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The St. Louis Shootout is always a great event for high school basketball fans.  This year's event featured several top players from the classes of 2007, 2008, and 2009.  Unfortunately the top two players were unable to play.   National powerhouse DeMatha out of Maryland brought in a top 5 ranking and two 5-Star prospects.  Their superstar is Georgetown bound shooting guard Austin Freeman.  Freeman is a lethal scorer.  Freeman was in attendance, but unable to play due to injury.  Their other star is 5-Star Junior Chris Braswell.  Braswell also did not play and did not make the trip.  There was still plenty of talent on display in St. Louis.  Let's take a look.
 

Tyler Griffey SF Lafayette (MO) Class of 2009

This super sophomore is under the radar nationally, but already has major interest from Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina, and St. Louis.  Griffey is very thin right now at only 200 lbs.  He needs to a least add 25-30 lbs for college.  He has long arms and a smooth shooting stroke.  He is a very skilled forward.  His skills set are not what most expect out of a sophomore.  He has the potential to be a McDonald's All-American and be one of the top 10 players in the Class of 2009.
 

Mike Tisdale C Riverton (IL) Class of 2007 (Illinois)

Mike Tisdale is a 7-0 center headed for the University of Illinois next fall.  Tisdale has a good feel for the game as a 7 footer.  Like Griffey, he is very thin.  Tisdale will need to add 30 pounds to play big time minutes in the Big Ten.  He has a soft touch from the perimeter.  His range goes all the way out to the arch.  Even with his lack of strength, Tisdale fights hard for position underneath the boards and in the post.  Tisdale's best attribute right now is his shot blocking.  He doesn't leave his feet early to block shots and put himself in foul trouble.  He came up big when his team need him the most.  Overall Tisdale could eventually develop into a solid center at Illinois, with the potential to play in the NBA if he adds the necessary weight.
 

Beas Hamga C Decatur Christian (IL) Class of 2008 (Iowa)

This report on Hamga is compiled from reports from both his game against DeMatha at the St. Louis Shootout and two games at the Olney White Squirrel Classic.  With Braswell out, it was Hamga's time to dominate.  He is really LONG.  In St. Louis he showed excellent footwork and great athleticism.  He is a Great shot blocker.  When his team needed him to take over at the end he did.  Hamga got a HUGE tip back dunk to win the game over #3 DeMatha.  At the White Squirrel Classic he was good, but not dominant.  He got deep post position and erased shots that came in the lane.  Overall Hamga is a raw athlete with GREAT upside.  I think he has NBA potential and is one of the top 30 players in the Class of 2008.