Super 16: Sunday Standouts (Part I)
Teams from all over the Midwest converged on Ames last weekend at the All Iowa Attack-hosted Super 16. Adidas squad Omaha Sports Academy took home 16U and 17U titles, while host squad All Iowa Attack Red took home the 15U title. There was certainly plenty of talent showcased on Championship Sunday, here’s some of the best guards we saw.
Karson Sharar, All Iowa Attack Red 15U (Iowa Falls-Alden)
6’1 G, 2021
Perhaps the best scorer we saw on Sunday, Sharar poured in 49 points during his team’s semifinal and final triumphs. He’s a sniper from deep, and can get to the hoop where he draws contact well. We recently named him our Prep Hoops Iowa Freshman of the Year, and he justified that honor on Sunday.
Jaron Crews, All Iowa Attack Red 15U (Ankeny)
6′ G, 2021
Another solid guard from the championship Attack squad, Crews gets it done on both ends of the floor, but it’s his staunch defense that is most striking. He’s especially smart on the offensive end, and seldom makes mistakes, whether that’s with his shot-selection or passing.
Isaac Besh, Nitro 15U (Denver)
5’10 G, 2021
His team may not have gotten the W against eventual champ All Iowa Attack in, but Besh made sure to stand out in the L. He scored 16 second half points in the quarterfinal game, and canned four second half 3s in the process. Besh averaged 2.0 points per game for Denver in 15 games with the varsity as a freshman.
Braxton Bayless, All Iowa Attack Red 16U (Ankeny)
6′ PG, 2020
If there’s one thing that this sophomore play-maker is, it’s a catalyst. He makes things happen for his 16U Attack unit, and though his strength is attacking the rim and finishing, he’s able to kick it out to an open 3-point shooter better than almost anyone we’ve seen at the HS level. His Hawks teammates should get plenty of open looks next winter.
Jaxon Smith, All Iowa Attack Red 16U (Ankeny)
5’11 G, 2020
Speaking of Bayless’ Hawks teammates, Smith will be one of them next season. And while Bayless will bring the funk offensively, Smith will be menacing defensively. He’s got some of the quickest hands in the state, and his hand-eye coordination is elite. Ankeny will have one of the strongest back-courts in the Iowa the next two seasons.
Tamin Lipsey, All Iowa Attack Red 16U (Ames)
5’11 G, 2022
Just an eighth-grader, this future Ames Little Cyclones guard was playing up two grades with the 16U unit and still was one of the best players on the floor. His length and quickness allow him get clean swipes of the ball defensively; he came away with a slew of steals on Sunday. Offensively, he’s a crafty and skilled finisher at the rim. It seems he’s one of the Midwest’s best young guards.
Collin Lister, All Iowa Attack Red 17U (Carlisle)
6’2 G, 2019
This Carlisle Wildcat had a very strong junior season and it looks like he’ll carry that momentum into his final grassroots season. He scored 13 points in a hard-fought semifinal loss to OSA adidas, and did so primarily from beyond the arc, where he canned three triples.
Shereef Mitchell, OSA adidas 17U (Omaha Burke)
6’1 PG, 2019 (re-class)
We don’t write too much about out-of-state guys, but being that Omaha is just across the river, and that Mitchell was the best player we saw today, we thought we’d give him some ink. He was a senior at Burke this season, but we’re told he’ll re-class and do a year of prep school before heading to play D1 ball. He had offers from Drake, Loyola-Chicago and others, but it’s Creighton that he’s going after. Here’s a sample of what he can do.
Then this happened for OSA. What a dime from Shereef Mitchell then athletic lay-in pic.twitter.com/GOuFlyle7v
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) April 8, 2018