Grassroots Preview: EYBL Peach Jam and Adidas Gauntlet
A pair of national grassroots tournaments featuring Missouri based teams will begin today and last through the weekend. Nike EYBL Peach Jam The 17U teams from MoKan Elite and the St. Louis Eagles will be competing in the Nike EYBL…
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Continue ReadingA pair of national grassroots tournaments featuring Missouri based teams will begin today and last through the weekend.
Nike EYBL Peach Jam
The 17U teams from MoKan Elite and the St. Louis Eagles will be competing in the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C. Both teams will compete in pool play for three days, consisting of five games. The top two teams in each of the four pools will qualify for the eight-team bracket round.
MoKan Elite finished the EYBL regular season with a 13-3 record. MoKan will face King James (OH), July 6, 6 p.m.; Expresssions Elite (NJ), July 7, 11:30 a.m.; Team Takeover (DC), July 7, 8:30 p.m.; Las Vegas Prospects, July 8, 9:30 a.m.; Howard Pulley (MN), July 8, 8 p.m.
MoKan Elite is led by former Father Tolton star Michael Porter, Jr., who averaged 22.8 points and 10.9 rebounds in EYBL league play. Trae Young, the top-ranked prospect in Oklahoma, averaged 21 points and seven assists. 2018 power forward Carte’Are Gordon (Webster Groves) averaged 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Xavier commit Jared Ridder (Kickapoo) averaged 7.4 points and shot 43 percent from 3-point range. Florida State commit Bryan Trimble (Sunrise Christian) averaged 5.3 points while 2018 Jontay Porter (formerly of Father Tolton) averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds.
The St. Louis Eagles were 11-5 in league play. The Eagles were one of surprises of the regular season after losing a majority of its talent from last year’s team that advanced all the way to the championship of the Peach Jam. They open Peach Jam play against Pro Skills (TX) on July 6 at 6 p.m. The rest of the schedule is Phoenix Phamily (AZ) on July 7 at 11:30 a.m.; Team Penny on July 7 at 8:30 p.m.; California Supreme on July 8 at 9:30 a.m. and Albany City Rocks (NY) on July 8 at 8 p.m.
The Eagles were led by top-ranked Illinois prospect Jordan Goodwin, who averaged 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in EYBL play. Guard Reginald Crawford (Chaminade) averaged eight points a game and shot the 3-pointer well. Guard Brandon McKissic (SLUH) averaged 4.9 points while forward Thomas Dutton (Hickman) averaged 4.5 rebounds.
Adidas Gauntlet Finale
The Adidas Gauntlet Uprising Finale will begin today in Spartanburg, S.C. The Gateway Basketball Club 17U qualified for the Finale as did the 16U teams from the Jets-Ramey United and Team Rush.
Gateway finished 5-3 in league play to qualify for the Finale. They feature a balanced scoring attack with a lot of size and length. They were led by 6’8″ forward Levi Stockard (Vashon) who averaged nine points and 4.6 rebounds. Yale commit Wyatt Yess (Parkway West) averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds. Forward Momaudou Diarra, 6’9″ (St. Louis Christian) averaged 6.3 points a game. Point guard Daniel “Peanut” Farris (Vashon) averaged 6.7 points and a team-high three assists a game and 6’7″ Javonte Perkins (Miller Career Academy) averaged 6.3 points.
The Jets-Ramey United 16U team qualified for the Finale on the strength of its perimeter play. They welcome back top prospect Courtney Ramey (Webster Groves), who missed much of the spring with a broken jaw. The 6’3″ Ramey returned in June and enjoyed a stellar week at the National Basketball Players Association Camp in Virginia. In Ramey’s absence, 6’4″ guard Torrence Watson moved into the spotlight during the spring as the team’s go-to player. Point guard Deandre Campbell (Parkway Central) and 6’7″ forward Gaven Pinkley (Hillsboro) are also players to watch.
Team Rush 16U team has a pair of excellent guards in 6’1″ Ronnie Bell (Park Hill) and 5’9″ Jalen Lewis (Liberty). Forward Sevon Witt, 6’6″ of Raytown South also enjoyed a fine spring during the Uprising Series.