can take and make with either hand. Torched his opponent form three point range with four of them. Skilled two guard that should continue to get better. Finished with 20 points.
Kevin Osawe (Vincennes – Sophomore)
Osawe has been one of the most impressive prospects we have seen this season. The 6’6” wing from Canada has excellent physical tools with his length, size, and athleticism. He didn’t shoot it as well as he usually does only hitting a pair of threes, but every single time the ball leaves his hands you think it is going in. Feathery touch from the outside. He actually showed more to his game with his ability to score off the dribble on straight line takes. One of his best plays of the day came off a steal where he threaded the needle for a bounce pass leading to a bucket. He is also a very effective rebounder from his wing spot. Went for 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Craig Porter (Vincennes – Sophomore)
Porter had the attention of a lot of the college coaches in the house. This 6’1” lead guard displayed an all-around floor game from the point. Absolutely love what he brings to the table on the defensive end. Always stays in front of his man beating them to the spot. Also blocks shots in the paint well for a guard when his opponent tries to go up for a score. Liked his passing feel especially in the half court making quality decisions with the ball. As a scorer it was all done in the paint winning off the dribble with combination moves and tons of difficult shots in the paint. Also got to the foul line en route to 20 points.
Jalen Moore (Olney Central – Sophomore)
It wasn’t Moore’s best effort, but the high scoring 5’10” point guard still had glimpses of what makes him an intriguing D1 prospect. The lefty is a quick twitched point guard that got to the line at a high rate throughout the night. Hit several tough jumpers including a pair of threes and baseline shot. Pushed it with his speed in the open floor and dished to teammates in the drive and kick. Moore had 16 points.
Kevin Caldwell (SWIC – Sophomore)
Caldwell is a prospect we saw a ton during his high school career at Alton. The 6’0” point guard was fantastic leading his team to an upset win and advancing to the semis. He did it on both ends of the floor. Offensively he had the three ball falling knocking in a trio of them. He combined that with his ability to get to the rack with quite a burst. Scored several times in the lane. Rebounds well for a guard. Defensively he did about as well as you can expect against Moore. Made it tough on him all night long. Caldwell had 21 points.
Juanya Frank (SWIC – Freshman)
Frank wasn’t in the roster book, but we made a point to find out his name after with the way he played. The long and wiry two guard has a silky smooth offensive game that includes a lethal mid-range pull up game. Also could stretch it out to three at times. Played with a ton of confidence all night and has a bright future. Finished with 19 points.