ECI Spring Preview: Top 16U Guards
ECI Hosted its annual tournament last weekend in Moorhead and the competition was fierce throughout Saturday and Sunday. Play culminated with ECI teams taking the championships at the 16U and 17U levels. Here are some of the top guards from…
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Continue ReadingECI Hosted its annual tournament last weekend in Moorhead and the competition was fierce throughout Saturday and Sunday. Play culminated with ECI teams taking the championships at the 16U and 17U levels.
Here are some of the top guards from the 16U level:
Brooks Carroll, ND Attack Green 16U
Carroll was one of the best guards in the tournament, helping ND Attack Green reach the championship game. Carroll looks like a guy ready to contribute in a big way at the varsity level and with the minutes available next winter at Jamestown, expect him to fill a sizable role. He’s got good size and strength, a beautiful shooting stroke from deep and the athleticism to get to and finish at the rim.
Jase Crockett, ECI Selects 16U
Crockett was a catalyst for the ECI Selects, playing awesome on and off ball defense and pushing the tempo. Crockett’s strength is a big advantage for him as he’s able to muscle defenders out of the way on drives and his finishing ability in a plus despite lacking great height. His hustle was infectious too.
Deonte Martinez, ND Attack Black 17U
Martinez plays up with ND Attack Black and he doesn’t look out of place. He’s not tall but he’s thick and quick. The Minot point guard has a really nice feel for the game and does a great job breaking down first row defenders and making plays for shooters, rim runners or taking it upon himself to finish in traffic.
Caleb Dunfield, ND Attack Blue 16U
Dunfield is one of the best shooters in North Dakota and he showed off that skill over the weekend. He’s a little undersized and not the quickest guy but he does a good job finding space from defenders using screens or by simply understanding spacing concepts. He doesn’t need much room to get his shot off either.
Shea Carroll, ND Attack Green 16U
Carroll was a sparkplug for ND Attack Green, constantly pushing the tempo and creating easy scoring opportunities for his teammates. He’s only 5-foot-8 but he’s really smooth and does a great job handling pressure. He’s smart with the ball and hits his teammates in spots where they can do damage. Carroll’s 3-point shot is a plus as well.
Jacob Hilgemann, ECI Prospects 16U
Hilgemann was really good for ECI Prospects, helping lead the team to a tournament championship. His aggressiveness getting to the rim was something very few teams had the athletes to deal with all weekend and his size and strength allows him to play through contact and finish. Hilgemann does most of his damage in the flow of the offense too, utilizing cuts and screens or attacking closeouts and rotating defenses.
Alijah Armstrong, Inspired Athletics 16U
Armstrong is the primary ball handler for Inspired Athletics and while he doesn’t have great size, he’s a blurr with the ball and has the ability to finish with a variety of runners, floaters, pull ups and through contact. He’s a little out of place without the ball in his hands but when he’s running the show, he can score and make his teammates better.