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The
first annual Best of the Midwest Shootout at Marion High School
in Marion, Illinois featured some of the top teams and players
in the Midwest. There were two potential McDonald's
All-American's on display this day.
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Leslie McDonald SG
Braircrest (TN) Class of 2009 (North Carolina)
Leslie McDonald
is one of the most well rounded wings in the country. He
is not a huge scorer or slasher. He just gets the job
done. On this night against Illinois powerhouse Simeon,
McDonald severely struggled on the offensive end.
Everytime he got a good shot it would go around the rim and
out. It was this way from every part of the floor, whether
it was the perimeter shot, mid range game, or finishing around
the hole. They just wouldn't fall. It was especially
frustrating for him when the easy shots that he makes
consistently in transition were not falling. Although he
was not on, he did not let that rock the boat. The wing
played hard on the defensive end and rebounded well (at least 5
by my count). The future Tar Heel finished the game with a
disappointing 14 points. His team did get a 45-44 win over
on of the top teams in Illinois. The people that were
setting around me were asking what is the deal with
Leslie? Even the best have an off night. This was by
far his worst game of the season. The thing you have to
remember about McDonald is that even when he is on, his game is
not dropping 40, even in high school. I still believe he
is going to be a great contributor to the next North Carolina
Tar Heel title run in a few years. Despite this McDonald
might lose his hold on 5-star status and drop a few spots in the
next rankings.
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Johnnie Williams PF
Braircrest (TN) Class of 2009 (George Mason)
Johnnie
Williams going to be a key player for George Mason's
future. They got the big man away from other BCS school
offers. He is a strong interior big with a well rounded
game. Offensively he has solid footwork. This
included a nice slip down low for two points. He also
showed a soft touch around the hoop. Defensively he held
his ground in the post and had a good block shot. Williams
is a guy that might be toward the bottom part of the season end
top 100 rankings. Make no doubt about it, this is a
program changer for the former Final 4 Cinderella!
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Brandon
Spearman SG Simeon (IL) Class of 2010
Spearman is a guy who analysts are split on. Some believe
he could be a top 100 guy in the nation. Others think he
is not even top 10 in the state in 2010. The two guard has
a nice game off of the bounce. He does this with help from
his strong body for a two guard. His jumper has excellent
form on it and was going down from mid-range. When his
team needed a bucket to win the game late, the 3 time state
finalists went to their junior shooting guard. He missed a
contested mid range shot for the win. Spearman played a
nice game. I will be watching his development closely.
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Joe Jackson PG Memphis
White Station (TN) Class of 2010
In 2007 it was Derrick Rose. In 2009 it is John Wall. The
next in lin is Joe Jackson in the Class of 2010. He is
that fast. He is an explosive playmaker at the point guard
position who has lightning speed. Jackson's frame is long
and wiry. He could stand to add some weight before college
in 2010, but I think he could play for a high major right now
and not look out of place. Just like Wall and Rose before
him, Jackson weaves in and out of traffic and makes the opponent
look like they are statues. He blew past defenders in the
half court setting as well. After doing this the star PG
finished around the hoop consistently. His passing skills
have a special touch to them and he finds the open teammate in
transition. Jackson's jump shot is very good. He
gets height on the shot and squares up in a great looking form
shot. At certain points during the game he was on fire and
could not be stopped from behind the arc. I had Jackson
for more than 20 points on the night. His stock will rise
into 5-star status and possibly the top 10 overall.
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Ferrakohn Hall PF
Memphis White Station (TN) Class of 2009
Hall's stock has droped dramatically over the past several
years. Once thought of as a top 30 recruit Hall has now
been downgraded to 3-star status by some. He is a mobile and
athletic power forward. His game is well rounded.
This included a few nice assists. He was very inconsistent
at the free throw line. His scoring ablility could grow
into a factor for the team that lands the power forward in the
spring. He might be a top 100 player in the Class of 2009.
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Andre Hollins SG
Memphis White Station (TN) Class of 2011
Hollins is the third player on White Station's trio of high
major players, but he held his own for sure. The young
wing runs the floor and is money on the spot up three! His
form is excellent and in an absolute dead eye shooter from
behind the arc. He and Jackson had it rolling from behind
the line on this night. The sophomore is a well rounded
player that is a willing passer and showed very good perimeter
defensive ability. Hollins had at least 15 points by my
count. He is a guy that could be a high 4-star prospect
and a top 30 recruit nationally.
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Tyler Griffey PF Lafayette
(MO) Class of 2009 (Illinois)
His team was overmatched by ALOT! It was not the senior
Illini commitment's fault though. Griffey was an
aggressive monster on the glass. He went for them strong
and snatched the boards strong out of the air. On the
offensive end, Griffey continued to show range on his shot that
reaches out to the high school 3-point line. He has also
improved his ability off the dribble and could play some SF when
the Illini go big in the future. Tyler opens up wide in
the post and recieves the ball well. The big man had a few
nice assists and showed he can pass well in the high-low
game. Griffey finished with 15 points and 11 boards by my
count. I really believe this is a huge sleeper in the
Class of 2009 and is a top 35-40 recruit nationally. |