Peach Jam Day 3 Early Report

Pool play is winding down here at the Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C., and for many teams this morning's competition represented a last ditch effort to earn a berth in the championship tournament that tips off tonight.

As usual, Phog.net was courtside to break down the play of some of the top Kansas targets at the event.

Ben McLemore – St. Louis Eagles – SG – Class of 2011

After logging just six minutes in last night's much anticipated matchup with the Mac Irvin Fire, played an increased role in this morning's game with Athletes First. Pumping in 12 points on 5-7 shooting, the athletic wing also posted 3 boards and a block in 18 minutes of action.

After hitting five three pointers in the Eagles first contest of the event back on Monday, McLemore has largely relied on attacking the basket to score, with varying degrees of success. Though he typically loves to hunt alley-oops on the baseline, teams seem to have the Eagles scouted fairly well – those lobs haven't been as readily available during the past three days.

Josiah Turner – Oakland Soldiers – PG – Class of 2011

In what was an ugly affair from the tipoff, Turner was perhaps the only bright spot for the Soldiers in the morning session, as they suffered a 25-point beating at the hands of Team Takeover.

Turner led the team with 15 points on 4-11 shooting, including 7-8 from the free throw line. He also dished out a pair of assists – no mean feat with how poorly the Soldiers were shooting – and pulled down four rebounds.

With the entire squad seemingly incapable of hitting a jumper, Turner took it upon himself to try and get things going by attacking the basket. His handles and quickness are simply ridiculous, and no Takeover defender was able to keep him from getting to the rim whenever he wishes. Their only recourse was simply to foul him.

Defensively, Turner was his usual solid self, keeping his man in front of him and shutting him down almost entirely

He'll have his hands full tonight, as the loss knocked the Soldiers back to second place in their pool, setting up a first-round matchup with the St. Louis Eagles  tonight.

Jabari Brown – Oakland Soldiers – SG – Class of 2011

This morning's game wasn't one of Brown's better performances. The ultra-talented shooting guard struggled on both ends of the floor, and was never able to get his typically dangerous jump shot going. Credit Team Takeover, who did a great job denying him the ball and hounding him at all times.

In 26 minutes, Brown tallied just five points on 2-8 shooting, and 1-5 from deep. Well known for his competitiveness, look for him to bounce back big tonight under the bright lights against the Eagles.