Hard Work Region – 17U Power Teams

Some of the best teams in the Midwest took the court in Council Bluffs last weekend and today we tell you why this group of five from the Hardwork Region should command your respect!

South Dakota Attack. The Attack went a perfect 5-0 on the weekend beating three of the teams that are included in this article. The Attack have the right combination for success at the 17U level highlighted by a star (Matthew Mors), a stock raiser who will have a load of D1/D2s watching close (Kobe Busch), two supporting frontcourt players that took pressure off Mors and Busch (Akoi Akoi and Alex Van Kalsbeek), and guards that distribute and make shots (Josh Arlt, Jack Cartwright, and Kayden Verley). Plus most of this team has played in several events together over the years with a good coach (Lee Taylor).

Team Factory Gold. The edge that Team Factory had on most teams was up front. Six-foot-10 big Javier Turner has committed to Wyoming since the event, 6-foot-9/6-foot-10 big Max Murrell has been talked about constantly since last Friday because of his lefty touch and agility, and 6-foot-7 John Shanklin’s work ethic and strength providing defensive and deep post completions brought it all together (If you haven’t seen the Murrell game winning block suggest you take a long on the TJ Rushing twitter feed). Add in Jared Mattley distributing, Carl Brown’s wing scoring, and Louis Fidler scoring on the wing and Team Factory had the right combination to take out RWA in the semis and play to the buzzer in the title game.

RWA. When it comes to developing players and prospects RWA has caught our eye. The Davis Walker and Elijah Jones 1-2 scoring punch gave several teams at the Hardwork opener consistent trouble. Jones made his mark defensively and it has people talking. Great length to distract, excellent feet to get to position, and the work ethic to defend consistently, Jones has a chance to make a big leap once again this weekend in Madison. Walker scored next to Jones using a high percentage perimeter touch and the basket attack to complete through contesting size. Add in what RWA has up front and they are threat to compete for a championship against this weekend.

Minnesota Fury Zurn. Fury Zurn has earned themselves a 6-2 record so far this year with nice quarterfinal victories over Omaha Elite and Comets DLR, but semi-final event losses in good games to South Dakota Attack and Wisconsin Swing. Nathan Heise has emerged as an early season MVP, Brady Williams continues to be a consistent defender/offensive decision maker, and John Henry is hitting threes and grabbing boards. Charles Katona had his best game of the season against the Attack scoring 25 and Jacob Hutson is a low post threat. Both Katona and Hutson have big potential and when all of these players (Cameron Steele as well) find a grove together those semi-final finishes will be title game appearances.

H.I.T. High Intensity Training may have dropped a game in the quarters to the South Dakota Attack but they bounced back with a smashing of Omaha Elite Saturday night. Marcus Skeete showed off not just his agile attack but a perimeter stroke as well leading to a big number weekend. Add in the Sam Schultz massive rebounding numbers and a frame that is tough to stop from finishing and he gives HIT an excellent inside/out pair with Skeete.