Bluff City Blues: 2023 Saturday Standouts
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The Bluff City Blues shootout got off to fast start Saturday just outside of Memphis. The small but very competitive field featured plenty of high level performances. Following are six that caught my eye from the class of 2023. Class…
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Continue ReadingThe Bluff City Blues shootout got off to fast start Saturday just outside of Memphis. The small but very competitive field featured plenty of high level performances.
Following are six that caught my eye from the class of 2023. Class of 2024 performers coming tomorrow.
Grant Stubbs Grant Stubbs 6'1" | SG Tuscaloosa County | 2023 State AL 6-1 Tuscaloosa County (AL) (pictured at top) Stubbs began the tournament with an impressive 23 point performance in T-Town Kings victory over Chicago based Straight Elite. Showed a high level of resilience as his squad got off to a slow start. Doesn’t pass the initial eye test as he has kind of stocky build. But is a crafty scorer. Especially around the basket. Even more so when you consider his competition. Straight Elite featured a long frontline highlighted by 7-2 center Tavarius Vinson Tavarius Vinson 7'0" | C Dyett | 2022 State IL . Stubbs took it right at them late. Good ball handler who also showed the ability to play the point.
Talib Christian 6-7 Anniston (AL) Stubbs wasn’t the only Alabama player making noise on Saturday. Christian was an imposing post presence for Alabama Generals all day. In a opening decisive victory he was more of a traditional big man. Was effective close to the basket due to his eye opening length. Showed very good hands by finishing off some difficult lobs. You can’t coach size and hands. Appears to have both. Scored 17 points in the opener. In a much closer second game. Christian moved his game further away from the basket. Showed off his athleticism in the open court with the type of euro step that is usually reserved for guards.
Joshua Burchette 6-5 Central (TN) Memphis wing was very close to home and he played like it. I describe him as a wing. But he essentially played the point for Weasel Elite. Did this due to his well rounded ball skills. Plays with his head up and has a nice handle for size. Physically has the “two L’s” going for him. Has a lengthy frame and is left handed. Is a long strider and covers a lot of space in the open court. While skinny. Was not afraid of contact and was able to finish through it.
Jaloni Johnson Jaloni Johnson 6'4" | SG Proviso East | 2023 State IL 6-3 Proviso East (IL) Second time I have caught this scoring guard with Flee Club Hoops this grassroots season. I continue to be impressed with his mature and advanced scoring package. Patient and plays at his own pace. Has good change of direction with a corresponding quick crossover. Plays well in that forgotten area of the court known as the mid range. Uses burst to rise quickly and easily over defenders. Shoots a soft ball that’s lands nicely. Dropped 20 in his squads closing close victory over a good Indiana based JH1 Elite.
Amare Anderson Amare Anderson 6'9" | PF Moravian Prep | 2022 State LA 6-9 Moravian Prep (NC) This long post was an elite rim protector all day for Showtime Elite LA. Unlike a lot of young shot blockers. Plays with with a certain level of restraint. What I mean by that is you do not see him playing in a manic manner swatting at every shot in sight. Stays under the basket and plays with an extreme level of verticality. A few of his blocks were not exactly blocked shots. They were “engulfed”. This allowed him to keep rejections in play and in his squads possession. Pinned one with two hands on the backboard and caught it himself. Runs the court very well and is a good finisher at the rim. Will need to add weight. But has the physical profile of player who can bloom late and become a major prospect.
Shad Levy Shad Levy 6'3" | CG Dunham | 2023 State LA 6-2 Dunham (LA) Anderson’s teammate was an electric performer on Saturday. Showed an extreme level of bounce and explosion. Did not need much of a runway for a handful of above the rim finishes. Scored 20 points in a dramatic victory over a good Flee Club Hoops squad (see above) But it wasn’t just the points. It was how he basically rose up and sized the moment and ultimately the game. Defensively forced a five second call that gave Showtime the ball back and a chance to win it. Then went iso on the last possession and rose in the mid range to hit the game winning shot. The play of the morning session. Kept up the high level play in the second contest as well. A bayou battle that Showtime won over Tangi Elite.