The Norm Stewart Classic featured 47 teams playing 24 games over 48 straight hours. Here is Part 2 of my thoughts on the top players in the games I watched:
2020 6-1 Marcus Grant – Grant is the aggressive lead guard for the Battle Spartans. Grant did a great job at facilitating and keeping his team involved but was at his best in scoring mode. He is strong on the drive and does a good job at finishing through contact. Defenders also had to respect him on the perimeter because of his ability to shoot the three off the dribble.
2020 6-5 Jeremiah Smith, Clarksville Academy (TN) – Smith is a wide-bodied forward that was at his best in the painted area. Smith did a great job in the low post showing off some nice footwork. His post skill compliments the high-low offensive system of the Cougars.
2020 7-0 Davion Bradford, Mehlville – The Senior Center scored 18 points in a narrow loss to Father Tolton. Bradford showed his low post skill using his incredible size and height advantage to establish position in a high/low set and finish above and through the rim. He had a solid performance in the paint using good footwork and strong hands to avoid the strip as guards began to sink in to help on him.
2022 6-2 Luther Burden, Cardinal Ritter – The sophomore guard is an incredible athlete and was effective on both ends of the ball. Burden used his speed and skills to force turnovers and score the ball in transition. Burden can knock down shots all over the court but is at his best scoring in transition. His energy and enthusiasm certainly set the pace for the Lions.
2021 6-3 Mario Fleming, Cardinal Ritter – The athletic wing scored a team high 21 points, 16 of which were in the first half. Fleming thrives in the Lions fast-paced transition game. When facing man to man defense, he was able to use his strength and speed to bully his way to the rim past his defender and finish strong at the rim.
2020 6-7 Kian Scroggins, Raymore Peculiar – Scroggins is a strong imposing presence in the lane. He grabbed a total of 12 rebounds and scored 13 points. The lefty is a physical post player that was very effective in the low to mid-post area. Scroggins size and strength made it tough for opponents to keep him off the board as he scored easily on put backs, tip-ins and post sets.
2020 6-7 Lamontay Daughtery, Mehlville - The bouncy forward finished with 17 points. Daughtery played the game with high energy using his athleticism to attack the offensive glass for tip-ins and put backs. Daughtery is a consistent scorer in the lane, using a combination of length, bounce and a feathery touch to finish over defenders.
2023 6-2 Vasean Allette, St. Louis Christian – The freshman is a lead guard with strong ballhandling skill, good court vision and slashing ability. Allette has nice size and solid build for the position. He is a skilled passer and attacked the basket fearlessly finishing through contact. He also knocked down the open shots in a variety of areas on the court.
2020 6-8 Armond Williams, East St. Louis – The slender athletic forward excelled in the open court. In a tough shooting night for the Flyers, Williams ability to motor up and down the court and snag rebounds were vital to getting easy points on the board for the Flyers. Williams recorded 10 points and 7 rebounds.