Player analysis: Indiana Junior All-Stars

The junior all-stars did their job this week in preparing the seniors for their annual series against Kentucky. Playing a pair of exhibition games, the juniors had enough talent to provide the seniors with a quality test.

The seniors swept the juniors, as they should, winning Monday at Seymour 104-97 and at Pendleton Heights on Wednesday 121-96. I announced the game Wednesday and was impressed with the junior squad. Most of the players I had heard of and seen multiple times while others were new faces.

Following the matchup with Kentucky Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, I will assess the seniors’ individual performances.

For now, I’ll highlight the key juniors. (And remember, these are observations from an all-star game.)

• Bryson Scott, Fort Wayne Northrop, Purdue — He was one I hadn’t seen in person, only on video. Scott’s a thick, 6-2 guard, similar to D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera. He took control of the offense at times, which I liked seeing, and also has a nice jab-step. He did struggle shooting the ball, just 2-for-8 from the field and 0-for-3 from outside. He finished the game with seven points and four assists. Compared to Yogi Ferrell or Ronnie Johnson, he’s a couple steps slower but has a bigger frame which is beneficial on defense.
  Grade: C+
• Demetrius Jackson, Mishawaka Marian, Undecided — Jackson is a guy who gets after it. He brought energy and competed at both ends. I would like to see him be aggressive and attack the paint more. He went to the free throw line just once but did finish the game with an impressive eight boards.
  Grade: B
• Zak Irvin,  Hamilton Southeastern, Michigan — Man, he can play. I was very impressed with Irvin’s play all game long. He’s clearly going to be the leader of the Royals next season, a role he embraces. What I liked most was that he was always involved. He was always in the play. His 6-7 length is tremendous, he has a quick step to the basket and he’ll hurt you from outside. Irvin led the juniors with 36 points and 14 rebounds in the two exhibition games. He’s seriously going to challenge Devin Davis for Mr. Basketball next year.
  Grade: A
• Collin Hartman, Cathedral, Indiana — Back to his old form is the first thought I have on Hartman. He’s battled a couple injuries, including a concussion that kept him off the floor for some considerable time. Hartman’s a 3, who loves to hang out around the 3-point arc. And, at least Wednesday, he made the defense pay. He finished with 14 points and made all three shots at the charity line. What he seemed to lack was aggression. Can he take it to the hoop, back down his defender and go grab some rebounds?
  Grade: B
• V.J. Beachem, New Haven, Notre Dame — To me, it seemed like Beachem never left a court. He quickly made a positive impression on me as a go-getter. Although his shot wasn’t falling, he still managed to grab 12 points and seven rebounds. Beachem was a do-it-all kind of guy. Not a takeover guy, but a player you can count on every night to bring it.
  Grade: B+
• Tony Wills, Ben Davis, Undecided — Didn’t know much about Wills before the game. Playing at Ben Davis, he’s guaranteed to be be tough. Scoreless in the first half, Wills went on a string in the second half to finish in double-figures with ten. He was a fiesty defender that got his hands on countless loose balls.
  Grade: B
• Devin Davis, Warren Central, Indiana — He was a much different player than I was envisioning. I pictured Davis as a 6-2 guard that liked to shoot it from outside and hustle. Not even close. Davis hung around the rim, took it to defender, and was active on the glass. Already 6-7, if he can bulk up, he’s really going to be a player at Indiana. Davis went 5-for-12 and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. He gave the seniors some fits and will pose many matchup problems. Davis and Irvin are my early favorites for Mr. Basketball next year. Two future Big Ten guys, playing at Class 4A MIC-Conference schools. That’ll be an intriguing race to follow.
  Grade: A