Big Tim's notes and wrap-up from The Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in Washington, Illinois!!!

First time at the event as I usually head South for Thanksgiving. Named for former Washington High School Head Coach Kevin Brown, who passed away from rare form of cancer called gioblastoma. KOBStrong Foundation raises a lot of money for cancer research. I'd like to thank Shawn Powell, Director of Basketball Operations, concessions, hospitality room workers, and everyone involved in putting the tournament on. Thanks for having me down in Central Illinois. Will try to cover it again in the future.

KEVIN BROWN MEMORIAL TOC STANDOUTS:

I was here for the first two days of the event, some great local standouts and national talent.

REESE ALSTON IS THE BEST POINT GUARD IN AMERICA REGARDLESS OF CLASS:

I first saw him at the Pangos Frosh/Soph Southwest last fall down in Dunacanville,TX. He was MVP of the event. He's gotten bigger (6'3") and stronger (added about 15 pounds) and his game has gotten better. Second Baptist (Houston,TEXAS) is a complete guard. Plays at his own pace, can score at any level of the court, gets where he wants off the dribble and is an exceptional passer and floor general. Defends in passing lanes and on the ball. Team came in second in the Washington Invitational division, but he was spectacular. Son of former NBA player Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alson, Lil Skip could end up better when it's all said and done.

OTHER OUT OF STATE STANDOUTS:

WASHINGTON INVITATIONAL MVP TJ OGBEIDE OF VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (LAKELAND, FLORIDA):

The 6'5" junior is an old school old fashioned big man who houses opponents in the paint. Plays with back to the basket and just dominates opponents scoring and hitting the glass. Runs the floor well, the big bodied and uses it well to shield off defenders. Had a double/double vs O'Fallon.

JOHN FLEEMAN, KINGSVILLE, MISSOURI:

Chattanooga commit the 7 footer senior center was a big time double/double machine who made some good passes off the high post to cutters and out to three point shooters. Monster scorer in the paint area and changes ends well for his size. Broke the record for the tournament with an 18 rebound per game average in two games played though team went 0-2.

TUCKER FOX, VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (LAKELAND, FLORIDA):

6'0" senior point guard showed he can score as well as distribute. He was scoring at all levels of the court and is a nasty three point shooter off the bounce or the catch. Team won the Washington Invitational and was consistent all tournament long.

CHRISTIAN FULLER, VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (LAKELAND, FLORIDA):

6'1" junior combo guard is a great small guard scoring combination with Fox. Scored from all three levels and took turns scoring and passing the ball, and feeding Ogbeide in the post. Team won the Washington Invitational.

MADDEN GEIGER, CALVARY CHRISTIAN (CLEARWATER, FLORIDA):

6'10" junior forward scores on the inside and out. Post up on the block and has a nice turnaround jumper, steps out and hit threes speciafically off the catch. Can create off the bounce with two dribble pull-ups, hits the defensive glass very well. Son of former NBA player Matt Geiger.

TYLER SABEC, CALVARY CHRISTIAN (CLEARWATER):

6'8" sophomore wing has a chance to be one of the top players in Class of 2028 nationally. Knockdown three point shooter, who can get his offense off the bounce, gave his team the lead vs The Eagle Academy For Young Men (Bronx, New York). Ended up losing the game on a game winning shot from Eagle. Long lanky wing who can get out in transition and catch lobs for dunks.

DENIM TROTMAN, THE EAGLE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN (BRONX, NEW YORK):

Mid range king. The 6'0" combo guard consistently hit them in game vs Calvary Christian. Employ him in middle of the zone and he's good from free throw line extended. Thing is he hit the game winning three in the game. Can handle and pass from either guard position.

J'LON "LONNIE" LYONS, CLINTON GRACE CHRISTIAN (CLINTON, MARYLAND):

One of the top junior point guards in the country, the 6'3" floor general is exlposive off the bounce. Is good at scoring off the bounce, finishing at the rim, hitting threes, and setting up teammates for baskets. Was consistent in all area the entire tournament in the National Classic.

TIM ANDERSON, PASADENA (CALIFORNIA): 5'11" senior is more of a scoring guard. Attacked the rim time and time again vs Metamora scoring 30 points in win.

ZAVIER ZENS, WISONSIN LUTHERAN (MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN): Northern Iowa commit 6'7" senior wing put on a scoring show hitting threes, step back mid range jumpers, post ups on the block to the tune of 33 points and 9 rebounds in overtime win over Pike (Indianapolis, Indiana). Was game MVP.

KAGER KNUEPPEL, WISCONSIN LUTHERAN (MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN): 6'9" junior wing had a double/double 22 points 11 rebounds in overtime win over Pike (Indianapolis, Indiana). Scored from three and in the mid range. Hit the defensive glass at a high level. Brother of NBA player Kon Knueppel.

JAHARI MILLER, PIKE (INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA): 6'3" junior point guard made some key plays vs Wisconsin Lutheran Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Scored on tough drives and finishes through contact. Scored 21 points and 5 assists making some nice passes to teammates. Nasty knockdown three point shooter.

LANDON LAMPLEY, PIKE (INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA): 6'7" sophomore wing did it all in game vs Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Versatile wing scored from threes, on attaxcks to the rim, and posted up scoring against mismatches.

RICHIE RAMIREZ, MATER DEI (SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA): 6'3" junior scored in every way imaginable to keep his team in it vs Morton. Almost willed his team to a win. Had 33 points and 4 assists in the game.

MORE OUT OF STATE STANDOUTS:

GIOVANNI MASON, 6'0" SENIOR, THE EAGLE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN (BRONX, NEW YORK): Swagger of typical New York City point guard.

WILL GOOLSBY, 6'4" JUNIOR, SECOND BAPTIST (HOUSTON, TEXAS): Knockdown three point shooter.

SHIA FRANCIS, 6'2' SENIOR, SECOND BAPTIST (HOUSTON, TEXAS): Navy commit is a King of Bounce with nice mid range jumper.

AMIR BRYANT, 6'4" JUNIOR, XAVIER ACADEMY (HOUSTON, TEXAS): King of Bounce who scores in transition off passes finishing at the rim.

MARTEN ALLES, 6'6" JUNIOR, XAVIER ACADEMY (HOUSTON, TEXAS): Versatile wing who can shoot it from three, and finish in transition.

EPIPHANE AFFI, 6'9" SOPHOMORE, XAVIER ACADEMY (HOUSTON, TEXAS); Flies up and down the floor finishing from dunkers spot, and hits the glass.

ZOJE OWINJE, 6'6" SENIOR, CLINTON GRACE CHRISTIAN (CLINTON, MARYLAND): Athletic wing who's a knockdown three point shooter that hits the glass.

JOSH IRVING, 7'0" SENIOR, PASADENA (CALIFORNIA): Texas A & M commit is a rim protector, changes ends of the court well, athleticism to catch lobs from dunker spot. Scores from the three point line.

TROY WILSON, 6'0" SENIOR PASADENA (CALIFORNIA): Point guard who can shoot it from deep and attack the rim for baskets.

KINGSTON KNUEPPEL, 6'6" SOPHOMORE, WISCONSIN LUTHERAN (MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN): Made three huge three pointers to help game go into overtime in win over Pike (Indianapolis, Indiana). Brother of NBA player Kon Knueppel.

TRE RAYMON, 6'8" SENIOR, SOUTH POINTE (ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA): Versatile wing brings ball up and sets up offense. Hits mid range jumpers, posts up on the block scoring over defenders in mismatches. Hits glass on both ends.

COLLIN MCKELLAR, 5'11" SENIOR, SOUTH POINTE (ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA): Jet quick point guard gets where he wants off the dribble, scores from three and on attacks to the rim.

LUKE BARNETT, 6'4" SENIOR, MATER DEI (SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA): Kansas commit did not shoot well from deep vs Morton. Showed he can attack the rim and score in a variety of ways at the rim.

IN STATE STANDOUTS:

BRYSON MOSSMAN, ROUTT CATHOLIC (JACKSONVILLE): 6'4" senior combo guard went off vs Kingsville (Missouri). Scored 42 points on 10 threes, hit five in a row at one point all from top of the key. Lefty can't be given any space to get shot off or you might as well take it out of the net.

COOPER KNOWLES, WEST HANCOCK (WARSAW): 6'10" senior forward showed the entire tournament he's definitely one of the top players in the state. Rim protection is elite, top 2 in that area. King of Bounce who's deadly in the dunkers spot, can hit the three point shot, and scores in the lane from 12-15 feet getting high on his jumper. Changes ends well. Making up for mising the live periods in the spring and summer.

BEN AKORO, O'FALLON: Milwaukee commit 6'8" senior wing can handle it, get to his spots to score off the bounce, nice mid range jump shot, and shoots the three. Versatile defender who can guard any spot on the floor at this level. Hits the glass on both ends showing he's in the mix for top player in the state.

ALEX MCKIE, MORTON: 6'1" senior combo guard is a tough hard nosed guard who played with a mask on his face protecting an injury. Did not stop him from hitting threes, attack the rim and finishing through contact, playing tough defense. Engineered an upset of highly regarded national program Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California).

JACK STEFFEN, DUNLAP: 6'0" senior combo guard scored from all over the court in win over Kingsville (Missouri). Showed two end ability as he had hands on a lot of balls for steals. Was Game MVP with 15 points 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

COLIN COOK, DUNLAP: 6'3" junior wing is a three point sniper. Hit multiple threes in win over Kingsville (Missouri). Had 14 points (4 threes) and 2 steals.

JORDAN CROWLEY, WEST HANCOCK (WARSAW): 6'3" senior combo guard hit some big threes in a couple of the games here. Hit them mostly on catch and shoot opportunities.

HUNTER FROMAN, WEST HANCOCK (WARSAW): 6'4" combo guard had a lot of ball handling duties, attacking the rim and scoring, as well as hitting some threes. Hits the glass on defensive end.

SAM KOCH, METAMORA: 6'3" combo guard fought foul trouble to hit some timely threes to keep team in the game vs Pasadena. Totaled 22 points in the game.

AYDEN KNEER, WASHINGTON: 6'0" sophomore combo guard hit some huge threes in win over South Pointe (Rock Hill, South Carolina) and West Hancock (Warsaw).

JAMES JOHNSON, WASHINGTON: 6'4" senior wing did an admitable defensive job on Cooper Knowles of West Hancock (Warsaw). Offense came alive in win over South Pointe (Rock Hill, South Carolina). Had 18 points (4 threes) 5 rebounds in that one.

KAYDEN TURNER, PEORIA: 6'4' sophomore combo guard filled it up in win over Pasadena (California). Watched this one online Thanksgiving evening. Scored 21 points (5/11 three) and made all tournament.

NOLAN MOSSMAN, ROUTT CATHOLIC (JACKSONVILLE): 6’2” sophomore combo guard is a sniper like his older brother Bryson. He hit threes off the dribble and the bounce scoring 15 points in win over Kingsville (Missouri). Looks like next up once his brother graduates.

BRENDAN PETTY, MORTON: 6’6” junior wing is a King of Bounce who had a nice dunk and a big three in comeback win over nation power Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California).