The 5th Annual Yoda MLK Showcase was filled with some of the top smaller schools in Oregon! I would like to thank Benjie Hedgecock for everything he does for the smaller schools and allowing BBallDream.com to be apart of it. Special thanks to Oregon3aPredicit for all of there hardwork. We appreciate you guys! Every year our goals has always been the same and thats to bring attention to smaller school basketball. Yoda MLK Showcase was filled with all state players, some of the top teams and a number of college coaches was in attendance!
I was able to attend the last three games of the night at Corban University:
(Boys) Dayton vs Sutherlin
(Girls) Clatskanie vs Sutherlin
(Boys) Amity vs Santiam Christian.
Below are my thoughts on both teams and games..
#1 Clatskanie vs #2 Sutherlin lived up to the hype and then some! Sutherlin is really good! They are ranked #2 but nobody will have an issue if they was ranked co #1 in the state. Clatskanie won in overtime 69-65.
Sutherlin
Head Coach Josh Grotting has his team playing at a tempo only a few teams can matchup against. Freshmen pg Micah Wicks has quickly become one of my favorite players to watch and college coaches need to take note for the future. She has excellent ball handling skills and see the court extremely well. Her ability to push the tempo and set her teammates up with open looks was impressive. Junior center Amy Dickover is skilled on the block and can score over either shoulder. She has really good hands and a soft touch around the basket. Paige Bailey and Jadyn Vermillion are skilled guards that can shoot and drive to the basket.
Clatskanie
Reigning Coach of the Year John Blodgett has his team focused and not looking past anyone. The Tigers are lead by reigning State Player of the Year Shelby Blodgett. Shelby is a force to be reckon with. She plays 1-5 on offense and arguably the best rebounder in the state. Her ability to take over games is like a cheat code on a video game. Dynamic guard junior Olivia Sprague can score on all three levels and is a match up nightmare. Kaity Sizemore was clutch for Clatskanie to help lead her team to victory. She showed off her soft touch from outside, low post moves on the block and the ability to make free throws.
#8 Santiam Christian lead by as much as 15 points and played amazing for three quarters, but All State Josh Wart (picture above) and #2 Amity never folded and stormed all the way back to win 54-52.
Santiam Christian
McDonalds All American nominee Koby Williamson made his presents felt against Amity. Williamson is a long 6’8 forward that is able to guard multiple position and has a soft touch from mid range. Koby was able to score on the block and dominate the glass on both offense and defense. He is really good at using his length to change shots and or block them without fouling. Senior Ben Garlsen is a big time shooter from outside. He spreads the floor so SC post can have room to operate. Joe MaQatish has really good court vision for a post and displayed some impressive ball handling skills from behind the arch. I really like how he crashes the boards and soft touch around the basket. Junior Levi Villers played great and looks to be the “X” factor that SC needs to win league and get to Coos Bay. Sophomore pg Jackson Risinger was impressI’ve as well.
Amity
As of today, junior Josh Wart has my vote for Co- Player of the Year. He was by far the best player in the gym and arguably in the showcase. At 6’6, he has the ability to do it all! Wart put on a scoring clinic with his ability to score in a variety of ways. On defense, he is able to guard multiple position and is a rebounding machine. Junior Keenan Graham was impressive and stepped up in a major way to help his team to victory. Overall, Amity is a gritty team and will be a tough out for anyone come state tourney time.
#3 Dayton was in a battle with #6 Sutherlin all night long. Sutherlin kept it close in the fourth, but Dayton pulled away in the end 53-49.
Dayton
This Dayton team has the ability to be the most dangerous team they had in a while. Why?? This is the first year I look at Dayton and wonder who is their go to guy. They are deep and talented in variety of positions and have numerous of players that can step up. Payton Garrison, Tyler Spink and Dawson Ashley all showed promise but Justin Morales controlling the paint will be key to their success! Dayton is in a tough league and will be battled tested going into the State Tournament.
Sutherlin
All State Senior 6’4 W Mason Gill is a stud and teams know to focus on him. Mason can score from anywhere on the court and is capable of making plays for his teammates. Sutherlin almost pulled off a huge win against Dayton and his teammates stepped up in a major way. Collin Bodine, Josh Davis, Kolbi Stinnett and Brandon Carr all came to play and competed for 32 minutes. I was really impressed with there toughness on both ends of the court and will be a team to watch in the Sweet 16.
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