Event Preview: Great American Shootout
The first live period of the summer had some big-time highlights for a number of Colorado teams and players. Billups Elite 2018 6-7 forward John Harge (Cal State Fullerton), Colorado Hawks 2018 6-4 wing Daylen Kountz (Air Force) and Hawks…
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Continue ReadingThe first live period of the summer had some big-time highlights for a number of Colorado teams and players.
Billups Elite 2018 6-7 forward John Harge (Cal State Fullerton), Colorado Hawks 2018 6-4 wing Daylen Kountz (Air Force) and Hawks 2018 6-1 guard Deven Nelson (Air Force) picked up new offers, a number of players gathered new interest, and several teams had nice showings against big-time competition.
If the first live period was about making a first impression, the second period is about proving the performances provided a week ago were no fluke. Colorado teams are headed out of state to put their best feet forward, and many of our players will land at the Great American Shootout in Dallas.
The tournament features three divisions — NBA, NCAA and NIT — and should provide tough competition for the Rocky Mountain programs participating: Colorado Miners, Colorado Chaos, 303 Elite, Elevation Flyers and Colorado Premier:
Colorado Miners 17U, NBA
The Miners will get tough tests in pool play against teams from North Carolina, Kansas City and Australia. (How’s that for some AAU travel?)
Coming off a couple nail-biting, overtime losses in Anaheim last weekend, the Miners are eager to flip the script, with a focus on finishing strong. Brevin Brimble, the 5-11 point guard from Doherty, had a strong first evaluation period, garnering new interest from Idaho State and UC Davis, both of which plan to follow him the rest of the summer. Alongside Wyoming commit Hunter Maldonado and Sierra’s 6-2 guard CJ Jennings, who has also seen his Division I attention pick up, the Miners certainly have the firepower to make noise in Dallas.
Recruiting has heated up for Brimble.One player who has been making big strides for the Miners is Jared Johnson, a 6-5 forward from Arapahoe, who performed well on the glass for the Miners in Anaheim. He should be a key player for the Warriors this season alongside 2017 standout guard Kyle Lukasiewicz.
Colorado Chaos 17U, NBA
It was a strong first weekend for the Chaos squad at the Mullen’s High Profile tournament in Kansas City, as they advanced all the way to the final four. Colbey Ross continued to prove himself as a go-to scorer and play-maker from the point guard position, and Jake Belknapp was also solid in the post.
Our friend at Basketball Colorado, Matt Langley, who was in Kansas City, reported that Colin Rardin was a big spark plug for the team, particularly during a dramatic comeback in the quarterfinals, when he had two steals and hit a pair of clutch free throws. The Chaos 2017 squad, led by the likes of Austin Remus and Jeremiah Pruitt, will also be playing in the NBA division. The Kyle Blair-led Chaos Blue 17s team will play in the NCAA division.
Colorado Springs Christian Lions 17U, NBA
Justin Engesser, a 6-6 forward who is among our top-10 players in the 2017 class, has picked up a bevy of interest this grassroots season while leading the Lions. Engesser is a highly versatile small forward who can be a one-man first break from the time he pulls the ball of the glass to his finish on the other end. He’s great with the ball in his hands and transition and will pull up from long range and hit with consistency.
Colorado Miners 16U, NCAA
Both of the Miners 16U programs — Elite and Premier — will be in action in Dallas, both in the NCAA division. For the Elite squad, Xavier Cooper has had a big grassroots season. He’s a tough, physical point guard who is a crafty scorer, good shooter and willing distributor. He already has schools tracking his progress.
The Elite squad had a great weekend in Anaheim, making it the semifinals despite being shorthanded for much of the tournament. Also coming up big for the Miners was Ryan Ongala, a 6-6 forward from Rangeview who had 10 points and 13 rebounds in a quarterfinal win over Under Armour-sponsored Splash City. Dimitri Stanley, the Cherry Creek guard, came up with six steals in that game.
Colorado Chaos 16U, NCAA
The backcourt duo of 6-0 Tyson Gilbert and 5-10 Tylor Trinh continues to impress, capable of catching fire in a hurry from long range or getting to the basket when the defense overplays the perimeter. Chaos is often at its best when they are getting into the open floor and are getting athletic contributions from 6-5 forward Goy Wang and 6-2 guard Xavier Johnson.
303 Elite CO Hoops, NCAA
The tag-team Grandview duo of LeChaun Duhart and Gage Prim leads the way for 303 Elite, which is coming off a strong spring.
Colorado Premier 16U, NCAA
Premier was last in action in Golden last week at the 5280 championships, where they fell in the semifinals to the Elevation Flyers. The squad led by 5-11 2018 point guard TeRae Johnson is eager to prove it can compete out of state. Premier should also get a boost from the return of Connor Staib, a 6-3 guard out of Mountain Vista who had a strong sophomore season before missing all of the spring due to injury.
Elevation Flyers 16U, NCAA
Cade Carroll, a 6-2 2018 guard from Buena Vista who averaged 20.3 points per game as a sophomore last season, led the way for the Flyers on their way to the 5280 title last week. Andrew Turner (Grandview), Nick Oster (ThunderRidge) and Darius Price (Cherry Creek) were also big for the Flyers.
Colorado Chaos 15U, NIT
Legend’s 6-0 guard Justin Babb and Monarch’s Riley Stimac are among the players to watch for the young Chaos group.
Colorado Premier 15U, NIT
One player really coming on strong for Premier is 6-4 guard Avery Rembao out of Loveland. Rembao, whose sister Tatum was one of the state’s best scorers on the girl side as a junior a year ago, has basketball in his genes. He made a nice contribution for the Indians as a freshman, and has shown solid growth during the grassroots season, according to Premier coach Mychal Martinez. He’s got good length on the defensive end, and he’s shown particular growth with his ball-handling and finishing ability, Martinez said.
Elevation Flyers 15U, NIT
The Flyers knocked off Premier 15U in a thrilling semifinal game at 5280 last week, as Carson Moorehead (Castle View), Sindou Cisse (Far Northeast Warriors) and Tyler Unger (Grandview) led the way.