Article Tag: daniel-abreu

BLUE & GOLD: All-Tournament Team (Blue)

Posted on January 3, 2019 by -

SPRINGFIELD — Here the staff of SWMOBasketball selects its all-tournament team for this year’s Blue & Gold tournament. 

The all-tournament team is not official and is not affiliated with the tournament and was selected by the SWMOBasketball staff.

12 — Luke Vandersnick, 6’5, F, 2019, Rogersville (pictured)

Vandersnick brings consistency to the floor and a willingness to do a little bit of everything at a high level. He combines good size, strength and athleticism and the ability to score in the paint and around the basket, as well as the ability to play on the perimeter. He can handle the ball and help run an offense, passes the ball well and plays an unselfish game.

35 — Daniel Abreu, 6’5, F, 2020, WIllard

Abreu set a new tournament scoring record with 125 points putting together several big performances throughout the week, including a 38-point game on the second day in a win over Fair Grove. He is among the area’s most skilled players, featuring good size, athleticism and the ability to able to put the ball in the basket from all over the floor. He is terrific in the low post or high post, featuring a quick first step, a soft touch and an array of short shots. He has improved his outside shooting stroke and can step away from the basket and knock down 3-pointers or create off the dribble from the perimeter as well.

10 — Ace Akers, 6’0, G, 2020, Nixa

Another strong and competitive player for Nixa who runs the floor and can create problems for opponents while playing defense. Akers is a smart player who has put in the time and is now one of the Eagles most important players on the floor. He makes good decisions with the ball and does not force plays to happen. He shoots when he is open and can cut back and find easy points because of it. He moves his feet well on defense and can come away with rebounds and kick off a fast break opportunity.

20 — Clay Butler, 6’0, G, 2019, West Plains

West Plains is easily among the area’s most improved teams this season and the performance of Butler and others this season has been a big part of the Zizzers success. Butler is an athletic, well rounded wing player, capable of defending, rebounding and scoring at multiple levels. West Plains has a host of players that stood out throughout the tournament, but Butler brought a consistent effort and versatility to the court throughout the tournament.

4 — Maurice Grayer, 6’1, G, 2020, Willard

One of the area’s better guards, Grayer brings good size, athleticism and the ability to create offense off the dribble. He works well with fellow 2020 Daniel Abreu as the two form a terrific 1-2 punch for the Tigers. He went for 19 in a first round win over Crane, added 11 in a second round win over Fair Grove and helped provide scoring punch throughout the tournament. Grayer is especially tough for opposing teams to contain in the open floor as he shows the ability to get to the basket and finish tough chances.

4 — Riley Oberbeck, 6’3, G, 2019, Strafford

A lethal scorer both inside and out, Oberbeck has established himself as one of the premier player in the area who come up big game after game. He has a great 3-point shot from the wing and his height and length help him get his shot off. Oberbeck also has a good mid-range, a player who can take two dribbles inside and knock down a pull-up jumper around the free throw line.

5 — Ryker Strong, 6’3, G/F, 2019, Rogersville

Strong is a skilled forward who put together a strong tournament, leading the Wildcats in scoring on multiple occasions. He can handle the ball, passes it well and makes plays for himself and others. He can score around the basket, gets to the free throw line often and is a competitor who can defend multiple positions.

 

1 — Dontae Taylor, 6’0, G, 2020, Parkview

Taylor took over a leading role with Missouri State recruit Tyem Freeman out with a knee injury, He is a varsity regular since his freshman season, can handle the point, score off the ball and has tightened up his outside shot. Taylor can get to the basket off the bounce and score in the lane against bigger players.

ALL-TOURNAMENT: OZARK MOUNTAIN SHOOTOUT

Posted on December 10, 2017 by -

ALL-TOURNAMENT: OZARK MOUNTAIN SHOOTOUT 

SPRINGFIELD — Several local players put together strong performances at this year’s Ozark Mountain Shootout, a two-day event held at Glendale High School that featured several of the top teams and players from around the midwest.

Here, SWMOBasketball takes a look at some of the top performers from our area.

Quinn Nelson, 6’3, SG, 2018, Ozark (pictured)

Nelson might have had the single best individual quarter in the two-day event as he lit up the scoreboard in the third quarter against Blue Valley Northwest, knocking down four 3-pointers, including three straight, and finishing with 16 points in the frame. He is a knock down shooter who can put up points in a hurry.

Daniel Abreu, 6’5, F, 2020, Willard

Abreu put together a terrific individual performance in the Tigers’ 70-60 loss in the nightcap against Kirkwood. He is a skilled forward with some bounce in his game and does a lot of different things well. Definitely one of the better young interior players in the area.

Jake Branham, 6’2, PG, 2019, Catholic

Branham showed why is among the area’s premier guards on Saturday as he didn’t back down from a challenge against Confluence, a team with some terrific guards in its own right. He went for 23 and scored in all manners, and distributed the ball. He was 7 for 7 at the free throw line, knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and got to the basket.

Anton Brookshire, 6’0, PG, 2021, Kickapoo

One of the state’s better young guards, Brookshire had it all working on Friday despite a tough loss to Pacific as he scored 22 of his teams 36 points in a 50-36 defeat. Brookshire is a smooth ball handler who gets to the basket, can knock down the outside shot and runs a team like a seasoned vet.

Jaxon Davis, 5’11, G, 2018, Glendale

A year ago, Davis showed he was among the area’s premier outside shooters, and this year he has taken his game to another level, able to get to the basket off the bounce and take a tough charge under the basket. On Saturday, he knocked down five 3-pointers, drew fouls while shooting the 3, and took defenders to the basket for layups. He finished with 24 points for the Falcons and showed an all-around game.

Monty Johal, 6’3, SG, 2018, Glendale

One of the state’s premier offensive players, Johal put together a big first quarter, scoring nine quick points for Glendale and showed off some improved bounce around the basket, throwing down a two-handed dunk in transition. He remains one of the better mid-range players you’ll see, capable of creating space and knocking down mid-range shots with ease.

Trent McBride, 6’7, PF, 2019, Eminence

McBride had the day’s best individual performance as an undersized Clever team had no answer for the 6’7 forward. McBride opened the game with seven points and seven rebounds in the first half, then went for 25 and 13 in the second half and had it all working. He scored in the block, he shot the 3, he faced up in the high post and took defenders off the bounce. And he was all over the offensive glass. He’s one of the better young players in the area and will help lead the Red Wings to a big season.

Broc Smith, 6’4, G/F, 2019, Republic

Smith helped Republic cruise to a 60-24 win over Forsyth on Saturday, scoring 12 points and showing an all-around game. He has been big for Republic this season on the boards and in the post as well as showing the ability to step out and play on the perimeter where he displays a smooth outside shooting touch.

Kaleb Wofford, 6’2, G, 2021, Nixa

Wofford drew the attention of Confluence head coach  Brian Karvinen for his abilities and despite being the focal point of the team’s defense managed to put up a team-high 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Wofford has had a strong start to the season and has emerged as one of the area’s top freshman.