The Ten Best: Tulsa Memorial vs Union
The championship game of the Durant Lions Classic was easily the best game of the week. The game was back and forth the entire game with both teams playing great defense. However the play of the game was an offensive play. With 4.2 seconds left in the game Kori Guest hit a game winning 3-pointer to put Tulsa Memorial up 58-56 over the Union Redskins.
MVP: Kori Guest 2018 Tulsa Memorial Guard
Kori Guest was quiet throughout the game. He had 5 points heading into the fourth quarter. He played great defense and did what he could while in the first three periods. He then went off in the fourth quarter. He scored 14 points for the chargers in the fourth including the final nine points. He hit clutch shot after clutch shot and propelled Tulsa Memorial to the win. Guest is often times overshadowed on a star-studded Charger team, but he showed how good he is. Teams need to be on the look out for him as he will sneak into games and steal the show. He finished the game with 19 points.
Offensive player of the game: Michiah McQuarters Union 2018 Guard
Michiah McQuarters shot the ball extremely well throughout the game. He stroked it from deep throughout the entire game and caught fire in the fourth. He propelled Union to the lead in the second half and hit big shot after big shot. McQuarters finished the game with 19 points. He and Kendall McVay provided the offense for Union and alsmost propelled them to victory over one of the best teams in the state. Union will be a dangerous team if McQuarters and McVay continue to shoot as well as they did today.
Defensive player of the game: Kalib Boone Tulsa Memorial 2019 Post
Kalib Boone was a monster in the paint tonight. He blocked countless shots and forced Union to play from the outside. Boone was matched up to someone close to his size for the first time in the season. He proved that he is just as good when matched up against someone just as big as him. He continued to use his length and block shots. Boone is one of the best players in the 2019 class and combined with his Tulsa Memorial team held a talented Union squad to 56 points on the night. Boone already holds NCAA Division I offers and is continuing to improve.
Best coaching decision: The Union 1-3-1 Zone
The Union Redskins held Tulsa Memorial to 58 points. The least the potent offense has scored all season. This was because Union dialed up a 1-3-1 zone to perfection. Coach Rudy Garcia for Union called the 1-3-1 at the perfect times and forced Memorial to score from the perimeter when they have two of the most talented big men in the state. The Chargers struggled to figure out the key to breaking the 1-3-1 zone and did not seem to figure it out until late in the fourth quarter.
Under the Radar Performance: James Alexandre 2019 Tulsa Memorial Guard
James Alexandre had a good game for Tulsa Memorial. Alexandre is often not in the spotlight because of the talent on his team, but he played a crucial role in Memorial winning tonight. While he did not score a lot, he scored when Memorial needed it most. He played good defense and got steals when it seemed that Union were about to go on a run. He finished the night with 8 points.
Best aspect of the game: The game itself
The best aspect of the game was the championship feel. Before the game both teams were hyped up and ready to play. They proved that their hype was warranted as they played one of the best games of the year in the championship game of the Durant Lions Classic.
Most intriguing prospect: Kendall McVay 2018 Guard
McVay had a performance for Union. He shot the ball well from the perimeter and ran Union’s offense to perfection. He played one of the best games but just ended up on the losing end. McVay is solid Guard and knows how to handle the ball. He hit big shots that got the crowd involved. If McVay can continue to hit shots, he could be a dangerous player in Class 6A.
The It Factor Award: Keylan Boone 2019 Wing
Keylan Boone had himself a game against Union. He proved that he is more than just a big man. Boone put the ball on the floor at times and showed he can handle the ball. He moved the ball well between his teammates and hit some big time shots from the perimeter whether they were contested or not. Boone finished the game with 14 points. The only reason Boone did not win MVP was because Guest had a monster fourth quarter. Boone is one of the most dangerous players in the state and will be fun to watch going forward for the Chargers. He already holds multiple NCAA Division I offers and will be hard to stop this season at Tulsa Memorial.