Grassroots First Person: Hoops4Health
In our “First Person Grassroots Recap” series we take a look at how the travel team season went for one our state’s programs.
We spoke with Brendan Kolton who is the head coach and director of Hoops4Health 16U to get the details on their season.
16U
Record:
18-12
Championships/Accomplishments:
-Won Adidas Gauntlet Pool and advanced to the Top Bracket
-Won Bigfoot Las Vegas Classic Pool and advanced to the Top bracket
-Won NY2LA Next Level Invitational Pool and advanced to the Top bracket
Key Wins:
EG10 Adidas (IN), Quad City Elite (MO), St. Louis Prospects (MO), Oakland Soldiers Nike (CA), Castle Athletics (NY), and DTA Spartans (WI)
Overall Thoughts on Season:
Played 26 out of state teams and 6 out of state tournaments.
Multiple players getting ranked in the 2018 class including.
Every player establishing themselves as major contributors to their varsity high school team the next two years and potential college players.
Incredible achievements from a team that had only 2 varsity playing sophomores. Team played amazing defense and unselfish team basketball.
Standouts:
DeAndre Heckard 2018 of Romeoville HS and Eddie Creal 2018 of Joliet West had breakout seasons. DeAndre is a floor general. Smooth in transition and a great passer. Eddie has a high motor, scrappy defender, has great bounce, and slashes very well to the hoops. If they were under the radar before they definitely are not anymore. Brian Conaghan 2018 of New Trier established himself as one of the premier defenders and shooters on the circuit. Ryan Saunders Jr. 2018 Joliet Central is a player to watch too. Long for his position and rebounds and blocks shots at a high rate.