JUCO: East West Challenge Player Recap

This past weekend the Mike Mitchell's East and West Challenege took place at Collin County College in Plano, Texas. Eleven teams received an early test as the Junior College season tipped off. Below are 12 of the top perfromers, as TexasHoops.com/GASO staff was on hand to take in the 15 games over three day challenge. The 12 players are listed in alaphabetical order (last name) and this is NOT a ranking.

CHE BOB - Sophomore - Forward - South Plains

Texas Hoops Analysis: Che Bob is a strong forward that is a rebounder and scorer. The 6-foot-5 sophomore attacked the rim from the perimeter and finished with contact. As he takes the contact, Bob connects on his free throws. Bob is strong and athletic and uses his size to body up to his opponents. Besides playing around the rim, Bob can step out and hit the three. Bob went for 19 points, finishing 10-13 from the free-throw line against Carl Albert. South Plains won 91-78.

TIM COLEMAN - Sophomore - Point Guard - Lee

Texas Hoops Analysis: A jet in the open floor, 6-foot-1 Tim Coleman took it right at his opponents. He broke down his defenders and create for his teammates. Coleman was able to break loose to get to the rim and score in traffic. He is hard to guard and hard to apply pressure to as he is quick. He is tough and initiates contact on both ends of the court. Coleman is a high-level guard that adds a three-point touch. The lefty will defend and cause turnovers, which lead to easy scores.

Coleman went for 29 points against Howard in their 95-83 victory.

ELIJAH DAVIS - Freshman - Forward - Odessa

Texas Hoops Analysis: He might not pass the eye test, but Elijah Davis is a hard nose forward that makes plays. When Odessa needed a big stop, a big rebound, or a big shot, Davis was the man that got the job done. Davis is scrappy and has the knack for being in the middle of a play and winding up with the basketball. Many times Davis grabbed a loose ball or an offensive rebound to lay it back in. He also showed that he was a sharpshooter nailing threes when he had his feet set, and was crafty under the basket.

LIAM O'REILLY - Sophomore - Shooting Guard - Collin

Texas Hoops Analysis: There is no question that the Collin County Cougars want the ball in the hands of Liam O'Reilly, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard. O'Reilly plays with a ton of spunk and plays with confidence. He knows how to read defenders and get open in a variety of ways. He pulls the trigger from the catch and shoot position and will take one-or-two dribbles to get separation. He is skilled and can lead the break.

REGGIE OLIVER - Sophomore - Shooting Guard - Howard

Texas Hoops Analysis: Reggie Oliver can take the floor and score in bunches, and he has the scoring punch that Howard needs from a sophomore leader. Though Oliver is a scorer, he will sacrifice shots to be productive as a passer and rebounder. Oliver can score from behind the three-point line and can get inside the arc and pull up. He has a strong frame that allows him to absorb contact. Oliver will defend and use his body to create room. Oliver had 37 points versus Odessa and averaged 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and two assists per game.

CORINTHIAN RAMSEY - Freshman - Point Guard - Angelina

Texas Hoops Analysis: Corinthian Ramsey was full of energy when he stepped out on the court to make his junior college debut, and he didn't disappoint. Ramsey was lightning quick with the ball in his hands and was hard to guard. The 5-foot-10 point guard shot pull up jumpers from behind the arc and took the ball to the rim in traffic to finish. He took contact and set up his teammates. In two games, Ramsey hit 31 and 30 points, and he did take a lot of open looks at the basket. He is a volume scoring point guard but fit right into the speed of the game.

JOSH ROBINSON - Sophomore - Shooting Guard - Trinity Valley

Texas Hoops Analysis: A competitor on both ends of the court, Josh Robinson of Trinity Valley is big and strong. He is a pure three-point shooter that takes every opportunity that he gets to square up and shoot the deep ball. He can get hot in a hurry and every time the ball is released it looks like it's going in. At 6-foot-5 and with a mature body, Robinson will drive to the basket when he has a clean view of the rim, and he will go into attack mode to get rebounds.

Robinson went for 20 against Odessa including a game winner (3-pointer) as time was running down. He averaged 4.3 rebounds in his three games.

CANDIDO SA - Sophomore - Forward/Post - San Jacinto

Texas Hoops Analysis: What difference a year makes. Candido Sa who had three years to play if he decided to leave last year after his freshman season at San Jac, but the 6-foot-9 prospect made his way back for one more year.

Sa has made himself into a high-major player with his body, length, and versatility. Just a year ago, Sa was raw and learning how to be a force in the middle, well, now he gets it. He is a perfect fit for the next level and works with his back to the basket and has added a perimeter touch. He is a catch and shoot forward and breaks free from defenders to get his open look. Sa rebounds, block shots, runs the floor and has a chance to be an elite junior college basketball player in Region 14.

Sa averaged 13.5 points, seven rebounds, and two block shots per game in his two contest. He also went 5-for-9 from the arc.

JACHAI SIMMONS - Freshman - Forward - Midland

Texas Hoops Analysis: Jachai Simmons was one of the most intriguing players with his lanky body and his ability to get to the rim. Simmons is 6-foot-7 and can get to the rim and finish over defenders with his long reach. He has nice body control in the paint and plays with bounce in the lane. He can get hot and stroke the three. Simmons doesn't attack the rim to just to score, he also grabs rebounds on both ends of the court.

Simmons averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and went 4-5 from behind the arc Saturday and Sunday.

EVAN TAYLOR - Sophomore - Guard - Odessa

Texas Hoops Analysis: Evan Taylor is a steady guard that can play both the point and the shooting guard. He showed a soft touch on his mid-range jumper and elevated on his shots. Taylor is shifty and looks to make the pass when he is handling the ball. He runs the offense and is a smart decision maker. He can hit the open three and defends.

JEFFREY UJU - Sophomore - Forward/Post - Western Texas

Texas Hoops Analysis: From Western Texas, Jeffrey Uju is a powerful interior player that will clear out space using his body. At a lean 6-foot-7, Uju rebounds and defends on the inside of the paint. He mixes it and will get trash buckets and claw his way to the ball on both ends of the floor. Uju is an athlete that has a nice feel for the game and can play with his back to the basket.

JONATHAN WILEY - Sophomore - Small Forward - Panola

Texas Hoops Analysis: Jonathan Wiley was a spark for Panola as one of their leading scorers. Wiley was able to slice the defense and get to the rim and score. His length allowed him to compete at the rim and finish in traffic, and he finished through contact. Wiley did drop an occasional three-pointer, but his strength was going towards the basket.

Wiley averaged over 12 points and five rebounds per contest.