Scouting Report: Hoopers from Shreveport to Tenaha
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The big Southern winter snowstorm halted the rest of the regular season action in the Boot and slowed down the beginning of the playoffs in Texas. Now that it has warmed up, the basketball should be hot and heavy once…
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Continue ReadingThe big Southern winter snowstorm halted the rest of the regular season action in the Boot and slowed down the beginning of the playoffs in Texas. Now that it has warmed up, the basketball should be hot and heavy once again. In this edition of the scouting report, I will take a look at forwards and guards who set it off on the floor before and after the winter storm hit the south.
Roderick Brown Roderick Brown 6'7" | PF Southwood | 2022 State LA (6’6″ / Southwood / 2023)
Brown is a player who improved as the year went on. Initially, he was receiving spot minutes. However, during the tilt against top ranked Natchitoches Central, he received the start and played well. Brown is athletic and knows how to run rim-to-rim. In recent games when he rebounds, he has done a better job at keeping the ball high and does not let the ball get stripped from him. Brown has also improved in his ability to finish at the rim. With the improvements to his game, I look for Brown to be an asset for the Cowboys in the playoffs and the future.
Jaiden Hare (6’6″ / Natchitoches Central / 2021)
Hare is one of the more athletic forwards that we have in the Boot. He has a quick first and second jump and he is very hard to keep off the boards. Hare is usually the recipient of alley-oops and can sky above the rim. His best asset for the Chiefs may be that he is able to defend positions one through five. In the game against Southwood, Hare defended the post and was able to switch out on small guards. Then, he became the primary defender on one of Southwood’s primary scorers and made it tough on him. Hare may not score alot but he is a definite key to what the Chiefs want to do defensively.
Darius Young Darius Young 6'5" | PF Natchitoches Central | 2021 State LA (6’5″ / Natchitoches Central / 2021)
Last season, Young was mostly known for his rebounding and scoring around the rim. If the Chiefs win a 5A title this season, it will be because Young has blossomed offensively. Young was able to anchor himself in the paint on a set Natchitoches ran repeatedly. He used his soft touch at the rim and finished each layup or short hook. Where he surprised me was with his ability to step out beyond the arc and in the mid-range and make jumpers repeatedly. If it were not for a blocked shot and a missed free throw, he would have had a perfect night from the floor. That type of production can only help the Chiefs and chances and his to play on the next level.
Jalen Hale (6’3″ / Longview / 2023)
With no boys games until Friday in Louisiana, I was able to crossover to east Texas for some UIL playoff action between Nacogdoches-Longview. Guard Jalen Hale from Longview (who is also a 4 star wideout) was one of the stars of the game. He has a quick first step and is very athletic. He is more of a slasher but he can definitely get to the rim quickly. He has a solid vertical so he was able to score over length in the paint. On defense, he had a couple of steals and a chase down block that he skied with ease to get. Hale ended up being the Lobos leading scorer and he is a threat from anywhere on the floor because of the way he plays both sides of the ball.
Charles Hervey (6’7″ / Nacogdoches / 2023)
Even though Hervey’s team took the L on Tuesday night, Hervey might have been the most impressive player on the floor. After a slow start where he did not score for the first twelve minutes of the game, Hervey got fouled. From there on, it appeared as if his game came to life. He made a three, got fouled attempting to post up, and had a putback layup. Hervey used his drop step and his length to finish easily at the rim also. On defense, he blocked shots in and out of his area. Hervey seemlingly got to everything. He was also paramount in the Dragons late run to win the game. If he continues to improve on what I saw, Hervey may be a future top 100 player in the Lone Star state.
Other players who made an impression:
De’Marcus Washington (6’1″ / Longview / 2021)
Long and lenghty guard who can shoot the three ball. Washington deflects passes and also makes it hard for smaller guards to enter passes into the post. Very heady guard who knows how to play the game. He is a three and D type of player.
Caed Liebengood Caed Liebengood 6'4" | 205 lbs | SG Trinity School of Texas | 2021 TX (6’4″ / Longview / 2021)
Dead eye corner three shooter. Cannot be left alone shooting anywhere on the floor actually. Not ultra quick but can put the ball on the deck. Liebengood can also improve his handle in one-on-one situations where he is closely guarded. He has a strong upper body and is not afraid to rebound in traffic.
Eddie Cross (6’2″ / Nacogdoches / 2021)
The Dragon quarterback likes to shoot the ball from deep. He rebounds well for a guard and does not have a problem absorbing contact from others. Uses his strength to get to the cup or get in a position where he can make a play.
The UIL playoffs continue this weekend with the regional quarterfinals taking place while the LHSAA playoffs get started for the boys this Friday with bi-district pairings.