ScoreStream’s Players to Watch – Les Thomas

 

Heritage Hall's Les Thomas shoots over Oklahoma Centennial's Marcus Alexander during a high school playoff basketball game between the Oklahoma Centennial Bison and the Heritage Hall Chargers in Yukon Friday. TYLER DRABEK/For The Oklahoman.

To celebrate National Signing Day, ScoreStream has decided to highlight one of our undecided seniors, Les Thomas. Representing Heritage Hall High School in OKC, Thomas is a 6’4, 170 lb. shooting guard/small forward. In his 4 years at Heritage, Thomas has established an undeniable connection between his long locks of hair and his long distance shot. ScoreStream was recently able to catch up with him and ask him some questions we thought our fans may be interested in.

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SS: When did you first start playing basketball?

LT: I began playing basketball when I was about 6, but I didn’t take it seriously until my cousin from Hawaii moved in with my family. I really looked up to him and watching him play and watch basketball had a huge influence on me. It didn’t take long before I fell in love with the game, and from there on, I made it my dream to play at the highest level and have loved every moment of it since.

SS: What players or coaches have most influenced you to be the player you are today?

LT: Kobe Bryant! He is one of my role models because he wasn’t one of the most athletic players, but his crazy work ethic ultimately made him great. I try to model my work ethic primarily from him because I view myself as someone similar to him. I also look up to Klay Thompson. Mainly because of the way he plays and approaches the game. He doesn’t say too much on the court, but you can tell he always means business. He also doesn’t show a lot of emotion, but he clearly maintains a firm will to win.

SS: That sick crossover drew us to want and show you off to more fans. Is the crossover your favorite move? What is your go to method when creating a scoring opportunity?

LT: Thanks, yes, the crossover is one of my favorite moves except I usually opt for an in-and-out crossover. When I go 1-on-1, I like to use the jab series, then depending on how the defense is playing me it will expose the opening from the defender. I also like the crossover then step-back move because my shot is high which makes it difficult to block. Worst case, if they collapse on me, I’ll find the open man.

SS: It’s game day, what is your go to method for getting hyped up?

LT: My go to method fro getting hype on game-day is immediately fuel up. First thing, right after school, I go to NewLife and get get oatmeal cookie smoothie with sweet tart tea with a liftoff (like a energy drink), then I go to school and chill in the locker room with my teammates. To focus my head, I read my bible (3 chapters) and say a prayer before the game. Come game time, I get ready by playing loud music, which gets me hyped for the game. I put up some warm up shots, then I’m ready and prepared to play!

SS: What lesson have you learned from playing that you carry along in every day life?

LT: I learned that you have work for everything in life, and that nothing is given to you. You either give 110% of you effort towards your goal, or don’t do it at all. This way of thinking has taught me how to be mentally tough. I believe you should never give up because you don’t know how close you are to reaching your goals until you keep working and persevere.
SS: Playoffs are coming up quickly. Any goals for this season and moving forward?

LT: I have many goals for my team and secondly for myself. As a team, my #1 goal is to win the state-championship. My next goal is to play in the all-state game and have enough offers so that I will have the luxury to be able to choose what school I will attend for college. Personally a goal that I have set for myself is to not have any mental lapses. Being a senior, and the leader of my team, I have no choice but to be a great example on both on and off the court.

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SS: Any school records that you have your eyes set on?

LT: I want to break the shooting records for 3’s👌 at my school. I’ve tied our school record for 9 3-pointers in a game twice so far, but I’m confident I’ll break it this season.
If you want more of Les, you can check out his Twitter @LesThomas2017 or his youtube.
Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play

ScoreStream’s Players to Watch-Zach Thompson

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Throughout the year, ScoreStream is always trying to keep a keen eye out for players who are excelling beyond their peers. In this week’s special edition of Players to Watch, we are highlighting Triopia High School’s multi-sport juggernaut, Zach Thompson. Thompson is the 5’7, 140-lb, go-to sophomore that Triopia depends on every game. In his first full season of varsity play, Thompson is playing on both sides of the football and is accumulating quite the collection of highlight tapes on the basketball court. ScoreStream connected with Thompson to ask him a few questions that the fans want to know!

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SS: How did you begin playing sports?

ZT: Well, my dad is a football and basketball coach, so I feel as if I have practically grown up around sports. I always attended his games and quickly fell in love with the energy and atmosphere surrounding the games.

SS: What players or coaches have most influenced you to be the player you are today?

ZT: The first coach that comes to mind is Coach Monroe. He was my coach in junior high, at Winchester, and he has helped me grow a lot in basketball. It meant a lot to me to play for him and he was also a ton of fun to play for.

SS: The juke move drew us to want and show you off to more fans. Is the crossover your favorite move? What is your go to method when creating a scoring opportunity?

ZT: No doubt, The Crossover! It is my favorite move when I am trying to create space and drive to the basket. If you have the ability to confidently use both hands, it becomes straight up deadly. I usually jab hard with one of my feet to see if I can get the defender to bite. If he bites on the fake, you have them and can probably take them to the hole.

SS side note- check out the amazing play that brought us to reach out to Thompson here.

SS: It’s game day, what is your go to method for getting hyped up?

ZT: My pre-game method before playing usually consists of listening to some rap on the bus. But other than that, I HAVE to wear my lucky socks! haha I guess you could say I’m a little superstitious.

SS: Any emoji that describes you and your teammates?

ZT: The emoji that describes our team is probably the laughing face emoji 😂. Our team gets along really well and we also have some pretty funny guys. It’s just an all around good time with them.

SS: Playoffs are coming up quickly. Any goals for this season and moving forward?

ZT: I really want to get to the regional championship and I believe we are more than capable of achieving that goal. When our team gets going, we are a quality basketball team. As long as everyone does their job, we can beat anyone.

 

You can follow Zach on twitter @zachthompson_3 and check out his football highlights on hudl. Don’t forget to keep up with his games, scores, and highlights on ScoreStream.

 

Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play

ScoreStream’s Players to Watch-Kayla Lis

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Over the past year, ScoreStream has witnessed many young men and women work to transform themselves into the most skilled and prominent athletes in the country. In this year’s edition of ScoreStream’s Players to Watch, we have chosen to feature Neillsville’s outstanding Senior, Kayla Lis. Kayla is a 1-2 punch who combines an innate ability to drive to to hoop with a deadly outside shot. She has committed to playing next year for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Women’s basketball team. ScoreStream has recently been in contact with Kayla and we were able to do a short Q&A with her to help connect her with her fans.

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SS-How did you originally become interested in playing basketball?

KL-My parents and my brother played basketball which is how I got interested. I’m lucky enough to have a hoop outside of my house, which allows me to shot all of the time.

SS-What player has influenced you the most in becoming the player you are today?

KL-Jenny Lindner was a big influence on me. She showed me that hard work can allow you to achieve your goals in life. As I watched her achieve many goals, I became inspired to achieve my own as well.

SS-What song gets you pumped up for competition?

KL- Thunderstruck ⚡️

SS-Any other pre-game rituals that you do to get hyped up for the game?

KL-My team and I jam out and get hyped up for the game by playing music on the bus and the locker room. As far as pregame exercises, I like to do ball handling drills in the locker room.

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You can follow Kayla on twitter @kaylalis____ and also check out her highlights on hudl. Make sure to keep up with her games this year at Neillsville High School on ScoreStream and next year as she joins the UW-La Crosse Eagles Women’s basketball team.

 

 

Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play

Fab 50 Scoreboard

From GrassrootsHoops.Net to BallisLife.com Ronnie Flores provides amazing insight to the high school basketball world. In order to make sure ScoreStream users are connected to the very best high school coverage available, we bring you the FAB 50 (updated Feb. 1st) live scoreboard! To get the full recap on the Fab 50 ranking changes and to see more of Ronnie Flores work, visit here.

 

 

Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play