First time seeing Mike Ramey, Kellon Thomas, and the Southport team this year. I figured this game would be a great opportunity to see them play quality guards. Over the last two years, I've seen North Central more than any other team. I feel confident that I know their complete roster inside and out so I could concentrate on the Southport players.
North Central came out and put a blitzkrieg on Southport. North Central put intense pressure on every Southport player and Southport did not handle it well to say the least. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera knocked down 8 points faster than you can say his full name. Potentially having to play four games in four days; North Central substituted liberally very early in the game. They didn't lose a beat though and the second stringers played just as well as the starters. It was 27-8 in favor of North Central after the first quarter.
The second quarter was very similar to the first quarter. I believe that Southport committed 18 turnovers in the first half. Most were passing out of traps and double teams. Ramey and Thomas were never able to get clean looks at the basket while bench player after bench player for North Central came in and made shots. Most noticeably off the bench for North Central was John Murry. Murry hit two 3's in the first quarter and then added a couple more baskets in the second quarter.
North Central led 46-20 at halftime and the game was essentially over. Murry continued to play well in the second half and finished with a game-high 19 points. Darius Latham converted inside for 10 points while Dedric Griffin dominated the offensive boards on his way to 10 points and 7 rebounds. DSR added 14 points on an off shooting night for him...only 5-12.
North Central 84 Southport 50
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Mike Ramey 6'4 SG 2012 Southport
Ramey struggled big time against the quality competition of North Central. He was shaky in the press breaker, throwing the ball away a couple of times. He wasn't able to get past the NC defenders off the drive. His shot selection was mediocre at best, but that was made worse by the lopsided score. I like Ramey's catch and shoot game, but I've never seen him consistently hit shots off the dribble against above average defenders. He is slightly above average in the lateral quickness area. I would really like him to take care of the ball better in terms of passing out of traps and handle it better in the half court against pressure. I put Ramey on the MM/MM- fringe until he improves these areas.
Kellon Thomas 5'10 PG 2012 Southport
Thomas did some good things against Ronnie Johnson and the other North Central guards. I thought that Johnson and DSR got the best of Thomas in the matchup though. Thomas is really good when he is attacking the basket. He has very good upper body strength and he can finish near the rim. He struggled with his shooting outside of 15 feet. Thomas will definitely need to work on that but like Ramey, shot selection makes his shooting look worse than it is. Thomas should be really good at the MM/MM- level. He would need to be more steady with the ball and a better shooter to play for the upper tier MM level programs.
John Murry 6'3 SG 2013 North Central
I have always like Murry since I saw him playing junior varsity for North Central last season. He didn't have a spectacular spring/summer with EG10 and his playing time has been sparse so far this season with North Central. Tonight he showed what he is capable of doing down the road. He is an above average athlete although not elite level. He can shoot it from deep, he can put the ball on the deck, and he can pass the ball. I project him at the LM+ level right now.
Jordan Williams 6'4 PF 2012 North Central
Williams is a role player for North Central. A high energy athlete that rebounds, plays defense, and gets garbage buckets on the offensive end. He's a guy that NAIA programs should keep an eye on going into the summer and next year.
KeWan Davis 6'6 PF 2012 Southport
Davis is listed at 6'7, but I think he is closer to 6'5. I split the difference and listed him at 6'6. Long, athlete that I haven't seen much else out of yet. He is also rail thin right now. Right now, I project him at the D2/NAIA level but he has a year to improve his skill set.
Jeff Harris 5'8 PG 2014 North Central
First time that I saw Harris get quality minutes in a varsity game. I have liked what I have seen of him in junior varsity games and I also liked how he played tonight. He is a bit stocky right now kind of in the D.J. Balentine mold. Harris even plays like Balentine a bit. He can finish inside and is a good outside shooter. Quicker than his frame would lead you to believe. I feel like he is going to be on the MM/LM fringe by the time it is all done...which is a long time from now.
Dedric Griffin 6'5 PF 2011 North Central
Griffin is much like Williams, but more skilled. Griffin can handle the ball a little bit and will hit the mid-range jumper. I haven't seen him knock down shots from outside of 15 feet though consistently. I like Griffin for the NAIA/D3 level. Where he can play inside and outside while guarding multiple positions and being a high energy role player.
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