HoopHall Classic West: Top Performers, part I
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - The annual HoopHall Classic took over The Valley last week and some of the top players and teams came through for a major December. Our team has a lot to run through. Let's start with the top overall performers.
EVENT STATS: 20.5 points (17-29 FG, 2-9 from 3, 5-6 FT), 7.5 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists per game
I’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile player from the full slate of action of the Hoop Hall Classic than Williams. He’s a Swiss Army knife player and adds a level of aggressiveness that puts him in a position of the on-court alpha in these big match-ups. He was efficient in every category and impacted the game right out of the gate. It was a one-sided affair in both of Perry’s win on the big stage in their home state basically from the tip of both contests. Williams was the prime alpha on the floor and looked like a guy who is in store for a major year ahead in 2023.
EVENT STATS: 20 points per game (12-29 FG, 6-9 from 3, 10-12 FT), 2.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game
If there was a signature game on Friday, it came from the hands of the 2024 stud for the Florida powerhouse. Tucker pumped in 24 points on 8-14 shooting from the floor, including 3-4 from three. He played with that ‘it’ thing you see from the very, very good ones. Tucker made his 24 points seem easier than they really were. His jumper was fluid and found the bottom of the twine. He plays with great confidence mixed with an attitude of “let’s just get the job done”. Tucker looked like a player that warranted his top 10 position in the class of 2024 nationally on our rankings.
EVENT STATS: 22 points (7-13 FG, 2-4 from 3, 6-9 FT), 10 rebounds
He makes winning plays. That’s the trait carry-over trait that Holland seems to so perfectly tap into on big national stages in big national match-ups. When it comes down to making a play that matters, Holland will find himself in a position to be that dude. That’s a transferable trait to the college level and in big conference match-ups for the Texas Longhorns, Holland will be in this familiar role. And if history has proven anything over the years, he’ll likely step up and deliver. Pontificate all you’d like about his long-term value, the one thing that remains constant is his clutch gene. We saw this come into play in the second half against Cardinal Hayes. Holland relentlessly attacked the rim and scored in the paint with ease. He was also able to stretch the floor with his shooting touch out to the three-point line.
EVENT STATS: 16.5 points per game (10-21 FG, 2-4 from 3, 11-12 FT), 6.5 rebounds, 2 assists per game, 2 steals per game
If you’re looking for a level-up guy from the action thus far at the HoopHall Classic, Edgecomb has to be that guy. The native of the Bahamas played with a motor that was simply undeniable. He was on the constant attack and was a threat to get into the paint with the dribble on every possession. The class of 2024 wing touched every category of the box score and made onlookers do a double take on the roster sheet. You had to take notice because of his play. Edgecombe came strong with the action. He said he’s hearing from Georgia Tech, UCF, St. John’s, Mississippi State, and Charleston, among others.
