Inspire Rise Above Tournament: top scorers
July live period is over, and plenty of Arizona’s talented basketball players are back in-state to compete before school and, eventually, high school basketball starts.
Here are some of the top scorers from the Inspire Rise Above Tournament in Gilbert, Arizona.
Isaiah Somers played a major role for the Alpha Males all tournament, getting to the basket with the ball at will to hit lay ups and draw fouls. When defenders sagged off him, he shot confidently from mid-range and made on-ball opponents respect his jumper. His scoring allowed more space for his talented teammates as well, and helped the group claim the 1-seed in pool play.
Jonah LaBranche and Juhlwenei Stone were the one-two scoring punch, especially on the first day, for Team Phoenix. The two players of size for a team with mostly smaller players, they both got to the rim and drew fouls well. LaBranche played an effective post game, mostly using his left hand against smaller defenders. Stone also played close to the basket, but preferred to face the basket and make short, effective moves and shoot from short-range.
Kamrin Evans of AZ Future scored from all ends on a team that had few players able to put up consistent buckets against tough opponents. He was mostly effective facing the basket and making smart back-cuts to draw fouls.
Jalen Graham of Alpha Males is known by Arizona preps fans as one of the best post players in the state. There is not much more to say, as he continued to show the same ability in this tournament, hitting over both shoulders and even knocking down a jumper or two.
Dajon Walker of Inspire, as was the trend in this tournament, was consistent at getting to the basket for lay ups and second-chance points. He showed a lot of heart and hustle early, as the team had no subs in the first half of the first game, and he never seemed to tire while consistently attacking.