Friday’s Top Games, Prospects from IBA
The Friday slate at Illinois Basketball Academy fraternized top teams and prospects under one roof. During the four hours of action, which players — or duos — stood out? What games were the most memorable?
Top Game – Team Flyght Ohio 15U defeats Full Package 15U, 51-31:
The first Prep Hoops Circuit game since May paired two elite 15U teams and Marial Puou, maybe the best 15-year-old I’ve watched on the circuit.
But today it was Puou — who would finish the game drawing nine fouls, disregarding the inexplicable amount of uncalled arm-swipings — that would have to play a foreign role: point guard on a team that would face a roster laden with under-six-foot, scrappy, defensive-minded guards. That built intrigue, even before the tip.
Puou began the afternoon matchup dominant on both ends, finding the lane on offense while keeping others out of it on defense. But turnovers by the entire Full Package team would chop away at momentum, and the full-court zone run (to perfection) by Team Flight would play right into their desired pacing. Reico Colter, the scrappiest of Team Flight’s backcourt, played a crucial role in Flight’s zone, inviting Full Package into suffocating double-teams. Guard Mekhi Elmore provided a lethal scoring compliment to Colter’s defensive antics. The lefty let loose in the second half, scoring from all three levels en route to a mercy rule.
(Puou finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks, reinforcing his reputation as one of the more coveted prospects already on the Prep Hoops Circuit.)
Top Duo – Illinois Jaguars Backcourt:
Jamari McClendon and Brandon Bryant were a bellicose duo on both ends of the floor today, as they were the catalyst for an Illinois Jaguars win.
McClendon’s ventures were geared towards the offensive end, as his prowess at the guard position dazzled from the get-go. His passing kept their role pieces thriving on the low block, and his scoring (particularly his driving ability) provided movement and a sense of direction to their half-court offense. McClendon’s running mate, Brandon Bryant, did more of the dirty work. He was a hypervigilant defender, always aware and ready to gamble for steals and loose balls, most of which were successful. In what would be a final turning point in the matchup, Bryant stole the ball on three consecutive possessions, creating easy offense and dictating the Jaguars swift pace.
Standouts:
Jaden Terrell, 2021, RWA – As for today’s most prolific shooter — and RWA’s personal MVP in today’s eked out victory versus North Dakota Phenom — Terrell was an obvious standout. He scored 15 points on four treys, also tallying a few rebounds and steals as RWA established themselves early in today’s game.
Tyrhe Fortney, 2021, Downriver Bad Boyz – The Illinois big man was maybe today’s most dominant true center. At 6-foot-8, he had the height to finish over the top of defenders, but his willingness to use his body as an industrial sweeper made him a tough task defensively. He also put a fadeaway jumper to good use, which he used to score despite crashing defenders.
Mac Parmelee, 2021, Heart of Illinois – The Heart of Illinois guard proved to be a savvy scorer in today’s matchup against Downriver Bad Boyz. He rattled off ten points early in the first half, hitting a few pull-up jumpers and slicing through the lane with an impressive handle.