Statements Made: LA Hoops Fest Scouting Report

The word got out about the most recent Mal Mundy Hoops Fest TourStatement Session.

Over 30 college coaches came down to South Side High inYoungsville, LA, to scout over 40 prospects on the last Sundaybefore school starts up. South Coast scout Chris Dodson was in thegym and came away impressed with a few players still looking foroffers.

Most Impressive:I'vegotJaylen Peters (Liberty) as the bestplayer in the gym for long stretches, and it wasn't particularlyclose at times. The two-man game withChris Birden(Newman) was clicking, but Peters was the player who madefolks stop taking notes and just watch. It helps that it seemed therest of the team started deferring to his leadership prettyquickly, and that the other teams seemed to want to avoid Peters.Yet he still erased mistakes, could correct actions on the fly, andmade some impressive instinctual plays on pure athleticism.

You'll hear if Peters is on the court. A defensive leader, smartwith instant energy; anyone recruiting on winning attitude aloneshould offer Peters immediately. He called plays for others and wasa step ahead on both ends. Peters disrupted almost every action ondefense and found ways to score without the ball on offense. Peterssaid his favorite part of the game is playing in transition becauseof all that can happen on a fast break.

“When I’m alone on the court, I like to work on tougher shots,"Peters said. "I'm not the quickest with the ball so shooting,finishing over or through a defender is a big part of my game.”

Self-aware and credited teammates without prompting, Peters sayshe is ready to run as senior, “especially at Liberty where I havegreat guards who can find me at the rim.” Social media is full ofhighlights. Now, I need to see a full game.

Some highlights from AAU this summerpic.twitter.com/gLXzsCkJV1

— Jaylen Peters (@JaylenJaylen0) August 1, 2023

Most Overlooked:ClaytonBlackledge (St. Louis Catholic) bossed in the first game,just a solid performance knowing the situation. Not going to get alot of shots early and was the only available big man; no one elseon team above 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6.

I talked to him about cardio afterwards. Somewhat stiff, heneeds to take some yoga classes to get more speed and flexibilityin the hips. Get him a new desk in class or stretching bands with amat in the back for plyometrics. It would also help his second jumpon the boards. He missed a few rebounds trying to reload and getbalance. However, when he is fresh, there is some dominatetape.

Big fella has been extremely efficient andeffective today. Great opportunity for Clayton Blackledge! @LHSBCANOW#RecruitLouisiana pic.twitter.com/EoOkflDDvP

— St. Louis Catholic Boys Basketball (@slchsboysbball) June 25, 2023

He moved opposing bigs completely out of the paint, then won therace back down the floor more than a few times. He held positionson offense, giving the perimeter-heavy roster room to work.Blackledge understands and enjoys the dirty work of basketball. Hesmiled after setting a solid screen, the same as he did after ashort jumper.

Blackledge rolls to the rim well, with purpose. He sealeddefenders with force and finished second chances on the first trywith no trouble. He’d be a winning culture staple in low D1practice and could become a starter. He finished with both handsand hit a 14-footer after tossing something off the court. Hewasn’t fazed, just came back into focus for a pass and hit the shotin rhythm.

He had another pick and short-roll floater off glass that lookedon purpose. If it was a fluke, the kid might have a career in pokerif hoops doesn't work out. He talked more on defense when tired. Nobig man subs were available. but he was still doing work. He seemedto get a lot out of the run, but still wanted more wheninterviewed.

Ok #130 - we 👀 you! #RecruitLouisiana pic.twitter.com/RCbqi9nPt3

— St. Louis Catholic Boys Basketball (@slchsboysbball) June 24, 2023

Notables Needing Longer Looks:

Jordan Comanche (Wossman) works back ondefense. Helps cover mistakes and runs the floor. Beats his man tospots, gets space. Shot-form consistency seems off but making me abeliever with every made shot. The jumper form fluctuates, but hehits the open shots. A contested floater was wildly off the mark.Need to see more, but there are plenty of reasons to be morecurious about Comanche.

Chris Shiflett Jr. (Evangel) has hands slowerthan head, but the talent to catch up. Sees passes but sometimestelegraphs because he sees that play so early. Needs a bit moredeception to pull off the flashy stuff at 5-foot-9 or it seems morelike trying to force plays even in traffic. Talent is there though.Can finish crafty layups. Nice touch on high-arcing floaters.

Javon Johnson (Bossier)will gochest-to-chest with anyone. Gets downhill, tough handles withsomeone on the hip. Attacks lazy defense, gets to the rim, stays inrhythm. Seemed a solid shooter.

Jeremiah Lucas(Bonnabel)andGavin Lucas(Bonnabel) are similar to Johnson in that both play likethey are comfortable on concrete courts outside in the heat.Handles, passing vision, anticipation and can shoot. Bonnabel'stwo-guard tandem will be a pair to watch.