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Saturday at the Marshall County Hoopfest

Draffenville, Ky.-Brandon Jennings (pictured) puts on a show on his way to 36 points.  Findlay Prep blows out Wheeler.  And Air Force recruit Taylor Stewart helps Lexington Catholic to a win over Simeon.  All this and more Saturday at the Marshall County Hoopfest.

Oak Hill Academy (VA)- 83
Chicago Hales Franciscan (IL)- 62

6‘1 Brandon Jennings lived up to his billing as the nation’s top senior as he scored 36 points and dished out 5 assists to lead Oak Hill to a 21-point win over Chicago Hales Franciscan. 

Jennings repeatedly used his speed to beat his man to the basket where he finished virtually everything.  His quickness is simply unmatched and he’s amazing to watch when he is dribbling the ball through traffic.  It seems like all the talk lately has been about his scoring ability but Jennings is one of the special ones in terms of court vision.  He has a special knack for seeing plays unfold and making the perfect pass.  We really feel this future Arizona point guard has a chance to be one of the great ones. 

Jennings’ 6’7 junior teammate Glenn Bryant was also very impressive.  Bryant is a dynamite athlete that had some of the most impressive dunks of the event.  Like a good wide receiver that just needs his quarterback to throw the ball up and let him go make the play, Bryant just needs his point guard to pass the ball high above the rim and he’ll go get it and throw it down.  He knocked down a couple of midrange shots (although his skill game is still developing) on his way to 14 points and 8 rebounds.  Syracuse has already extended a scholarship offer while Florida, Memphis, Kentucky, Kansas and Cincinnati are also on his list.

Hales Franciscan was led by 5’9 junior DJ Cooper’s 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Despite his slight frame, Cooper was one of the best players on the floor.  He handled and passed the ball well without making mistakes and nailed shots every time he got the slightest daylight (6-9 from downtown).  He currently sits at #135 in our class of 2009 rankings but he is making a strong case to move way up the list.  Cooper says that Valparaiso, Bradley, Dayton, Southern Methodist University, and Marquette are showing the most interest right now while the schools he is most interested in are Michigan, Cincinnati, Villanova, Rice, Penn State and Missouri. 

Cooper’s highly touted senior teammates 6’3 Matthew Humphrey and 6’8 Josh Crittle (both Oregon recruits) were held to a combined 17 points.

University Heights (KY)- 56
Lafayette (MO)- 50

University Heights led by 20 points or more for much of the game but Lafayette made a late run behind the play of 6’7 junior Tyler Griffey to keep it interesting.  Griffey scored nine points in the final 60 seconds of regulation to make it a one possession game but the comeback fell short when University Heights senior Tyshawn Edmondson completed a late three-point-play to put the game out of reach.  The final score was University Heights 56, Lafayette 50.

UHA was led by Scotty Hopson’s 24 points (9-22 fg) and 6 rebounds.  The 6’6 senior verbally committed to Mississippi State in the fall of 2006 but has all-but-officially reopened his recruitment.  We are hearing that Tennessee is now the leader for his services while Kentucky and Louisville are also involved.  Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl was at the game as was an assistant from Cincinnati. 

6’3 point guard Tyshawn Edmondson, who is getting looks from a number of Mid-Major programs, chipped in with 15 points on 6-9 shooting.

Lafayette was led by Tyler Griffey’s 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.  Griffey, a top 100 player in the class of 2009, is a skilled combo forward that can handle the ball and shoot with range.  He’s not overly athletic but is crafty and has a high basketball IQ.  Griffey’s 6’7 junior teammate, Will Kirksey, finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds. 

Memphis White Station (TN)- 51
Pinckneyville (IL)- 45

5’11 sophomore Joe Jackson scored 17 points to lead White Station to a 51-45 win.  Jackson is a quick and athletic point guard that uses changes of speed and direction to keep defenders on their heels.  He hit 3 of 7 shots from downtown and showed off good elevation on his jumper.  Jackson said that Tennessee and Memphis have offered him scholarships while he is also considering Louisville, UConn and Arizona.

Jackson’s 6’6 freshman teammate Marvin Williams is a player to keep an eye on.  Williams scored 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting and pulled down 9 boards.  He could stand to lose some baby fat but still runs the court well and already has a nice back-to-the basket game. 

Pinckneyville was led by 6’6 senior Kyle Cassity’s 20 points and 7 rebounds.  Cassity has great size as a shooting guard prospect and he handles, shoots and creates like a player that could excel at the Mid-Major level. 

Chicago Whitney Young (IL)- 75
Scott County (KY)- 72

6’1 senior Julian Kenner scored 17 points to lead Whitney Young to a hard fought win over Scott County.  6’2 sophomore Anthony Johnson (top 50 sophomore nationally) chipped in with 11 points for the winners while 6’3 juniors Marcus Jordan (son of Michael Jordan and top 75 junior) and Chris Colvin (top 75 junior) combined for 17. 

Anthony Johnson said after the game that Illinois and Notre Dame have offered while Kentucky, UCLA and Ohio State are also among his favorites.  Others involved include Marquette and Texas. 

Scott County has at least three prospects that could meet the needs for low to mid-level programs.

Tyler Portwood is a 6’5 senior that shoots with range and has a penchant for knocking down the big shot.  Portwood finished with 20 points on 8-11 shooting in addition to 5 rebounds and 4 assists.  His 6’7 junior teammate Richie Phares isn’t overly athletic but he’s effective nonetheless.  The efficient power forward finished with 21 points (10-11 fg) and 8 rebounds.

6’1 sophomore Ge-Lawn Guyn impressed with his ability to score in the open court.  Guyn is a good athlete that showed flashes of big-time talent but he isn’t very consistent at this point.  He finished with 8 points on 4-13 shooting. 

Findlay College Prep (NV)-68
Wheeler (GA)- 64

We really expected this game to be one of the most competitive of the event because of the tremendous talent on both teams.  It didn’t turn out that way, though, as Findlay absolutely dominated the game early and took a 24 point lead (36-12) midway through the first half.

In defense of Wheeler the game didn’t start until close to midnight which was almost one o’clock in the morning in Marietta, Georgia (home of Wheeler)… but not even 10 o’clock (p.m.) in Las Vegas (home of Findlay).

Wheeler woke up a little in the second half to keep the game respectable but it wouldn’t be enough as Findlay won, 68-54.

Findlay did a good job of containing Wheeler’s sophomore point guard Phil Taylor.  Reports out of Georgia say that Taylor has been outstanding so far this season but he was held to just seven points in this game. 

Wheeler got 15 points apiece out of 6’8 junior Richard Howell and 6’5 senior DeQuan Jones.  Howell, a top 35 junior nationally, also pulled down 13 rebounds.  Jones, a top 50 senior and one of the nation’s best athletes, had his usual fair share of monster dunks and blocks.

Findlay Prep was led by 6’3 senior Jorge Gutierrez’s 19 points and 13 rebounds.  Guitierrez is a warrior that effects the game with his relentless hustle and knack for making the big play.   

Kentucky head coach Billy Gillispie and assistant Glynn Cyprien were both in the house to watch DeAndre Liggins.  Liggins didn’t need to put up gaudy numbers to make a statement in this game.  He finished with 9 points, but used his outstanding combination of size and speed with the ball to control the tempo of the game.  In addition to being a good ball handler and passer, Liggins has the size at 6’6 to rebound and defend multiple positions.  While not a high volume scorer he’s a versatile playmaker that will be an impact freshman at Kentucky next season.

Lexington Catholic (KY)- 67
Simeon (IL)- 56

Air Force recruit Taylor Stewart was sensational in Lexington Catholic’s win over Simeon.  The 6’5 senior guard showed off an excellent short and midrange jumper and made plays at both ends of the court.  He reminds us of Florida freshman Nick Calathes in terms of his will to win, craftiness and high basketball IQ.  Stewart scored 29 points on 10 of 15 shooting to go along with 5 boards.

Illinois recruit Stan Simpson, a 6’9 forward/center, led Simeon with 20 points (6-9 fg) and 7 rebounds. 

Marshall County (KY)- 60
Rose Hill Christian (KY)- 44

Seniors Travis Spiceland and Stephen Barga combined for 31 points to help Marshall County to a big win in front of the home crowd.

Rose Hill was led by 6’3 sophomore Chad Jackson’s 18 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists.  Kentucky recruit Dakota Euton, a 6’7 sophomore, was held to just 9 points on 2-17 shooting.

Massac Co. (IL)- 49
Jefferson City (MO)- 45

6’4 junior Byron Bailey tallied 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to help lift Massac County past Jefferson City.  

Don't forget to tune into ESPN on Thursday Dec. 13th at 8 p.m. as #1 ranked Oak Hill Academy takes on #2 St. Benedicts in the Marshall County Hoopfest Showcase Game!

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