Malachi Moreno Shows Off Versatility in McDonald's All-American Game
It’s been a busy week for Malachi Moreno. On Thursday, the seven-footer finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocked shots in a Sweet 16 win. He would lead Great Crossing to three more victories over the next two days to give Great Crossing its first Sweet 16 Title. The next day, he flew to New York City to compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
A normal person would be gassed from the workload. The future Kentucky Wildcat sure didn’t show it on Tuesday night.
Competing against the best high school hoopers in America, Moreno came off the bench for the East Team and did a little bit of everything. All-Star showcases like the McDonald’s All-American Game are typically best suited for guards, but Mr. Basketball still found a way to shine.
Moreno was in the mix on defensive possessions. He deflected lob passes and swatted shots. Those weren’t exclusive to shots at the rim. He nearly turned an opponent’s three-point attempt into a halfcourt make just before the end of the first quarter.
Moreno did not try to force anything offensively. He was a willing passer out of the post and scrapped for offensive boards. We saw Moreno run the floor and finish through contact with a strong left hand on multiple occasions. But what was most eye-opening was his set shot on a corner three.
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Even though he did not start, Moreno was in the game when the East tried to mount a late comeback. They ultimately fell short, 105-92, but the future Kentucky Wildcat finished with nine points, a handful of rebounds, and two blocked shots. He made every one of his field goal attempts. The righty’s only three shots from inside the three-point line were with his left hand.
Even though most Kentucky fans are completely absorbed with the latest happenings in the transfer portal, tonight we learned that it would be foolish to sleep on Mark Pope’s incoming freshmen.
Future Kentucky WBB Star Kaelyn Carroll Makes it Rain
Kenny Brooks also had a future Cat in the McDonald’s All-American Games. Kaelyn Carroll was put behind the 8-ball. Her East Team fell behind 18-0 before she ever stepped onto the floor. That’s not an ideal situation.
Nevertheless, Carroll found a way to make a few plays on the court at the Barclays Center. She swatted a shot and showed her three-point range during the 104-82 win for the West Team.
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