Dual sport star shines
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One of the most historic arenas in the United States, Municipal Auditorium played host to a first year high school event on Saturday, the Best of the Midwest Showcase. On Saturday, the best quarterback in the building was also the best basketball player as shooting guard/quarterback Drew Lock stole the show.
Lock a true dual threat
On Wednesday, Drew Lock will sign a letter of intent to play football at Missouri. Before he gets to that, though, he is enjoying his time playing shooting guard for Lee's Summit (Mo.) High. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4 senior did it all during a 27 point outing.
With good size and strength, Lock is first and foremost a big time shooter. He has range that extends well beyond the three point line and he showed it off while draining four threes from well beyond the college three point line. But, Lock showed that he can do much more than shoot the ball.
On multiple occasions he showed off the arm and vision that has turned him into a four-star quarterback prospect as he dropped long bombs over the top of defenders and hit teammates in stride for easy buckets. Lock also showed off some athleticism coming from the backside for blocked shots and cutting along the baseline to catch and rise for two-handed jams.
Afterwards, Lock said that the option to play basketball at Missouri is there and it is something that he would like to seriously consider. However, the football program has big plans for him and it may be too tough to find time. If he is able to play, there's little question Lock could help.
Finally, Lock confirmed that he is all Missouri and will sign on Wednesday.
Young point guards emerge
The best of the Midwest Showcase gave a trio young of point guards a chance to show what they are made of. K.J. Robinson, Courtney Ramey and Jordan Barnes all had nice outings.
A 5-foot-11 junior at Blue Springs (Mo.) South, Robinson was outstanding on both ends of the floor as he led his team to a win over Webster Groves (Mo.) High in a battle of two teams that will factor into the Missouri state title race.
Strong and fast, Robinson pushes the tempo and leads his team both vocally and by example. He touches the paint off the dribble when he needs to get into the lane, finds open teammates because he keeps his head up and thanks to his bread and butter pull-up jumper from between 12 and 17 feet, he can also score the ball when needed.
Robinson plays tough defensively as well and the level he competes at rubs off on his teammates. Robinson told Rivals.com that his first offer came from hometown UMKC and he'll have Miami (Ohio) in to see him this week while Northern Iowa, Creighton and South Dakota State have shown initial interest.
Also leading his team to a victory was Barnes. A 5-foot-10 junior at St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers, Barnes struggled early against Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest before hitting a heave from just beyond halfcourt before the first half buzzer. After that, Barnes looked like the floor general who helped lead his team to a state championship as a sophomore.
Though he isn't big and doesn't have blazing speed, Barnes is quick and he's very crafty with his changes of direction. He listed offers from SIU-Edwardsville, IUPUI, Arkansas State, Indiana State and Missouri State to go along with interest from Creighton and Wichita State.
"It felt good as soon as it left my hand," Barnes told Rivals.com about his 55 foot heave. "It really spilled over into the second half. I just needed to see the ball go through the net."
Last but not least is Ramey. A 6-foot-1 freshman at Webster Groves, Ramey is currently all arms and legs and lacking in strength. But, his is logging major minutes for a very good high school program, has a terrific coach and a nice feel for the game. The release on his shot is currently a little low (typical of young players lacking in strength) but he is confident out to the three point line.
He shares the ball, moves smartly when the ball isn't in his hands and looks like he has the tools to develop into a very good player.
His Webster Groves team took a loss, but San Diego signee Alex FlorescaClick Headed to Missouri next year, Blue Springs South senior forward Kevin PuryearClick An unsigned senior, Sioux City North wing Daniel TilloClick More notes from the Best of the MidwestHere to view this Link. was outstanding on Saturday. He scored 31 points and led his team to a win over Columbia (Mo.) Hickman and he outplayed ArkansasClick More notes from the Best of the MidwestHere to view this Link. bound four-star combo guard Jimmy WhittClick More notes from the Best of the MidwestHere to view this Link. in the proess. A strong southpaw who is pushing 6-foot-5, Tillo is a highly accurate shooter and tough playmaker. He doesn't have a ton of wiggle off of the bounce, but his strength and ability to make closely guarded shots help overcome a lack of big time quickness. He hits the glass, leads his teammates and it's hard to believe that somebody on the low to mid major level couldn't find a home for him. A three-sport star, Tillo starred as a quarterback on the football team and is also highly regarded as a baseball pitcher.Here to view this Link. looked terrific on Saturday night. The 6-foot-7 combo forward has done good work with his body in the weight room and was playing with a tremendous motor. That motor is the key. Because when it is running high he can hit the glass, step out to make jumpers to the three point line (he made four of them) and he is also a valuable passer. Puryear made some impressive transition plays, locked down on defense and controlled his area of the floor on the glass. A three-star prospect, Puryear has improved since the summer's end.Here to view this Link. was tough on the interior. A 6-foot-8 post who plays with physicality, Floresca does a good job of keeping the ball high, finishing through contact and being where he needs to be. He will rebound his area, makes his free throws and looks like he will be able to score out to 12 feet before getting too deep into his college career.
Finally, Arkansas Little-Rock has found themselves a nice one in 6-foot-2 combo guard Tyson BatisteClick As mentioned above, it wasn't the best of days for four-star combo guard Jimmy Whitt. The future Razorback finished with 15 points and five rebounds but labored from the field making just 5-16 field goal attempts. Whitt did show that he can get to the basket when he wants and that he is a lengthy athlete with quickness. He also found teammates with good passes and stayed in front of his man defensively. But, his lack of strength was exploited at times and is the one thing that could hold him back as a freshman in Fayetteville.Here to view this Link.. The senior at Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo was good for 22 points in a loss to Lee's Summit and a lot of it came off the dribble. A comfortable driver to his left or right, Batiste can finish off the dribble and earns trips to the foul line. He's a good passer, has defensive potential and is a good enough shooter to keep defenses on their heels.
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