eBoss Road Show: Dixon Shines vs. Grandview

Monday night the Road Show made it’s way over to Grandview (MO) High as the host Bulldogs took on Lee’s Summit (MO) West. As expected, junior point guard Michael Dixon was excellent in leading the Titans to a 79-65 win but the game also featured another rapidly developing and unheraled player.

MONDAY STARS FROM GRANDVIEW

Michael Dixon - After some up and down moments during his junior season, Monday night saw Dixon play like the player that generated some national publicity and looks from coaches all across the country. Coming out into it on both ends of the floor, the 6-1 PG got started by looking to involve his teammates and create easy opportunities with his defense. After forcing some shots earlier in the season, Dixon got back to getting his looks through running offense and the results spoke for themselves. While first focusing on making his teammates better, he then scored on drives to the bucket after splitting double teams with slick crossovers, he hit pull-up jumpers and he was locked in from three point range. Grandview’s attempts to press him generally resulted in an easy hoop for LS West and by the time Dixon’s night was over he’d racked up 28 points, four assists, six steals and four rebounds while going 7-11 from the field (3-5 3 PT FG) and 11-12 from the free throw line.

Alec Burks - If you’ve been following local boxscores, you’ll notice that Burks has been putting up big numbers all season long for Grandview. A nearly 6-4 junior who has grown about three inches since this time last year, Burks is a smooth wing who handles and passes well enough that he could play some point or at the least be a very good secondary ball handler. More than athletic enough to go up and dunk in somebody’s face on the break – which he did Monday night – Burks is more of a skill guy who uses fakes, subtle changes of speed and a super feel for the game to his advantage. He’s a rhythm shooter who is much better getting into his shot off the dribble than catching and shooting. He only scored 12 points on Monday, but he set up teammates well and had a few shots rim out on him. As he continues to grow and add more strength, he could develop into one of the better juniors in the city.

MORE NOTES FROM GRANDVIEW

Among the onlookers in the stands was former LS West guard Rodney Givens. The 6-1 shooting guard recently transferred to Bishop Miege and started practicing with the Stags on Monday. Because of transfer rules, he won’t make his debut with the varsity until next season. … If the kids at Grandview can learn to play together a little more and do a little less gambling on both ends of the floor then they’ve got a chance to develop into a very good team. The nucleus of mostly juniors has size, some capable shooters and plenty of athleticism. … One more young player to keep an eye on is LS West sophomore Melvin Turner. A rail thin 6-5, maybe even 6-6, forward, Turner has a sweet looking stroke on his jumper. Because his team lacks size he has to play inside where his lack of strength is causing him problems, but he’s got the skill to turn into a very productive player in a hurry once his body matures. … Finally, we didn’t see him play on Monday but there continues to be a very good buzz surrounding the play of Kansas City (MO) Northeast senior guard Dominique Lane who was covered here about 10 days ago. Already drawing attention from Midwestern mid majors, Lane was expecting a coach from Colorado at his Monday night game. …

Schools in attendance- Missouri State, UMKC.

• Total teams seen- 181.
• Total games watched- 100.
• Total miles traveled- 15,847.

Up Next- Bishop Miege at St. Thomas Aquinas, Tuesday, January 29, 2008.