The annual HyVee Shootout in Kansas City, MO is one of the premiere high school basketball showcases in the Midwest , and the 2011 edition of the Shootout might have been seen the best talent in Shootout history. The Shootout put teams from Kansas against teams from Missouri in the Shootout, but it was the individual players that made this Shootout a classic.
Perry Ellis – c/o 2012 – Wichita Heights High School – The future Kansas star left little doubt why he is the 3 times Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. Ellis poured in 26 points and snagged 12 rebounds in a very ugly game to watch, but watching Ellis show off his wide range of skills on the court is certainly something special. Ellis can score in the post, from three, rebound and go and showed that he can both pass and score despite facing double teams.
Brinkley Jolly – PF c/o 2014 – Liberty North High School – The 6’6” Jolly showed an array of skills as he poured in 14 points during one of the early games of the 2011 HyVee Shootout in Kansas City, MO. Jolly’s size suggest he should play exclusively on the low post but his skill set allows him to not only score when gaining position on the block, but he also showed the ability to hit jump shots out to 15 feet. This northern Kansas City big man will certainly be one to watch in the Midwest over the next few years.
Vance Wentz – c/o 2013 – Shawnee Mission East High School – There aren’t many SG’s in Kansas that stand 6’3” and can hit 3’s like lay-ups as we saw Wentz do on his to scoring 15 points. Wentz plays for a very well organized and coaches high school team in which he is clearly the go to guy. Wentz showed he needed little space to get his quick shot off from behind the arc, but he also did a nice job of setting up his outside shot with an array of moves to get his defender up in the air or to blow right by him. Wentz also showed he could hit from mid-range and rebound from his position.
Branden Roark – c/o 2012 – Harmon High School – Roar is pure scoring. With the ball in his hands Roark can, and will, do what it takes to either put the ball in the basket or get to the free throw line. The 6’3” Roark scored 24 of his teams 52 points during their game, including two deep three pointers. Although Harmon lost by double digits, it was Roark’s ability to score that kept his team within striking distance throughout much of the game.
Shaquille Harrison – c/o 2012 – Lee’s Summit West – Harrison is known throughout Kansas City as one of the best Wide Receivers in the area, but the transition to the court seems pretty easy for the 6’3” senior. Harrison, who scored 17, scored in variety of ways for his team but it was his defense and his ability to rebound that made his stand out. Harrison seemed to show up in passing lanes all over the floor which resulted in easy baskets in transition for his teammates. Harrison’s athletic ability was on display, as well as his football mentality, as he crashed the boards and went for every rebound as if the ball had his name on it.
Monte Harrison – c/o -2014 – Lee’s Summit West – The younger Harrison on the court for West already is a player many are curious to watch over the next few years. The 6’1” Harrison is slightly shorter than his older brother, but his strength and ability to create space with his body makes him a very tough match-up at this level. Harrison finished with 12 points, including a huge 3 that seemed to ice the game for his team. But it was his thunder And 1 dunk that woke the gym up with excitement and energized his teammates.
Benny Parker – c/o – 2012 – Sumner Academy – The Nebraska bound PG from Kansas City might be the quickest guard in the entire 2012 class. Ankles breaking might be an understatement when talking about Parker. His ability to get into the lane and finish although he stands about 5’7” is spectacular. If the ball is in his hands – he is a threat to score from anywhere. Parker also impressed with his never say never attitude. On one play in particular, Parker hustled the length of the court and flew thru the air where he blocked a 6’5” opponent who was going in for an uncontested lay-up (1:00 mark in video). Parker will bring a lot of jaw dropping moments to the folks in Lincoln.
Clayton Custer – c/o 2014 – Blue Valley Northwest High School – The rising sophomore from the KC suburbs is already well known throughout the Midwest and likely got his name put on a few more lists Saturday night when his 16 points paced Northwest to a win. Custer showed he could handle the rock in
transition and run his team in the half court. But that’s not the show fans fill the stands to watch. Custer possesses one of the deadliest shots in the area and can make a small Northwest scoring run a very big one in a hurry. From three, mid-range or at the rim Custer is in range once he steps on the court.