Mile High Classic Recap: Minnesota Comets Servanty claims 16U crown
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — It seemed each time the D1 Minnesota Prospects were ready to pull away in the Mile High Classic 16U championship game Sunday, Jacob Kava had other ideas. The tough, physical 6-3 small forward for the Minnesota Comets Servanty knocked…
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Continue ReadingLAKEWOOD, Colo. — It seemed each time the D1 Minnesota Prospects were ready to pull away in the Mile High Classic 16U championship game Sunday, Jacob Kava had other ideas.
The tough, physical 6-3 small forward for the Minnesota Comets Servanty knocked down 3-pointers, collected big-time rebounds and generally came up with big plays when his team needed most in taking home the title crowd after an undefeated run through the 33-team 16U division at the tournament near Denver.
“We had a great time as team,” Kava said. “We struggled a little bit during our first couple tournaments back home in Minnesota, but it must be the altitude up here. We got it together.”
Kava is a four-sport standout from Fargo, N.D. who also excels in football, golf and track and field. He said he is leaning toward pursuing football at the college level, but don’t count him out as a small-college basketball prospect just yet. Kava has the build of a tight end and isn’t especially athletic, but he is very solid in all aspects, competes like crazy on the defense end and can really knock it down from the outside. He also displayed impressive touch with a masterful tear drop late in the game that sealed the victory for the Comets.
For now, Kava said he is just eager to experience the rest of the grassroots season with a Comets team that is gelling together well.
“We played so well as a team and came together as a team,” he said. “It was really fun to see that we all meshed so well together, since none of us have played together really.”
Here is a look at a couple other players who stood out in the all-Minnesota 16U title game.
Jordan Belka, 6-6 forward, Comets
Belka runs the floor well and has a really good nose for the ball. He was around the rim all day Sunday, coming up with some tough, huge inside buckets down the stretch. Belka, out of Rogers, Minn., has a high ceiling, particularly as he adds to his frame.
Deland Phillips, 5-11 point guard, Prospects
Phillips is a guy that simply has that look of a solid lead guard. He has good control at the point guard position, executes well in the open floor and off the pick-and-roll, and he has a pretty quick first step to the basket, where he has a pretty creative set of tools to help him finish. Phillips was especially big in helping the Prospects knock of Colorado’s top 15U team, Billups Elite (which was playing up) in the semifinals.
Jayton Metcalf, 6-1 guard, Prospects
Metcalf is one of those players who just always seems to be making some kind of play. He has good athleticism, combined with a really strong motor. He knocked down a handful of 3-pointers in the title game, but it was the hustle plays that most stood out, particularly his determination to rebound from his position.