Hardwood Classic I: Friday Standouts
The first session of the Hardwood Classic got underway on Friday at the Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City. There was a lot of talent in the building. Best Game: In 16U pool play, Team YOBO met 810 Varsity (Cherepkai) in…
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Continue ReadingThe first session of the Hardwood Classic got underway on Friday at the Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City. There was a lot of talent in the building.
Best Game: In 16U pool play, Team YOBO met 810 Varsity (Cherepkai) in an excellent battle that went down to the final seconds. YOBO has an excellent Missouri trio in 6’6 2022 guard Deuce Roberts of St Michael the Archangel and the excellent Blue Springs duo of 5’7 point guard Kyle Bruce Kyle Bruce 5'7" | PG Blue Springs | 2022 State MO and 6’5 power forward Ikenna Ezekgu.
On this day, 810 Varsity proved up to the challenge as 6’3 2022 forward Bennett Stiritz lead a spirited effort. He scored a team high 21 poshowcased a nice combination of slashing drives, 3-point shooting and off the ball cutting for layups. Guard Tony Osburn Tony Osburn 6'2" | CG Mound City | 2022 State MO of Mound City scored 13 points as he flashed the 3-point stroke and a nice turnaround jumper in the post over a smaller defender. In the end, the hero was 6’2 guard Boston Sanders Boston Sanders 6'1" | SG Odessa | 2022 State MO who drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give 810 Varsity a thrilling 72-69 victory.
TheBackcourt: The talented duo of 6’2 Anton Brookshire Anton Brookshire 6'2" | PG Kickapoo | 2021 State #146 Nation MO and 6’1 Isaac Haney Isaac Haney 6'1" | CG Kickapoo | 2021 State MO of Yanders Law will be playing their senior years together at Kickapoo. Haney will join Brookshire after leading Dora to the Class 1 state championship. They have been playing together for years for Yanders Law and their chemistry on the court was clearly evident. Brookshire is a potent scorer with great quickness and the ability to drop dimes; many of them going to Haney who is an elite scorer with extended shooting range. Kickapoo will be fun to watch next season.
A few other players who caught my eye on Friday:
Trevon Brazile Trevon Brazile 6'8" | SF Kickapoo | 2021 State #213 Nation MO 6’7 Yanders Law Blue 17U: A talented combo forward from Kickapoo with a tremendous upside. He showed you 3-point range, his explosiveness with a big tomahawk dunk over a defender, good ball handling skills and the ability to block shots and protect the rim. He has all of the tools to go along with his size and athleticism. Has picked up a couple of Division I offers, but that should increase.
Luke Northweather Luke Northweather 6'9" | PF Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO 6’9 Mid Mo Elite 16U: A highly skilled 2022 post player from Blair Oaks who is just difficult to handle in the low post without a double team. He has excellent footwork and the ability to score in many ways. His passing skills are also elite as he keeps his teammates involved.
Ryce Piper Ryce Piper 6'2" | PG Hartville | 2021 State MO 6’2 All Missouri Attack 16U: Very skilled point guard from Hartville who plays the game with a nice and easy flow. His court vision is excellent and he can knock down 3-pointers. He also moves without the ball well.
Malik Johnson Malik Johnson 6'3" | SG North Kansas City | 2021 State MO 6’3″ 810 Varsity: A smooth combo guard from North Kansas City who had things working for him of Friday evening with a big scoring outing. He’s long and lanky and can easily get into the lane for layups and mid-range jumpers. His 3-point stroke was also solid as well. He’s very fluid in all of his movements.
All Wright 6’0 SSA Elite Black 16U: An incoming 2024 guard who had a tremendous opening game with 25 points in a victory while playing two levels up. He has a pure stroke from 3-point range with a quick release and the ability to find the open spots. He plays with a lot of poise and savvy.
Ethan Jones 6’2 MoKan 2022: An impressive young guard from Branson who plays with a lot of savvy with and without the ball. He is a nice 3-point shooter who knows how to find the right spots.