THE RIVALS150: 2016 | 2017

BENTON, Ky. -- Five-star shooting guard Terrance Ferguson (above) had gotten off to a slow start during his senior season. He got things going on the final day of the Marshall County Hoopfest.

It is one thing to roll a bunch of talent onto the floor like Dallas (Texas) Advanced Prep Institute does, it is quite another to get them all on the same page and playing together. In a win on ESPN on Thursday night, API looked a bit disjointed and like they weren't yet playing team ball. Then they struggled on Saturday. On Sunday, though, they got things rolling and it was an impressive sight.

After a so-so first half against Huntsville (Ala.) J.O. Johnson, API got things rolling in the second half. First, Alabama-bound five-star senior shooting guard Terrance Ferguson got hot. He hit shots from deep, got to the rim and most impressively pretty much pitched a second half shutout on Johnson's five-star junior John Petty, who didn't move from the 10 points he had at halftime until late in the fourth quarter when the game was out reach. Ferguson made five threes and finished with 21 points and five assists.

Ranked No. 12 overall in 2016, the 6-foot-6 Ferguson is far from API's only weapon. Four-star senior Mark Vital got into the act late, throwing down several highlight-reel dunks while scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Class of 2017's No. 2 player Trevon Duval pitched in with 12 points and six rebounds and the point guard threw down several dunks of his own. Five-star junior power forward Billy Preston didn't have a huge afternoon with eight points, but was active late.

After watching him for two days straight, Samford-bound forward Justin Hopkins is the kind of kid that I would love to have on my side. After scoring 28 points and grabbing four rebounds while making all 11 of his field goal attempts on Saturday, the J.O. Johnson senior added 35 points (15-22 FG) and 10 rebounds in the loss to API. Standing 6-foot-4 with bouncy athleticism, Hopkins exudes toughness and grit. The vast majority of his buckets came on conversions around the rim where he simply out toughed guys with bigger reputations. It wasn't enough to keep his team from an 80-69 defeat, but he earned some serious respect from everyone in the gym for the way he played.

Few players have boosted their stock as much through the early part of the year as Deshawn CorprewClick A huge key for API in their win on Sunday was the play of CincinnatiClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.-bound center Nysier BrooksClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link. and 2017 power forward Robert BrownClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.. The duo combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds while splitting 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks is a big and strong back-to-the-basket post who can take and deliver physical punishment. He's got a huge frame to work with and is a guy who will be good down the road for the Bearcats. Standing around 6-foot-8, Brown is starting to come into his own. He has some athleticism and length to go with a good motor and he was in attack mode. Brown mentioned offers from SMUClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link., UT-Arlington and Incarnate Word.Here to view this Link.. The 6-foot-5 senior wing at Winston-Salem (N.C.) Quality Education Academy is playing at a level above his already lofty four-status and No. 112 overall ranking. Corprew made one jumper after another Sunday before finishing with 31 points and six rebounds in a 104-68 win over Houston (Texas) Victory Prep. Since de-committing from Arkansas Little-Rock, he says LouisvilleClick A huge key for API in their win on Sunday was the play of CincinnatiClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.-bound center Nysier BrooksClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link. and 2017 power forward Robert BrownClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.. The duo combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds while splitting 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks is a big and strong back-to-the-basket post who can take and deliver physical punishment. He's got a huge frame to work with and is a guy who will be good down the road for the Bearcats. Standing around 6-foot-8, Brown is starting to come into his own. He has some athleticism and length to go with a good motor and he was in attack mode. Brown mentioned offers from SMUClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link., UT-Arlington and Incarnate Word.Here to view this Link., IndianaClick A huge key for API in their win on Sunday was the play of CincinnatiClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.-bound center Nysier BrooksClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link. and 2017 power forward Robert BrownClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.. The duo combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds while splitting 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks is a big and strong back-to-the-basket post who can take and deliver physical punishment. He's got a huge frame to work with and is a guy who will be good down the road for the Bearcats. Standing around 6-foot-8, Brown is starting to come into his own. He has some athleticism and length to go with a good motor and he was in attack mode. Brown mentioned offers from SMUClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link., UT-Arlington and Incarnate Word.Here to view this Link., Kansas StateClick A huge key for API in their win on Sunday was the play of CincinnatiClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.-bound center Nysier BrooksClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link. and 2017 power forward Robert BrownClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.. The duo combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds while splitting 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks is a big and strong back-to-the-basket post who can take and deliver physical punishment. He's got a huge frame to work with and is a guy who will be good down the road for the Bearcats. Standing around 6-foot-8, Brown is starting to come into his own. He has some athleticism and length to go with a good motor and he was in attack mode. Brown mentioned offers from SMUClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link., UT-Arlington and Incarnate Word.Here to view this Link., Florida StateClick A huge key for API in their win on Sunday was the play of CincinnatiClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.-bound center Nysier BrooksClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link. and 2017 power forward Robert BrownClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.. The duo combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds while splitting 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks is a big and strong back-to-the-basket post who can take and deliver physical punishment. He's got a huge frame to work with and is a guy who will be good down the road for the Bearcats. Standing around 6-foot-8, Brown is starting to come into his own. He has some athleticism and length to go with a good motor and he was in attack mode. Brown mentioned offers from SMUClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link., UT-Arlington and Incarnate Word.Here to view this Link. and Virginia TechClick A huge key for API in their win on Sunday was the play of CincinnatiClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.-bound center Nysier BrooksClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link. and 2017 power forward Robert BrownClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link.. The duo combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds while splitting 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks is a big and strong back-to-the-basket post who can take and deliver physical punishment. He's got a huge frame to work with and is a guy who will be good down the road for the Bearcats. Standing around 6-foot-8, Brown is starting to come into his own. He has some athleticism and length to go with a good motor and he was in attack mode. Brown mentioned offers from SMUClick Even though Petty struggled offensively against the elite quickness and length of Ferguson, he managed to do some nice things. He was very good on the glass and showed some very good floor vision on his three assists. He has to handle the ball a lot for his team and he is skilled, but he looks like he'll be more comfortable off the ball in catch-and-shoot or quick-drive situations. Here to view this Link., UT-Arlington and Incarnate Word.Here to view this Link. are among those who have jumped in.

Finally, KentuckyClick A teammate of Corprew's and currently ranked No. 71 in the class of 2017, Renathan Ona Embo had a very good outing as well. A native of France, Ona Embo is a long armed and physically impressive scorer off the dribble. At 6-foot-3 he looks to be more of a natural two guard who can slash to the rim, but he has the handle to be a full time point if he can mix his offense and involving others.Here to view this Link. head coach John CalipariClick A teammate of Corprew's and currently ranked No. 71 in the class of 2017, Renathan Ona Embo had a very good outing as well. A native of France, Ona Embo is a long armed and physically impressive scorer off the dribble. At 6-foot-3 he looks to be more of a natural two guard who can slash to the rim, but he has the handle to be a full time point if he can mix his offense and involving others.Here to view this Link. was on hand Sunday to watch Trevon DuvalClick A teammate of Corprew's and currently ranked No. 71 in the class of 2017, Renathan Ona Embo had a very good outing as well. A native of France, Ona Embo is a long armed and physically impressive scorer off the dribble. At 6-foot-3 he looks to be more of a natural two guard who can slash to the rim, but he has the handle to be a full time point if he can mix his offense and involving others.Here to view this Link. and Petty. He stuck around for the final game to watch Jarred VanderbiltClick A teammate of Corprew's and currently ranked No. 71 in the class of 2017, Renathan Ona Embo had a very good outing as well. A native of France, Ona Embo is a long armed and physically impressive scorer off the dribble. At 6-foot-3 he looks to be more of a natural two guard who can slash to the rim, but he has the handle to be a full time point if he can mix his offense and involving others.Here to view this Link. of Victory Prep. Currently ranked the No. 8 player in 2017, Vanderbilt was active on the glass throughout and added some late scoring to finish with 20 points and 14 rebounds. He can pass very well, but at times he's asked to do way too much dribbling to try and manufacture something when simply moving the ball and re-setting the offense would be more effective. It would certainly cut down on the nine turnovers he had Sunday.

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