Let me just put a disclaimer here. I am in no ways qualified to be a basketball scout. This is just my opinion from casually watching the game last night while cooking dinner.
So last night Mouphtaou Yarou, Isiah Armwood and Montrose Christian took on Oak Hill Academy. I don’t pretend to know much about high school basketball, but from what I can tell, Oak Hill was the favorite. So it was no surprise to me in the end to see Oak Hill win for the 2nd time over Montrose this year, 69-63.
Without a doubt though, that was one of the most entertaining high school games I’ve ever seen. Both teams featured multiple future D-1 players, and it showed.
The main matchup was Yarou vs. the Oklahoma-bound Keith “Tiny” Gallon (6′9″-300-pounds-tiny to be exact). It was a good matchup throughout the game. I’d be biased if I told you Yarou got the best of Gallon. Gallon finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks while Yarou had 24 points and 7 boards.
Yarou couldn’t really handle Gallon’s, uhh, girth. Gallon continuously backed him down and just laid it in. In fairness to Yarou though, show me anyone in high school that can handle that kid one on one right now.
I will say this about Yarou though. He was the most polished big man on the court. For a kid who came from Africa only a few years ago, he is very seasoned. He’s got a good array of post moves, and most importantly, he knows how to finish. His propensity to dunk it, and dunk it hard, is unrivaled by anyone I’ve seen on Villanova in a while. He gets it by the hoopl and he’s not laying it in gingerly. I love that.
On defense, it’s tough to judge from that game because of Gallon. He had some good help plays and is a pretty good defensive rebounder when the ball is near him. Neither team had an interest in boxing out though, so there were always guys jumping for the ball and causing havoc. But I like Yarou. I see the hype now, and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t grab a starting spot next year with the departure of 3 frontcourt players.
As for Armwood, he finished with 10 points, but you immediately see why this kid has talked about not redshirting. He’s a freakish athlete that really reminds me of Dante Cunningham. He’s active on the glass, which Jay Wright will love.
Armwood’s two plays of the game were a flying put back slam off a missed jumper and an absolutely ferocious block that he hit so hard that it went out to midcourt and started a breakaway dunk for teammate Terrence Ross (who is going to be a star in my opinion).
Armwood’s game needs some more polish but there is a lot to like. He isn’t afraid to take the 12-15 foot jumper, and make it. He looks comfortable dribbling, which is always a positive for a frontcourt guy. And he’s active and plays hard, which you can’t teach.
Color me impressed with both players. They have loads of talent. If they play solid minutes next year, there is no doubt they’ll struggle some, but their futures are really bright.
…Did anyone else watch the game?…what did everyone think?…
