#HardWorkSZNKickoff Notes of the Weekend:

<p><strong>The Biggest Shot</strong></p> <p>While taking in the Mustangs/Illinois Tigers game on Friday, I saw my shot of the weekend very early. Battling back were the Mustangs in 14U, knocking down clutch shots down to the wire. A few seconds left, down by 2,<strong> AJ Lewis/Westside Middle (NE)</strong> got the ball and threw up a prayer from well behind the 3 point line. Banked and in. Mustangs win 54-53 over the Illinois Tigers. I watched hours and hours of basketball after his shot, nothing could top it in any game. Well done AJ.</p> <p><strong>The Sconnies Win First</strong></p> <p>Your 13U Champs at the #HardWorkSZNKickoff tournament is Team 1848, out of the Fox Valley (WI). Throughout the weekend I watched them play well behind the play of <strong>Thomas Meyers-Kimberly MIddle (WI), Easton Arendt-DePere Middle (WI) </strong>and <strong>Carson Pendleton-Kimberly Middle (WI). </strong>The best battle I watched them close out was the Championship game against South Dakota Network where they fought off a team in SD Network that I thought could have been the best team in 13U. The play of Team 1848 proved to be victorious and they were your first champions of the weekend in Council Bluffs.</p> <p><strong>Marcus Shakeer Plays Ball</strong></p> <p>Throughout the weekend there were a lot of 16U players that stood out, but<strong> Marcus Shakeer-Omaha Benson (NE) </strong>was one that stood out the most to me. A powerful 6'4 forward/guard prospect for Team Nebraska Express made some great plays at the bucket with his leaping ability and also showed some great range defensively as well. I think this kid has the power to be one of the better players in Nebraska and on the grassroots circuit as the summer continues.</p> <p><strong>17U Impressions</strong></p> <p>My three players that stood out in 17U were: <strong>Curtis Jones-Cretin-Derham-Hall(MN)/Mentality MN, Thomas Gebhardt-Mounds View HS(MN)/MN Heat, </strong>and <strong>Atron Bevly-Southeast (IL)/IL Tigers. </strong>Jones brings a scrappiness type of play to his game. Not afraid to drive the hoop, or hit the long three in traffic. He showed on multiple occasions in this tournament why he is a player to watch in this 2020 class out of Minnesota. Another player that hails out that same conference is Thomas Gebhardt who was clutch from beyond the arch in this tournament for the Heat. Bevly is a player that I witnessed bring a lot of mojo to his game. At 5'10 he is not the biggest guard in the world but has a motor and a fearless game that can be tough to handle on defense.</p>