Bluff City Gold Wins Late, Key Players Perform

In their opening Atlanta Jam game Friday evening, Bluff City Gold 17u defeated Jupiter Jaguars, 53-44.

While Bluff City Gold is a team out of Memphis, Jupiter's Jaguars is largely composed of Jupiter, Florida players.  

MVP

SG Zane Butler (Greene County Tech High, Arkansas– 2020)

Wonderful shooting night for Zane.  Butler hit four three pointers and helped open up the lead late.  Butler finished with 15 points.

Best Offensive Performance

Wing Kylan Haywood (Memphis East – 2020)

Junior wing Haywood gave 10 points in heavy minutes.  Kylan's strength is an asset.  He doesn't turn the ball over much and has the ideal body type to draw fouls.

Best Passer

PG Kavion McClain (Whitehaven – 2020)

You can't NOT like Kavion McClain.  Such a patient passer.  He rarely forces the pass, but usually finds the right man in the right spot.  Strong game offensively.

Best Shooter

Nobody

The Bluff City GOLD 17u team didn't take or make many outside shots.  To their credit they crafted their way to the rim most of the time.  Most of the players are known as wizards in the lane.  Still, shooting in the "outside the lane" sense didn't happen often.

Best Bench Player

Wing Devine Owens (Whitehaven – 2020)

Devine Owens scored seven points off the bench.  The sturdy guard gave five points in the second half, including an outside shot.  He is ranked in the Top 100 in the state.

Wing Kylan Haywood (Memphis East – 2020)

Kylan's scoring was steady throughout.  Even though Kavion was wonderful with the basketball and Payton rebounded very well, Kylan gave the team both composure and consistency.

Forward Presence

F Decorian Payton (Center Hill– 2020)

To balance out the floor, Payton was very important to the cause.  He gave grit at an important position. 

Best Junk Yard Dog

F Decorian Payton (Center Hill– 2020)

Payton was a monster on the glass, both offensive and defensive.  He is a problem that Jupiter could not solve.

"His recruitment hasn't spiked at all," said esteemed writer Courtney Asher Smith.  "That is because he is mainly an undersized big man.  Coach Newton Mealor said next year he is going to use him more on the wing."

Best Role Player

PG Isaiah Cathey (Memphis East – 2020)    He is a top 50 prospect.

Fast. Quick.  Cathey defended well, keeping the game frustrating for Jupiter.