ECI Select 17U saw the Good & Wild of Grassroots Hoops
On Sunday night at Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minnesota the people attending the Minnesota Swish and ECI Select 17 and Under game got a first hand look at the fantastic and the underbelly of Grassroots Basketball. The Good.…
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Continue ReadingOn Sunday night at Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minnesota the people attending the Minnesota Swish and ECI Select 17 and Under game got a first hand look at the fantastic and the underbelly of Grassroots Basketball.
The Good. Yes the good, that’s what we should remember although the stories told in the future will likely be from the other column.
The good was a fantastic game that went into overtime matching some of the better seniors-to-be in the state of North Dakota and some of the up and coming seniors-to-be in the southwest metro of the Twin Cities. The game was won by the local team but both teams competed hard in a fun game that had late game drama and overtime excitement.
A new name surfaced this weekend as one of the top players to watch in North Dakota’s senior class and that is Jack Schaefer of ECI Select and New Rockford-Sheyenne.
Jack first caught our attention when he attacked the Swish defense with a quick first step and knocking out a 14-foot pull-up. That was followed by two attacking baskets beating his man and then forcing his way to the front of the rim to produce. His team went from down four baskets to down four points.
Schaefer next hit a corner trey to bring his team within one and then on his team’s last possession Jack attacked hard left, got contact, finished, made the foul shot, tied the game, and his 13 points in the final four minutes brought his team to overtime.
At 6-foot-1 with the ability to play both guard spots Schaefer is a player that is on our radar to watch closely the rest of the spring and summer. We also were impressed with the low post touch, power finish, and short hook of Collin Trottier (West Fargo Sheyenne) as well as the added strength that Nate Symens used to finish on a pair of attacks.
The Bad. Well, how do we go about this one. The gym was dark, there was no air on a humid day so the gym was overly hot, and of course the officials were on about their 7th game of the day. One particular official was having a very tough day after throwing out some coaches earlier.
PHD was not in attendance for the fireworks but we heard about nine eye witness accounts that included: players tussling, whistles blowing, technicals handed out to coaches and players, arguments between the official and, well, everyone, and then the other official trying to calm the crabby official. That didn’t work as he got a mouthful and then so did a parent who had something to day. With the fellow official, coaches, players, and fans now wondering about why the official was so upset that official cursed everybody out and left the gym leaving one official.
Luckily another official came to take his place and the game was finished but the show put on by the official will not soon be forgotten.