In loss, Gateway 16u shows promise
Team Knight 16u (Fort Myers, FL) outlasted Gateway 16u (St. Louis, MO) Friday night as the Atlanta leg of the adidas Gauntlet commenced.
Gateway mounted a strong second half push, bolstered by three-pointers from Lawrence Brazil III and Ernest Bellinger Jr.
If not for a remarkably agile block from Team Knight 2019 WG Christopher Spenkuch (Miami Norland), then Gateway would have closed to within three points in the final minute.
Scouting
Twin Rivers High guard Hayden Thomas plays sharp, creative basketball. Thomas displays good vision and adapts quickly as the scenery changes around him. He delivers wonderful outlet passes and frequently leads teammates into an attacking position. Thomas innovates.
Thomas had highs and lows defensively. Cyrus Largie (Mater Lakes Academy) blew by Thomas in the open floor, and yet Hayden Thomas forced a monumental turnover in the final two minutes by moving his defensive feet quickly.
Saddled with a right-knee brace, Kyran Rawson played well on the blocks. The Australian-born big has sure hands, but needs to explode into his layups more powerfully. A couple of promising post moves ended with helping guards blocking from behind.
Rawson’s frame is stout and the family continues to get him solid training. Like many young bigs, Rawson is still developing his post game. Rawson attends Anderson Christian School.
William Shumpert (CBC) was very assertive in the paint. He likes to involve others and generally only made unselfish blunders. Once he figures out when and where to find his AAU compatriots, Shumpert will be a top 16u player to contend with.
Keyyaun Batchman (Chaminade) might be the most threatening backcourt scorer on the team. Batchman stands 6-foot-2. His singular focus on getting to the rim frightened timid post defenders. The ruffian showed off a wonderful second leap reaction.
Ernest Bellinger Jr. (Fort Zumalt South) projects as a scoring guard, possibly at the low major level. E.J., as he is called, likes the arc. He is not the terror in traffic that Batchman is. Bellinger reads the floor well and spaces himself in dangerous areas.
Gateway Basketball Club 16u finished Dallas 2-2. With the Friday evening loss, they head to Saturday with new ambitions.