What did we learn about Booker T. Washington?
The Thanksgiving HoopFest one of the top high school events took place in Dallas this weekend. Booker T. Washington participated in the event playing two games against two upper echelon Texas teams. We learned a lot about Booker T. Washington this weekend. The opening game Booker T. Washington shot the ball lights out from three-point range led by Bryce Thompson and Trey Phipps. The Hornets were victorious 81-75 over Justin Northwest (TX).
Five takeaways from the Hornets win over Justin Northwest
Day number two it was a different story for Booker T. Washington losing a tough one to a talented Mansfield Timberview squad 72-61. Shots did not fall like the day before as Mansfield did a great job of playing good physical defense on the Hornets shooters.
So what did we learn about Booker T. Washington this weekend?
The Hornets are the most talented team in Oklahoma 1-5
Booker T. Washington has it all when you look down their lineup. Size inside with Seth Hurd and Jaycson Bereal on the Wing. They might have the best two shooters in the state Bryce Thompson and Trey Phipps. As the season began Point Guard is the biggest question mark surrounding the Hornets. Phipps and Elisha Brantley played a ton of minutes on the floor together both switching off as the primary ball handler throughout the game. Phipps showed improvement in ball handling and vision this weekend. Brantley will be a player that does not get a ton of love throughout the season because his numbers will not jump off the page. However, basketball people will watch Booker T. Washington and marvel at all of the ways Brantley impacts the game. 1-5 Booker T. Washington is clearly the most talented squad, especially when you add in the football players that the Hornets will get back once their season wraps up.
Thompson is a budding star
Bryce Thompson is a 2020 sharpshooter with a killer jumper. For his projection to the next level, he doesn’t have to worry about being too short on the Wing as he is already 6’4 pushing 6’5. Catch and shoot, Thompson is the best in the state. What we saw this weekend was a strong opening performance for Thompson as he found openings on the perimeter and made Justin Northwest pay. He showed why he is a projected High Major NCAA Division I prospect shooting 50% from the floor cashing in for 31 points. In the second contest, Thompson was defended much different. Mansfield did a great job being physical face guarding Thompson making him earn every look at the basket that he got. It is important to remember Thompson is just a sophomore. There are still some areas Thompson has to improve before he can completely take over a game. Thompson must get stronger physically to handle defenders waring on him throughout the game. On his drives to the basket, Thompson must learn to have a stronger handle on the basketball. Once Thompson improves those two areas his game will reach a completely different level. Both of those areas will help him be able to create his own shot against high-level defenders. Thompson is clearly the top prospect in the 2020 Oklahoma Class. It will be exciting to watch Thompson throughout his career as this is just the beginning for the talented sniper.
Phipps is not afraid of the bright lights
The most impressive showing this weekend from an Oklahoma player was easily 2020 Combo Guard Trey Phipps. He scored 25 points to begin this weekend Friday night against Justin Northwest shooting over 50% from the floor. If you like watching three-point shooting, Phipps is a must watch this season. He is a little small in stature around 5’11 with a skinny build. Do not let the size and frame skew your opinion of Phipps as he quickly shut up the doubters with an impressive three-point showing. To score the ball as well as he did underneath the bright lights of a big stage at the Thanksgiving HoopFest was impressive. What was even more impressive was the performance Phipps put together on Saturday. He scored 25 points against Mansfield Timberview on 9-21 shooting from the floor. The percentage for Phipps from the floor was not as good as the day before, but what did shine brightly was how hard he competed. Even when the cards were down Phipps was out for blood.Phipps will likely transition to the Point Guard spot in college. This weekend Phipps made some impressive passes finding players openings in tight spots. The competitiveness, three-point shooting, and high basketball IQ make Phipps a top-five prospect in the Oklahoma 2020 Class. He already holds an offer from Oral Roberts.
Scouting Report on Booker T. Washington
Opposing Coaches will want a copy of the film from the Mansfield Timberview game when drawing up how they want to defend Booker T. Washington. Most Oklahoma schools won’t have the athletes Mansfield has, which will make it tougher to defend the Hornets the same way they did. The best chance for Oklahoma teams against Booker T. Washington is to play the Hornets as physical as possible without fouling. Faceguard Thompson the entire game and make the other four players on the floor beat you. What is scary about that is Phipps can still really hurt you from three-point range as well. It has to be an entire defensive effort to beat this talented Booker T. Washington squad. It will be fun to see how coaches try and defend this talented roster.
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com