The Norm Stewart Classic featured 47 teams playing 24 games over 48 straight hours. Here are my thoughts on the top players in the games I watched beginning with the list of Tournament Most Valuable Players:
2020 6-6 Bryce Thompson, Booker T. Washington – Thompson is a dangerous outside shooter, prolific scorer and playmaker. Thompson won MVP honors after scoring a game high 34 points. Thompson made shot after shot, draining threes and using his strong ball handling and footwork to drop in mid-range shots. His turnaround jumper looked effortless, difficult to defend against and rendered defenders helpless. Thompson also showcased his playmaking ability and vision by setting teammates up in transition and in half court sets.
2022 6-8 Mark Mitchell, Jr., Bishop Miege – The strong athletic forward really got things rolling for his team in the second half. Mitchell had several rim rattling dunks, pushed the ball in transition and made numerous trips to the foul line sinking 13 out 14 bonus shots. Mitchell showed intensity, energy and a passion for winning. The sophomore won MVP honors and scored a game high 26 points and collected 11 rebounds.
2020 6-0 Dezmond McKinney, Raytown South -The lightning fast guard thrived in transition. He is a tough as nails penetrator that can get to the rim with ease. Dezmond can also pull up for the jump shot but seldom needed to because of his ability to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim. Aside from scoring he also did a nice job of drawing defenders and setting up teammates with some slick passing. McKinney was the game MVP of the close contest with Battle.
2020 6-6 Ethan Kilgore, East Buchanan – Kilgore is a talented forward with a deep skill set. His versatility was on full display with the inside-out play of the Bulldogs. The system allowed Kilgore to showcase his shooting and passing ability as well as his ability to score in the post. Kilgore can create his own shot off the dribble and scored a game high 32 points in route to winning MVP honors versus Clarksville.
2020 6-5 Coban Porter, Father Tolton – Porter is a tough as nails competitor, shooter and playmaker. Porter used his quickness and solid ball handling to create shots for himself and his teammates. Porter has the ability to make shots anywhere on the floor. He punctuated his performance and lock on the MVP nomination by rebounding a missed shot and putting it back in at the buzzer.
2020 6-6 Daniel Loos, Clarksville Academy – Loos was the game MVP and scored a game high 32 points and 11 rebounds versus Columbia Hickman. Loos had the turnaround jumper working overtime and sunk the shot repeatedly from the short corner. He pursues rebounds out of his area and is able to power up offensive rebounds through contact. He is a smart player that creates matchup problems in the mid to high post area.
2020 6-3 Jordan Jermain, Raymore Peculiar – The senior guard can really stroke it from the outside. The game MVP scored 15 out of the 20 points scored by his team in the first quarter. Jermain had little problem beating the press, getting to the rim and drawing fouls. Jermain scored a game high 24 points on 3 out of 4 3-PTR, 11 out of 13 FT and 7 RBS.
2019 Norm Stewart Classic Results (Game MVP)
East Buchanan 48 vs Clarksville Academy (TN) 35 (Ethan Kilgore)
Centralia 81 vs Mexico 51 (Guy Moran)
Harrisburg 62 vs Calvary Lutheran 58 (Tanner Lanes)
Columbia Independent 31 vs Green Ridge 60 (Carson Brown)
St. Louis Christian 63 vs Booker T Washington 66 (Bryce Thompson)
Father Tolton 69 vs Mehlville 67 (Coban Porter)
Wentzville Liberty 32 vs Liberty North 66 (Benny Kaplan)
Clarksville Academy (TN) 48 vs Hickman 45 (Daniel Loos)
Raymore Peculiar 56 vs East St. Louis (IL) 44 (Jordan Jermain)
Cardinal Ritter 58 vs Bishop Miege (KS) 65 (Mark Mitchell Jr)
Battle 58 vs Raytown South 59 (Dezmond McKinney)
Jefferson City 68 vs Warrensburg 60 (Brennan Jeffries)
Community R6 57 vs Otterville 54 (Caden Escamilla)
Nixa 79 vs St. Elizabeth 55 (Evan Long)
Webster Groves 70 vs Rock Bridge 52 (Jacobie Banks)
Whitehaven (TN) 82 vs Trinity Catholic 42 (Kavion McClain)