Certified Scorers from the Mayhem in the Plex
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The old adage says “defense wins championships”. However, teams have to score more than the other team to win. The Mayhem in the Plex saw an assortment of players who know how to score ball. Some are versatile at scoring…
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Continue ReadingThe old adage says “defense wins championships”. However, teams have to score more than the other team to win. The Mayhem in the Plex saw an assortment of players who know how to score ball. Some are versatile at scoring while others use more traditional means. These eight preps found various ways to put points on the board for their team. These are eight of the certified scorers from the Mayhem in the Plex.
Donald Butler Donald Butler 6'5" | SF Walker | 2022 State LA (6’5″ – Showtime Elite 2022 – Walker)
Butler kept up his high offensive input on the Prep Hoops Circuit during the Mayhem in the Plex. While he scores without a play being run for him, his output is essential to the success of Showtime Elite. During the weekend, he scored the bulk of his points by consistently out-jumping other wings and post for putbacks. The other points came in transition situations where he either punished the rim, finished with a layup, or went to the line. Butler had double digits because of those reasons and I do not see that stopping as the grassroots season progresses.
Trevor Haddock (6’0″ – The Hoop 2023 – Southlake Carroll)
Now Haddock is not a player who is going to score a lot by beating players off the dribble or with a lot of one-on-one dribble moves. What he is going to do is move without the ball and find spots to shoot. In Fort Worth, that is exactly what he did. Haddock may have been be the best shooter of the weekend and definitely the most consistent with his preparation to shoot mixed with his movement. Haddock rarely missed in the games that I saw. The Hoop ’23/Southlake Carroll guard is very dangerous from three when he is on the floor.
Jordan DeCuir Jordan DeCuir 6'3" | CG Zachary | 2022 State LA (6’2″ – Hustle Hard Elite 2022 – Zachary)
Decuir is a problem at every level in the offensive frontcourt. His weekend at Mayhem was evidence of that. Decuir was a mismatch for everyone who tried to defend him in the open court using a combination of eurosteps and speed to avoid defenders. He can penetrate and elevate over defenders or absorb blows and get to the free throw line. He also displayed the ability to shoot from deep. Before he left Mayhem in the Plex, Jordan made observers aware that he can get buckets on multiple levels and in various ways.
D’kylan Hildreth (6’3″ – Primetime Hoops 2023 – Smackover)
Hildreth definitely scored in several ways during his weekend in Fort Worth. The wing from Arkansas would have a couple of putbacks around the rim, a layup or two in transition, make a breakaway dunk, and drain an occasional three and before you know it, he is up between 15 or 20 points. Hildreth is also active in the passing lanes which helps him get easy buckets as well. He is an athletic wing who gets it done on offense and defense. Not bad for a player who alternates between 7-on-7 and grassroots ball all summer.
Kentrelle Royston Kentrelle Royston 6'3" | PG Aldine Nimitz | 2023 State TX (6’2″ – North Houston Bandits 2022 – Nimitz)
Royston is one of the fastest guards I have seen in the last two years. He can get to the rim in a hiccup from the top of the arc. Royston used an assortment of finishes around the rim and made life difficult for whoever was attempting to guard him in the halfcourt. He even made a couple of short mid-range jumpers to vary his attack. His ability to score in the open floor was just as good as his penetration. Because he changes ends quickly, Royston put constant pressure on the defenses North Houston played. He is a scorer to be feared on the hardwood.
Khaliq Pulluiam (6’3″ – Arkansas Mavericks 2022 – Raytown)
Pulluiam is a two guard with a lot of swag. During Mayhem weekend, Khaliq let it fly from anywhere and usually made it more times than not. Pulluiam liked shooting the three and found success when the defense was late in their rotations. What he did best during Mayhem was score in transition. Pulluiam was effective at running the lanes and finishing with either hand and was the beneficiary of several outlet passes which made Maverick opponents pay. His confidence is what makes him dangerous. Pulluiam believes he can score on anyone and probably can.
Sundquist Church (6’1″ – Arkansas Mavericks 2022 – Nortide)
Church was no slouch either as part of the Mavericks 1-2 combo. He was strong to the bucket and could not be stopped from getting to his right hand. Church has a strong upper body and pushed defenders by initiating contact when penetrating the paint. His constant body blows from driving to the cup caused defenders to play off. When that happened, he peppered them with threes from wings of the arc. He is a better ballhandler that I initially thought and his unwavering ability to drive right punished defenses. Church basically scored how he wanted during the Mayhem in the Plex.
Darel Reece (6’1″ – Texas Takeover 2022 Elite (Greg) – College Park)
The guard from College Park had one of those weekends where he did a little bit of everything to put the ball in the hoop. He released early in transition to get in position for corner threes. Reece penetrated from the corner and shot a push shot-type floater in the lane. He scored from putbacks in the lane and short jumpers. Reece also nailed a three pointers in the half court set. He knows how to score in various ways and was a main cog in TX Takeover either winning or competing. Whatever it takes to put the ball in the hole is what Reece does.
There are plenty of ways to score on the basketball floor. These preps were definitely some of the best of weekend in Fort Worth at doing so. Look for these preps to have continued success as some of the best scorers on the Prep Hoops Circuit.