Challenge in the South: Underclassmen Recaps

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - In the younger brackets at the Challenge in the South, several players maintained their reputations as some of the best players in their respective classes and a number of underclassmen played well enough to be considered as some of the nation’s best. Cordaryll Desmond (right, a class of 2007 player from McAdory High School (Ala.), is one of those players.

Desmond, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound power forward, is one of the most athletic players at event. His play for the Alabama Challenge 15 and under team has been electric and rim-rattling. Physically, he doesn’t look like the rest of his class. As the tournament progressed, Desmond tried to dunk everything. But his game is fairly well-rounded. He does a great job of sealing off his defender on the blocks and his long arms, gives him added space for the entry pass. After grabbing the rebound, his outlet passes are textbook.

Colleges have had a chance to see him longer than most in his class. Why? He’s been a varsity starter since eighth grade. The youngster is getting early interest from Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Illinois. Expect his list to grow as he grows in stature.

Joining Desmond in the 15 and under championship game with the Challenge are a number of intriguing players. 6-foot-2, 190-pound shooting guard Cordarro Law has a great shot from the wing and he’s athletic enough to attack off the dribble. He’s a winner and knows how to get the job done. His time with Alabama 4-A state champs, Sumter Co. (Ala.) High School has helped him in clutch situations.

Hunter Houston, a 6-foot-5, 185-pound small forward from Mountain Brook High School (Ala.), had a solid round of pool play, finding his moments to score, rebound and dish off to his talented teammates.

In the 16 and under pool, the Rise N Shine AAU squad out of Mississippi had a hard-fought, well-earned trip through pool play and the semi-finals. A number of players helped propel the team to championship game of the Challenge of the South.

Lekendrick Longmire, a 6-foot-5 rising junior from Moss Point (Miss.) High School, put his talented team on his back in the semi-finals against the Alabama Lasers. His team high 20 points were highlighted in the fourth quarter in a neck and neck battle. He scored 10 points in the final eight minutes, and his shot just inside the three point line with less than a minute to go, put the game in the books. He’s a combo of great shooting, knack for the defensive play and high-major athleticism.

Jujuan Brown, a 6-foot-7 forward from St. Andrews (Miss.) High School, had a Swiss Army knife kind of day, doing a little bit of everything. His versatility shined through on both ends of the floor. There are very few flaws in his game but no glaring excellent points, either. Because of his well-rounded style and his physical abilities, Brown has high major schools calling on him.

Another quality rising junior forward was David Booker. The 6-foot-7 Moss Point High School product was the team’s best rebounder all day and he was just as clutch as Longmire, his high school teammate. Booker has an improving jumper and he’s extremely smart in late game situations. Like Brown, Booker is a high major prospect.

In the backcourt, Trey Frazer, a 6-foot-2 point guard was lights out when he shot it. The St. Andrews High School floor general is a strong bodied guard that has had a solid spring. He, along with Brown, will be playing at Iowa State’s camp later in the month.

Stay tuned to RivalsHoops.com for the coverage from championship Sunday from the Challenge of the South as well as more player updates.