Pretty passes to fantastic finishes: Top plays of Hoophall Classic

By: Logan Newman, USA TODAY High School Sports | January 21, 2019

When you put a dozen Chosen 25 teams into one tournament, you can be guaranteed of a bevy of highlights

The Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. featured the top seven teams in the country, rostered by Chosen 25 players including Cole Anthony, Isaiah Stewart, Sharife Cooper and Isaiah and Evan Mobley.

Here are some of the top plays of MLK weekend.

The scoring

We’ll start with the Saturday matchup of Montverde Academy (Fl.) vs. Holy Spirit (Absecon, N.J.). Precious Achiuwa finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, and the most resounding pass was this alley-oop to Harlond Beverly in transition.

Beverly finished the game with 12 points and two steals.

Oop City; Precious Achiuwa 👉 Harlond Beverly ‼️@Harlond20 @PreciousAchiuwa @MVABasketball #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/QRFsI24gDx

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 20, 2019

Perhaps the play of the weekend, Bryan Antoine of Ranney School stole an inbounds pass and slammed it home.

Warning: It was all-around vicious. Content may not be suitable for young children.

Bryan Antoine, don’t do it to em! 🤯@BryanAntoine_ @RanneyAthletics #HHClassic #NovaNation pic.twitter.com/7dMLLiLF2z

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

Let’s leave the paint and go to the 3-point line. Then, let’s go a few steps further. Then take another couple for good measure.

At that point, you might be in range of Wendell Green of La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.). He had 21 points in the win over No. 3 DeMatha, including this 3-pointer.

Wendell Green from deeeeeeep. How about that release?? @walkingbucket02 #HHClassic @LaLuBasketball pic.twitter.com/fuXd0BDbU3

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

A good hesitation move allowed Gerald Drumgoole to get to the paint. He went up and was met by Donovan Miller, who was trying to get in position to take a charge.

He didn’t get there. Drumgoole rose up and likely would have slammed it home, but instead he had to adjust through the contact to finish with the difficult layup.

Hesitation leads to the tough finish by Gerald Drumgoole ➕1⃣@g_drumgoole24 @DeMathaHoops #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/7B5pVQNja2

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

Offensive boards lead to put-backs.

That’s a lesson courtesy of KJ Martin of Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

KJ Martin from the RAFTERS 🤬@kj__martin @MVABasketball #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/zlJuny2fQ8

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) shooting guard Alyn Breed showed his ingenuity getting to the rim, spinning and going underneath a pair of defenders.

Sometimes, it pays to be a little guy.

Alyn Breen with something FANCY 🍥@alyndbreed @McEACHERNBBALL #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/bXbRMY5fjs

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

Pretty passes

Teamwork, chemistry and ball movement. Essential for the dominant program.

We got a look at some of the best over the weekend. Here are some of the top passes:

Federal Way (Wash.) High School’s Jaden McDaniels knows that as the defense rotates, he can find Jalen Womack wide-open for a 3-pointer.

Jalen Womack hitting everything for @FDubHoops 3⃣#HHClassic pic.twitter.com/vKynEYeZgO

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

Here’s an example of following an airball. Cameron Matthews of Olive Branch (Miss.) leapt to save the ball from going out of bounds and then Wes Taylor streaked in. His behind-the-back pass made for an easy finish.

This pass from Wes Taylor though… 😳@OBHSQuistors @Young_JT3 #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/dDlcyo6SoS

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 20, 2019

Four-on-two fastbreak? No big deal for Alyn Breed. He streaked past defenders and then made an impressive pass to Isaac Okoro.

Alyn Breed knows where you are. And he sees you 👀@alyndbreed #HHClassic @McEACHERNBBALL pic.twitter.com/Uk2sL33Vr2

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

Wendell Green’s best play might have been finding his big guy down low. A nice pass to Isaiah Stewart led to an easy dunk. Bonus footage: Stewart got a block at the other end.

STATEMENT.

No. 1 @LaLuBasketball defeats no. 3 DeMatha 73-50, capped with some ferocity from Isaiah Stewart on both ends ☠️@Dreamville_33 @walkingbucket02 #HHClassic pic.twitter.com/v0WNmsK0kn

— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) January 21, 2019

Remember that alley-oop from Precious Achiuwa to Harlond Beverly?

Beverly made sure to repay the favor. The transition game is a lot easier when everyone’s running, and the connection between the two is clear.

A nice pass leads to a dramatic dunk.