5 Takeaways: Joplin vs. Francis Howell
Host Joplin and Francis Howell squared off in the championship of the Kaminsky Classic, a 60-45 win that saw the Vikings reiterate the fact that they’re one of the top teams in St. Louis. Here are five takeaways from that game.
2019 G Daylan Dalton is Electric
His box score says he played a mediocre game with 10 points, a pair of assists and steals, but that’s far from the truth as the 5-foot-7 dynamo controlled the action from tip to horn. He has the unique ability to slither into any seen and he’s a willing passer – his passes are always on the money. He added several hockey assists because his teammates made one extra pass from a good shot to a great shot. Defensively he helped force Joplin standout Braeden Testerman into an 0-7 performance from the floor. As his jumper becomes more consistent his recruitment should take off.
The Development of 2020 G Evan Guillory
Guillory continues to etch his name among the best 2020 recruits in the state and Saturday’s performance will have you seeing shades of Kawhi Leonard with 24 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. The 6-foot-3 wing had three of the game’s best highlights:
Chasedown block on Dalton.
Midcourt rip and dunk.
Blocking a dunk attempt by Matt Schark
Guillory also knocked down a 3, showing a smooth stroke and balance that suggests he’s a capable shooter. Because of his versatility defensively he will continue to shoot up recruiting boards as his offense catches up, which seems to be happening rapidly.
2020 F Matt Schark is Extremely Versatile
Joplin elected to put Guillory on Matthew Simmons, so Schark decided he would try to bully whoever defended him. He did just that, going for 19 points and six rebounds on 8-11 shooting from the field. He scored on the block, he scored off the bounce and he knocked down a 3. His offensive repertoire is deep and he showed plenty of bounce on the dunk attempt. Schark is shooting 53 percent from the field this season and has put up at least 15 points in six of his last seven games.
Joplin a Contender in Class 5
We’re still about two weeks away from knowing just how good Joplin is. The Eagles first loss came to a really good team in the championship game of a tournament. Keep in mind, Joplin starts three sophomores and brings another off the bench as a sixth man. The Eagles are ahead of schedule. They’re sitting at 9-1 and will likely enter the meat of their schedule at 14-2 with a state ranking. That stretch starts on Jan. 25 with Willard, Rolla and Parkview – all of whom have to come to Joplin. The Eagles then get Waynesville before reloading with a trip to Kickapoo sandwiched between Hillcrest and Glendale. By Feb. 13 we’ll know if Joplin won the Ozark Conference or not, as well as where they stand in the crowded SWMO Class 5 picture.
Could Francis Howell make a Run?
Francis Howell is now 11-3 with six straight wins. The Vikings nearly knocked off Hazelwood Central last month and while they’re a team built for a run next year, they’re capable of arriving a year early because of Dalton and Schark. However, 2019s Patrick Schulte and Matt Simmons give the team glue guys that can shoot, defend and play with great basketball IQ. Freshman Sam Thompson is a 6’8″ rim protector that will be necessary for Howell to make a run. They’ve lost back to back district championship games at the top seed, this group should be the one to change that. Which, would likely set up a meeting in Sectionals with state power Chaminade.