Texas Hoops Notebook: Thanksgiving Hoopfest

TexasHoops staff were in attendance for the annual Thanksgiving Hoopfest at Duncanville High School, and this year’s editin did not disappoint. The 2017 Hoopfest showcased some elite out of state talent, nationally ranked Texas prospects, and a possible state championship preview between the top 2 teams in UIL class 6A. TexasHoops analyst Lyndon Cook shares his takeaways from the event.

While it’s not uncommon to see impressive performances from elite out-of-state players at the Hoopfest, there was something special about Scotlandville’s Javonte Smart’s two days in Duncanville. After a 41-point game in a win over Dallas Lincoln on day one turned heads, Smart’s play on day two left jaws on the floor. In a matchup with 2020 5 star prospect RJ Hampton, the LSU commit went off for 59 points and 6 assists while leading his team to a 85-77 win over Little Elm. A late free throw miss prevented him for putting up 60, but it was the efficiency with which he operated that really shocked the crowd. 17-25 shooting from the floor with 8 makes from deep and 18 free throws really gives context to how lethal he was in victory. 100 points over two games is no joke, don't be surprised to see big things out of Smart in Baton Rouge next year.

On the flip side of that same coin, we were treated to a glimpse into the future with the play of nationally ranked 2020 RJ Hampton. While his Little Elm team struggled to contain Smart, Hampton was a juggernaut on the other end where he responded with 39 of his own. Hampton's pull up game and his finishing on the drive both drew plaudits from Saturday.

As if powering his team to a win with 37 points in front of Kentucky's John Calipari wasn't enough on day 1, De'Vion Harmon came back out on the second day to put up a masterful 23 points as his Wildcats rolled past previously undefeated Austin Westlake in a 83-72 decision. The Oklahoma commit was just too fast for Westlake's frontcourt, slicing into the lane with ease and finishing at the rim. Jalen Wilson's meteoric rise continued with a game-high 27 points, and he looked aggressive when attacking the rim and getting to his spots.

Another less heralded cog in Guyer's winning team comes in the form of 6-foot-8 2020 Ja'Kobe Coles. Coles plays with a high skill level and has great instincts around the basket, showing off some great touch passing in the paint. Georgetown bound Grayson Carter has his shot dialed in from deep and looks comfortable playing in a stretch role for the Wildcats.

For Westlake, Will Baker led the charge with 21 points. The highly coveted big man converted some tough and-ones in the first half to keep the Chaps in the game and showed off his ever-expanding range. Brock Cunningham scored the first 8 points for Westlake, and finished with 18 as Baylor commit Matthew Mayer matched his total in the loss

Success is something that is not at all uncommon to Prestonwood Christian's basketball program, and this year the program's title hopes are turned over to 2019 guard Justin Webster. Webster is a gunner who is going to get his shots up, and was impressive in a 29-point outing as PCA knocked off Alabama's Lee High School on Saturday. Mateo Escheik is another intriguing prospect on Prestonwood, playing solid interior defense and stretching the floor with his range on offense. These two will be key if the Lions hope to stretch their unequalled streak to a seventh straight year.

The 5A state championship picture didn't get any clearer over the weekend, with both Mansfield Timberview and Justin Northwest winning in impressive fashion. But it was in Timberview's victory over Booker T. Washington (OK) that the defending champs showed that knocking them off the throne will be no easy task. In Rice commit Chris Mullins they have a skillful off-guard who can light it up from outside. And when paired with future Fresno State player Isaac Likekele, a blue-collar slasher and lockdown defender, the two form one of the best duos in the state, regardless of classification. With a supporting cast like CJ Smith, Desmond Clark, and intriguing sophomore Ja'Qan Scott, it seems like the Wolves' winning pedigree has them primed to make another run to San Antonio.