Prince selected as MVP in MAIS game

Leake Academy sophomore Samuel Prince continues to impress on the basketball court.

Prince was recently selected to play in the MAIS Future’s game and was named the Most Valuable Player in the contest.

Leake Academy coach Jason Morgan said Prince had double-digit points and rebounds on the night.

Prince helped guide the Rebels to a 26-12 record and a spot in the Class 5A state tournament.  He led the team in 3-point shooting, highest free-throw percentage and Morgan said he was the team’s most improved half-court defender. 

“I thought he just really took the next step with regard to everything,” Morgan said. “I thought he improved in scoring, shooting, rebounding, overall aggression, defensive intensity, and definitely leadership. He was voted one of our team captains by his peers before the season started. Not many sophomores get that honor on a team full of juniors and seniors. It just goes to show what his teammates think of him. And he did a great job as a leader all year.”

Morgan said Prince played a complete game against some of the state’s best upcoming players. 

“He did all the little things, filled up the stat sheet, and played a complete game,” Morgan said. “We were laughing as we kept track of his rebounds in the bleachers. He had 12 on the night. Add that to 16 or 18 points, several assists, how hard he ran the floor, how many times he set screens for teammates, and how hard he tried to defend, and there you have it. I didn’t see the complete stat sheet, but he had to have marks down for nearly every statistical category.”

Morgan said he sees Prince continuing to improve, even after he averaged 22 points a game last year.

“First and foremost, the kid lives in the gym,” Morgan said. “He will only continue to improve at literally everything — shooting, footwork, post moves, you name it. Secondly, I think he is really starting to see the benefit of off-season as well as in-season lifting. This year, I really saw him start to use his body well due to added strength from last year. Thirdly, he is the kind of guy who, now that he knows he is a leader, will start hounding other guys to get better too. He won’t just lead by example; he will pull guys in the gym, make guys work with him, and now we are talking about the holistic impact he will have more and more on the entire program.