Steel City Invitational 2017 (2018 Prospects)
By Kirven Lang
The Steel City Invitational is always a good measuring stick for teams and players. It’s a good spot for evaluators like myself to see kids compete against other college prospects all in one place. For the most part, the top kids did their parts and the improvement and confidence gained during the off season was evident.
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Reigning 6A state champs Paul Bryant High School was clearly the most talented team in attendance. Although they fell to Parker in overtime in the quarterfinals, the state championship rematch was full of highlights in the low scoring affair.
Tennessee Tech got a steal with Jared Sherfield (6’5” PG) who runs the show for Paul Bryant and does a good job of doing it. He shot the three ball well from deep and showcased the ability to effectively run the point guard spot. Sherfield is definitely more explosive this year as it was evident with his high flying acrobats. |
Daviyon Dennis (6’5” G) was a surprise as he is usually known to have a laid-back demeanor. He was pretty good during the week and his poise was his biggest asset. Dennis was never rattled, and his smooth game let him to some confident buckets off the bounce. He looked like a steal in the class whomever gets him. Wingate got a good one with Dylan Robertson (6’8” PF). He’s a pogo stick and victimized opponents catching weakside lobs from either Sherfield or Dennis. Robertson is fearless and contested every shot or dunk attempt. His jump hook was something he hadn’t seen until the tourney. Kailex Stephens (6’5” SG) is the X-Factor and he and Dennis should be getting more on the recruiting trail. He made shot with a similar form as Sherfield, finished above the rim with lobs or from simply running the floor. Auburn football commit Seth Williams (6’4” F) rounds out the loaded starting lineup. He can easily play somewhere on the next level for basketball with his freakish athleticism. Marcus Bates (6’6” F) is the heralded sixth man and is also a pogo stick. He doesn’t really have a position but with today’s game, position less basketball is in. He’s a good corner three-point shooter and finished lobs and put backs well above the rim.
Troy signee Xavier Williams (Photo Cred/Dennis Victory of AL.com)
Troy unexpectedly reeled in Xavier Williams (6’9” PF) and they won’t be disappointed with lanky skilled product from Parker High School. His best game was in the championship game against Huffman posting 29 points and 10 rebounds. Williams is more athletic than he gets credit for, but his skill set is what allows him to change games. His mid-range jumper and three ball is so fluent and looks as if it’s going in every time. Williams also caught a couple bodies with his sneaky athleticism. Jason King (6’3” SF) and Cameron Owens (6’3” SG) were also good prospects for Parker. King was more productive than Owens but Owens looks more the part. King is one of those position less guys with above average athleticism and plays really hard. Owens has the tools (athleticism, three ball and savvy) to be a player. He just has to add the production along with it.
Justin Allison (6’1” PG) was one of the leading scorers at the Steel City Invitational for Pelham. His ball handling under pressure was superb and with any space given, he was drilling the long ball. Allison’s savvy and swag kept defenders on their heels as he was able to draw double teams and find open teammates. Snead State was in attendance and put an offer on the table after a great performance.
Alabama signee Diante Wood (6’5” SF) is missing a few horses this year but it didn’t slow him down. He pumped in 35 points opening day against Vestavia Hills. Right now, he’s playing out of position being the biggest kid on the team but does stretch especially against zones. His adjustment to the next level will be interesting to watch. Murdock Simmons (6’1” G) may not look the part but is effective. He moves well with his chubby frame and does a good job of handling the ball in transition. We don’t know if he will go on to play collegiately but he’s an effective high school player who has a good feel for the game.
Justin Allison (6’1” PG) was one of the leading scorers at the Steel City Invitational for Pelham. His ball handling under pressure was superb and with any space given, he was drilling the long ball. Allison’s savvy and swag kept defenders on their heels as he was able to draw double teams and find open teammates. Snead State was in attendance and put an offer on the table after a great performance.
Alabama signee Diante Wood (6’5” SF) is missing a few horses this year but it didn’t slow him down. He pumped in 35 points opening day against Vestavia Hills. Right now, he’s playing out of position being the biggest kid on the team but does stretch especially against zones. His adjustment to the next level will be interesting to watch. Murdock Simmons (6’1” G) may not look the part but is effective. He moves well with his chubby frame and does a good job of handling the ball in transition. We don’t know if he will go on to play collegiately but he’s an effective high school player who has a good feel for the game.
Keenan Isaac of Midfield (Photo Cred/Dennis Victory of AL.com)
Cordova is primed to head back to the 4A state finals behind Jayce Willingham (6’4” SG) and Isaac Chatman (6’5” SF). Willingham had his best performance in the opening game against Parker with 26 points and 7 rebounds going 6-8 from three. He started off slow in a morning game against Sacred Heart but got it going the second half. Willingham is more athletic than I thought. Chatman was a highly touted kid early in his high school career and things have kind of slowed down, but Chatman has shown improvement in his game. His jumper looked pretty good along with his ball handling. For the most part, he was consistent throughout the weekend. Like Diante Wood, it will be interesting to see the adjustment for Chatman at the next level due to him playing out of position in high school.
Huffman was crowned the champions and it wasn’t unexpected as the top team in 7A has things rolling and they’re led by Itawamba Community College signee Travarus “Bob” Carroll (6’1” PG). In Huffman’s first game against LeFlore Carroll really coasted but every game after that, he turned the lights on. His crafty dribble and ability to get anywhere on the floor had opponents on their heels. He’s so unpredictable and shifty and is an early steal for the Mississippi JUCO.
Nick Preyer (5’8” PG) of LeFlore was the best point guard in the class as a frosh and he showed he is not to be forgotten with a 27-point performance against Paul Bryant. His crafty dribble allowed him to get past defenders and his jumper was on display as well. Preyer may be small in stature but he’s still clearly one of the better point guards in the class. Several Alabama JUCOs have been recruiting him thus far.
Midfield is one of the best programs in the state when it comes to player development and Keenan Isaac (6’3” G) is a proven player of that. He posted some good numbers all tourney and definitely fits the build as one of the best off guards in the class. His athletic physique allowed him to finish through contact and he has a good pull up jumper. Isaac can have the season that former Midfield guard Shyim Cunningham had last year with all the similar tools and size.
Eufaula may not have had the best tournament experience but Tyler Mayo (6’3” SG) proved he could play somewhere next season. Though his team struggled, his abilities didn’t go unnoticed. Mayo’s pull-up game is smooth and sets up everything else. His best performance was against LeFlore where he showed similar flashes like Justin Allison, keeping defenders on his hip and controlling the floor.
Last but not least is Luke Champion (6’3” PG) of Vestavia Hills. Crafty ball handler who plays with a pizazz. He and Allison were the “White Chocolate’s” of the Steel City Invitational. Champion is a solid D-2 prospect that can handle the point guard position effectively and like his Vestavia teammates, he will compete.
The 2018 class is shaping up finally and there are some solid prospects who will be able to contribute somewhere on the next level. Look for several of these guys to rise in the next player rankings as well as their recruitment to spice up a bit.
Huffman was crowned the champions and it wasn’t unexpected as the top team in 7A has things rolling and they’re led by Itawamba Community College signee Travarus “Bob” Carroll (6’1” PG). In Huffman’s first game against LeFlore Carroll really coasted but every game after that, he turned the lights on. His crafty dribble and ability to get anywhere on the floor had opponents on their heels. He’s so unpredictable and shifty and is an early steal for the Mississippi JUCO.
Nick Preyer (5’8” PG) of LeFlore was the best point guard in the class as a frosh and he showed he is not to be forgotten with a 27-point performance against Paul Bryant. His crafty dribble allowed him to get past defenders and his jumper was on display as well. Preyer may be small in stature but he’s still clearly one of the better point guards in the class. Several Alabama JUCOs have been recruiting him thus far.
Midfield is one of the best programs in the state when it comes to player development and Keenan Isaac (6’3” G) is a proven player of that. He posted some good numbers all tourney and definitely fits the build as one of the best off guards in the class. His athletic physique allowed him to finish through contact and he has a good pull up jumper. Isaac can have the season that former Midfield guard Shyim Cunningham had last year with all the similar tools and size.
Eufaula may not have had the best tournament experience but Tyler Mayo (6’3” SG) proved he could play somewhere next season. Though his team struggled, his abilities didn’t go unnoticed. Mayo’s pull-up game is smooth and sets up everything else. His best performance was against LeFlore where he showed similar flashes like Justin Allison, keeping defenders on his hip and controlling the floor.
Last but not least is Luke Champion (6’3” PG) of Vestavia Hills. Crafty ball handler who plays with a pizazz. He and Allison were the “White Chocolate’s” of the Steel City Invitational. Champion is a solid D-2 prospect that can handle the point guard position effectively and like his Vestavia teammates, he will compete.
The 2018 class is shaping up finally and there are some solid prospects who will be able to contribute somewhere on the next level. Look for several of these guys to rise in the next player rankings as well as their recruitment to spice up a bit.