Standout Guards – Houston Methodist Cy-Hoops Invitational Day 3
The 12th annual Houston Methodist Cy-Hoops Invitational showcased 22 boys’ varsity basketball teams in a 40-game tournament bracket over 3 days from Thursday, December 9 to Saturday, December 11. Games took place at the Berry Center of Northwest Houston along…
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Continue ReadingThe 12th annual Houston Methodist Cy-Hoops Invitational showcased 22 boys’ varsity basketball teams in a 40-game tournament bracket over 3 days from Thursday, December 9 to Saturday, December 11. Games took place at the Berry Center of Northwest Houston along with 3 other Cy-Fair ISD high schools, including Cypress Falls, Cypress Park, and Cy-Fair high school. I had the pleasure of attending Day 3 of the tournament to catch the final 6 games played at the Berry Center, watching several impressive players and teams put on fantastic performances. Here are my top standout guards in all 6 of the games I attended.
Also check out: Standout Guards | Standout Wings | Standout Bigs
#1 – Nicholas Shogbonyo Nicholas Shogbonyo 6'0" | CG Summit | 2022 TX – 6’0″ – CG – Senior – Mansfield Summit vs. Cy Falls & vs. Dickinson
Shogbonyo was a guy that really did a little of everything for Mansfield Summit in both games they played on Day 3, helping them get to a 4th place finish in the tournament. He wasn’t their leading scorer or truly dominant in any one aspect, but he did whatever was necessary to positively impact the game in various ways on both ends of the court. He provided consistent off-ball movement and hit long range shots, making his defender work and spreading the floor for this team mates to drive the lanes. He attacked the basket, putting pressure on the paint, and delivered some nice passes to keep the ball moving. I came away most impressed with his willingness to sacrifice his body on the defensive end, though. He showed strong defensive IQ and awareness, getting into position multiple times and taking hard hits near the basket, getting at least three charges called in his favor between the two games he played that day.
#5 – David Terrell David Terrell 6'4" | CG Mansfield Summit | 2023 State TX – 6’4″ – CG – Junior – Mansfield Summit vs. Cy Falls & vs. Dickinson
Terrell made an impact on the offensive end in different ways in the two games he played. In his first game against Cy Falls, Terrell was a bulldog with the ball. He had the ball in his hands quite a bit and attacked the basket from the perimeter over and over again, with no regard for who was in his way. He was effective and efficient attacking the paint too, getting tough layups to fall one after the other. In his second game against Dickinson, Summit’s offensive scheme seemed to change a bit, with Terrell playing more off the ball and he made his presence felt in various ways. He hit a 3-point shot in the 2nd quarter and then had to fight down low for the rest of his points, getting a putback to fall off an offensive rebound and giving a little a taste of what he can do in the post on another possession. It was his defense that stayed consistent throughout the day, though. He was active and a fighter, pestering any ball handler that he matched up with and coming away with steals in both games that turned into fastbreaks going the other way. Late in the 4th quarter against Dickinson, as they were fighting for the 3rd place finish in the tournament, Terrell was one of the few diving on the floor for a loose ball, doing whatever he could to give his team the win. Dickinson ended up with the 4-point win, but Terrell was a huge part of keeping Mansfield Summit so close in the end.
#3 – JaCovey Campbell JaCovey Campbell 5'8" | PG Accelerated Prep | 2024 TX – 5’8″ – PG – Junior – McKinney vs. Dickinson & vs. Cy Falls
Campbell can sometimes be overshadowed by the “Big 3” for McKinney in Ja’Kobe Walter Ja’Kobe Walter 6'5" | SG Mckinney | 2023 #15 Nation MO , Alex Anamekwe Alex Anamekwe 6'6" | PF McKinney | 2022 State TX and Thatcher McClure Thatcher McClure 6'7" | PF McKinney | 2022 State TX , but he was a vital piece in their pursuit of the 1st place finish in the Cy-Hoops Invitational. Campbell was the lead guard for the team and did a fantastic job of reestablishing pace and getting his team under control whenever their opponents seemed to be going on a run. He put his impressive point guard skills on full display, handling the ball beautifully with control and composure and delivering timely passes to his cutting bigs or rotating perimeter players time and time again. He was a consistent perimeter threat, as well, hitting at least four 3’s between the two games played that day. It wasn’t just on offense that he made his presence felt either. He willingly put his smaller body in harm’s way, taking at least two charges between both games and then really putting pressure on Dickinson’s ball handlers in the semifinals, forcing multiple turnovers and playing impressive perimeter defense to help get McKinney to the championship game.
#0 – Seth Jones Seth Jones 6'2" | PG Dickinson | 2022 State TX – 6’1″ – PG – Senior – Dickinson vs. McKinney & vs. Mansfield Summit
Jones was the star for Dickinson on Day 3, their clear leader and one of the most talented players on the court in every game. In their first game against the eventual champs, McKinney, Jones put on an absolute show and could not be stopped. He was getting to whatever spot he wanted with his talented and decisive ball handling and lighting quick speed, and then he seemingly hit every shot he threw up from wherever he was on the court. It appeared McKinney could stop every other player on Dickinson except Jones, who was doing whatever he could to keep his team in the game. In the 3rd place game against Mansfield Summit, Dickinson’s scoring effort was more spread out, with everyone on the team contributing. Jones was clearly still the lead dog, though, getting Dickinson a bucket whenever they needed it while also spreading the ball around to his teammates that were now getting in a groove of their own. He was hitting more perimeter shots in their first game against McKinney, but then took advantage of the smaller lineup of Summit, and relentlessly attacked the paint, getting tough layups to fall all game and utilizing his creativity to finish various ways through traffic.
#4 – Arlind Konjuhi – 5’10” – PG – Sophomore – Cy Fair vs. Cy Creek
Cy Fair finished the tournament as the consolation bracket champions, led by big man, Brady Smith, but they would not have been able to do it without the contributions from the youngest player I came away most impressed with, Arlind Konjuhi. He spread the floor beautifully for his star big man teammate, hitting at least four 3’s in their game against Cy Creek, and maintained constant movement off-the-ball putting pressure on the defense to always account for his whereabouts, drawing attention away from his teammates. He showed what he can do as a passer, as well, setting up Brady and others multiple times with good vision and accurate dimes. He also made some plays on the defensive end with his active hands and quick footwork, staying in front of his assignment at all times and coming away with a steal at one point in the 3rd quarter.
#3 – Anthony Solomon – 6’0″ – CG – Senior – South Grand Prairie vs. Cy Ranch
Solomon was a passing maestro in the 5th place game against Cy Ranch. He had complete control of the offense and didn’t seem to be bothered by any kind of defensive set Cy Ranch threw at him. He executed the offense to perfection, slicing his way through traffic, bending the defense to his will, and delivering beautiful passes every time down the court. Each pass seemed to get more impressive too, with several scoop passes, no-look passes, accurate bounce passes through traffic, there was nothing he couldn’t do, and he did it all with a smile on his face, having the time of his life out there. It was difficult not to have an amazed reaction to the passing display he put on for the crowd. He hit a couple long range shots in the 1st half and finished at the rim a couple times, as well, but his talent as a lead point guard, setting his entire team up every time down the court, was unmatched from all the games I had the pleasure of watching on Day 3.
#10 – Ryan Moore – 6’4″ – CG – Senior – Cy Ranch vs. South Grand Prairie
Moore was the lone bright spot for Cy Ranch in the 5th place game. They simply seemed to be outmatched by South Grand Prairie, but Moore kept the fighting spirit up for the team and took on the scoring load, doing whatever he could to keep them as close as possible. He showed hustle and grit, diving on the floor and fighting for a 50/50 ball and taking a charge all in the 2nd quarter, and then playing relentless perimeter defense, forcing multiple turnovers and turning them into fastbreak dunks each and every time. He was scoring from all over the court, as well, hitting at least two 3-point shots and then attacking the basket over and over again. With his speed, handles and agility, it seemed like he could get to the basket any time he wanted to, coming away with some impressive finishes through traffic.