FORT WORTH, TX — The adidas Gauntlet series rolled forward on Saturday at the Game On Sports Center. The day was all about the big boys and the tough guy guards. 

TOP DOGS 

The duo of David McCormack of Armando Bacot are the reason for lack of sleep for at least three teams playing here at the adidas Gauntlet. The big men are just too big, too strong and too good to contain in the paint for any team they’ve faced here in Fort Worth. 

The Virginians displayed some big time touch as rebounders and strength as scorers around the rim. Their showing on the main court against Basketball U was impressive. College coaches were giddy after watching how hard the big men went after rebounds. It was hard not to be. 

AJ Reeves started the day strong, going 7-11 from the floor, including 6-9 from three. The big wing from Mass Rivals finished with a loud 21 points. He was one of the best performers of the morning games. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is a composite top 75 big man but he played the role of a top 40 national player in the morning game. 

Luguentz Dort has been on the HoopSeen radar since starring for Brookwood Elite at the 2015 Best of the South. The Canadian went for 27 points (10-16 FG, 3-5 from 3) and five assists in an afternoon win. He’s tough, strong and aggressive with the rock and every bit of the top 50 national player that he is. 

Montez Mathis dumped in 23 points on 7-17 shooting from the floor in a tough loss to YIISTX. He was 3-5 from three and got to the foul line eight times. Mathis is performing as well as any player in the field after two days of work. 

NOTES FROM THE NOTEPAD

I've watched Reggie Perry two times now here in Fort Worth and the future Razorback's best day are way down the road. That's scary. Because he's good now. The 6-foot-9 big man from Thomasville (GA) High School is a physical monster and should be a major problem in the SEC with his physical style of play. 

Dream Vision PF J'Raan Brooks played very well in big win over Game Elite. Big, nasty, aggressive in paint. Had 21 strong points.

The hottest player from Georgia in the tournament? That’s easy. Game Elite’s Austin Johnson is having his national breakout here in Texas. The Wheeler big man went for 21 points and seven boards. Moreover, he went to the foul line 14 times. Johnson’s name is trending with schools from the mid-major level and higher. 

HI, MY NAME IS… 

Kinda intrigued by Louisville Magic big man Christian Lorng. He played well against the Arkansas Hawks big frontline. The 6-foot-10 post player finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. It was a strong game for the class of 2018 prospect.

Florida Sons forward Jonathan Dos Anjos of Victory Rock raised some eyebrows with his play against Team Loaded VA. The 6-foot-8 big man is active and athletic and intriguing. He’s a nice sleeper in the 2018 class. 

Daquan Smith is No. 6 overall in our Mississippi rankings for the class of 2018. The 6-foot-1 guard from MBA Hoops/Holly Springs High exploded for an event-high 32 points against Team Rose. He’s an explosive guard that can get to the basket with ease. Smith will leave Fort Worth with some high-major interest after his showing here. 

THE BEST OF… 

Best speed: Ronaldo Segu of 1Family is a blur with the ball. The speedy Frenchman is just as quick in the open court as he is in the halfcourt.  

Best strength: David McCormack of Team Loaded had an and one dunk in the closing seconds of the game against manchild Blake Hinson, a big time two-sport athlete in the 2019 class. McCormack is one of the biggest young men in the building and bullied people around the paint without any trouble. 

Best “gotta see more of him”: Keep your ears peeled on Twenty Two Vision big man Jaxson Hayes. The long and lean big man from Cincinnati Moeller is showing flashes of a quality late-blooming post player. He said he holds an offer from Middle Tennessee State - a good sign of a sleeper - and inters from Kansas and Baylor. His high school team went 28-1 on the year. 

Best stat line: Oak Hill bound PG Ashton Hagans messed around today for Game Elite 2019 and record this clean stat line:  10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists. 

Best youngster: Greg Brown of Basketball U. The class of 2020 player has been one of the most impressive big men in the entire event so far. The young Texan has some Harry Giles (at the same age) to his game.