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MISSOURI STATE CAMP: All-Tournament Team

Posted on June 17, 2018 by -

MISSOURI STATE CAMP: All-Tournament

A look at several players who raised their profile at MSU.

SPRINGFIELD — The finaL day of Missouri State Team Camp got underway on Saturday and featured several area teams battling it out in front of the Missouri State coaching staff, including new head coach Dana Ford who was on hand throughout much of the day soaking up the action.

Here, SWMOBasketball takes a look at several players who raised their profile at the event.

Anton Brookshire, 6’1, PG, 2021, Kickapoo (pictured)

Brookshire has drawn several NCAA Division I offers in recent months, including an offer from hometown Missouri State. He is a natural point guard who looks to set up teammates and get everyone involved. Offensively, he can knock down outside shots and get to the basket but also excels with his playmaking abilities as he finds open teammates for easy buckets.

Tyem Freeman, 6’6, G/F, 2019, Parkview

The Missouri State commit got an opportunity to play on his future home floor and in front of his future head coach, Dana Ford, who sat courtside on Saturday for the Vikings’ games. Freeman is putting together a huge spring running with Missouri Team Carroll and continues to be a highlight package waiting to happen. He has tightened up his perimeter shooting this offseason and is more comfortable off the bounce, pulling up for outside shots and getting to the basket. He enters the upcoming season as one of the state’s premier players.

Race Looney, G, 2020, Republic

Looney improves his game every year. He’s an incredibly active player who plays at a high level on both sides of the floor. He gets in the face of opponents on defense and has learned to use his body to get points around the basket. He can find paths to the basket and make teams foul him when he takes them in one-on-one situations. Looney is only going to improve.

 

Cale Miller, G/F, 2020, Mt. Vernon

Miller is an extremely talented player who is an offensive machine for Mt. Vernon. He has a great 3-point shot from the left wing and the ability to take his game inside. Miller moves well off the ball and is good at getting open. He has a high release to his shot and can shoot with a hand in his face. He also plays well in defense, someone who can handle himself against guards and rebound well under the basket.

Broc Smith, G, 2019, Republic

The ultra-talented guard/forward wing player is reminding spectators why he’s one of the most talked about players in the area. Smith is a lethal shooter who can put the ball on the floor and create for himself. He is excellent at finding his shot. He has a nice step-back and can finish around the rim well, too. Smith is always helping his team on the floor.

Zach Westmoreland, G, 2020, Joplin

Also a football standout, there aren’t many players better in transition than Westmoreland. Opposing teams need to really be dedicated to getting back on defense to keep Westmoreland beating them down the floor and then attacking the basket one-on-one against a single defender in the full court. He is strong, a capable ball handler and gets to the free throw line often. Defensively he can guard multiple spots as he combines good speed and quickness with good strength.

BLUE & GOLD: SWMOBasketball All-Tournament team

Posted on December 31, 2017 by -

BLUE & GOLD ALL-TOURNAMENT

DISCLAIMER: Our all-tournament team is solely developed and produced by the SWMOBasketball staff. It is not affiliated with the Blue & Gold or anyone else. We didn’t really consider players in the consolation bracket for the all-tournament team for a wide variety of reasons. First, it means more to perform in the winner’s bracket where the better teams are on a larger stage and in games that mean more … players in the consolation bracket are being considered and will be involved in the other developing stories that will be posted today and on New Years, but the all-tournament team is limited to five players, plus an MVP from the winner’s bracket.

GOLD DIVISION

Catholic 2019 guard Jake Branham was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

MVP: Jake Branham, 6’2, PG, 2019, Catholic

Branham was the SWMOBasketball preseason selection as the COC Small Player of the Year, but even given those accolades he seems to be a player who is flying under the radar in area basketball circles. He put together a strong tournament performance, including scoring 11 points in the Fighting Irish’s championship win over Republic in a low-scoring contest. He is a smooth ball handling point guard who makes plays off the bounce, gets to the basket and brings poise and leadership qualities to the court.

Republic 2019 G/F Broc Smith was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Broc Smith, 6’4, G/F, 2019, Republic

Smith doesn’t put up huge scoring numbers for Republic, in large part because the Tigers don’t put up huge numbers. They play defense, work the ball on offense and rely on good shots, execution and a willingness to move the ball, cut and set solid screens. And while he’s probably Republic’s most important offensive player, Smith has taken his game to new heights in other area’s this season. He was also one of the tournament’s premier rebounders, going for a game-high 15 boards to go along with 16 points in Thursday’s semifinals. He has also emerged as a talented defender and reliable post player. He went for a game-high 13 points in the championship loss on Friday.

Ozark 2018 guard Quinn Nelson was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Quinn Nelson, 6’3, SG, 2018, Ozark

One of the area’s premier shooters, Nelson put together a strong tournament to help lead Ozark to the semifinals where they fell in a hard fought game to Republic. Nelson brings leadership qualities to the court, as well as the ability to make shots from the perimeter and is an underrated defender.

 

 

 

 

Catholic 2018 forward Ian Cochran was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Ian Cochran, 6’7, F, 2018, Catholic

Cochran came up big for the FIghting Irish in the championship game, scoring a game-high 14 points. He was a presence in the paint throughout the tournament, scoring around the basket, defending opposing team’s big men, and showing off a nice outside shooting touch.

 

 

Republic 2018 point guard Hunter Creek was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Hunter Creek, 5’10, PG, 2018, Republic

Creek is a tough, no nonsense point guard who plays with emotion and passion. It was tough picking a second Republic player as there were four or five players who all had similar impact on the Tigers’ performance over the week, but Creek is a standout ball handler who brings elite speed and quickness to the court. Teams had a hard time staying in front of him and he made several forays into the lane and created chances for others.

 

Rogersville 2019 forward Luke Vandersnick was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Luke Vandersnick, 6’4, F, 2019, Rogersville

Vandersnick is among the area’s most versatile players, capable of playing in the paint, on the perimeter or handling some guard duties. Rogersville found a ways to scrap and claw out several hard fought wins, including the third-place game on Friday over Ozark. Vandersnick was among the tournament’s premier defensive players, showcasing the ability to defend on the perimeter as well as guard big men in the paint.

 

 

BLUE DIVISION

Mountain Grove 2018 G/F Cade Coffman was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

MVP: Cade Coffman, 6’4, F/G, 2018, Mountain Grove

With all apologies to everyone else at this year’s Blue and Gold Tournament field, Coffman had the best week of basketball of anyone. He might very well be the area’s best 3-point shooter, but can also post up, rebound and score from all over the court. He has solidified himself as an area Player of the Year candidate. Coffman had one of his best performances of the tournament in the semifinals against Kickapoo, scoring 29 points and hauling in seven rebounds while knocking down five 3-pointers. In Saturday’s championship game, Coffman went for 21 points and added a game-high 12 rebounds.

 

 

Mountain Grove 2018 guard Connor McNew was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Connor McNew, 6’1, SG, 2018, Mountain Grove

McNew has brought back the mid-range game to high school basketball in a big way. He loves the area around the free throw line and he’s nearly automatic whether it is with one dribble pull-ups or curling off screens and freeing himself for open 15-17 foot jumpers. Blessed with a big, strong frame, McNew does a lot of other things well on the court as well — he rebounds, defends and handles the ball a little. Like all of the Mountain Grove players, he brings an unselfish attitude to the court and plays within the team concept.

 

Mt Vernon 2018 forward Kyle Bushman (33) was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Kyle Bushman, 6’8, PF/C, 2018, Mount Vernon

Bushman has emerged as one of the area’s most underrated big men and put together a strong tournament. He is an excellent rebounder, a quality shot blocker and plays with terrific energy at both ends of the floor. He has an emerging offensive game in the post, can step out and knock down perimeter shots on occasion or even throw down impressive slams in traffic. Bushman was easily among the tournament’s top big men throughout the week.

 

Nixa 2019 guard Braeden Combs was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Braeden Combs, 6’2, G, 2019, Nixa

Combs saved his best for last so to speak as he came off the bench to put together a big performance in the championship game, scoring 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter as Nixa attempted to mount a comeback against Mountain Grove. One of the area’s most talented 2019 guards, Combs can do a little bit of everything well, he gets to the basket, shoots from the outside and is a strong ball handler in the backcourt. Nixa has a balanced team and several players who had their moments throughout the week, including seniors Max Bilbrey, Nathan Elmer and Tailen Canady, but for the Eagles to reach their potential this season they will need Combs to continue where he left off against Mountain Grove.

Mountain Grove 2019 forward Dylan Massey was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Dylan Massey, 6’4, PF, 2019, Mountain Grove

Three of six players on the all-tournament team for Mountain Grove may seem like overkill, but truth is, they all deserve mention, as does 2018 PG Carter Otwell. Massey was a force on the boards throughout the tournament and is a tough match-up in the paint for opposing teams. He plays with tremendous passion and intensity, and has some skill, able to step away and shoot a little from the outside or drive to the basket. His health is a big reason the Panthers are putting together a big season.

Nixa 2021 guard Kaleb Wofford was a SWMOBasketball All-Tournament selection.

Kaleb Wofford, 6’1, SG, 2021, Nixa

Wofford had several big games and gave the Eagles some scoring punch on the perimeter. He has 3-point range well beyond the 3-point arc, can create his own shot off the bounce and has a smooth mid-range game. He plays with confidence and is comfortable in a scorer’s role, bringing quality efficiency to the court as he understands good shot selection for a young player. While he puts up good offensive numbers, it mostly comes within the flow of the offense.