Grind Finals: Opening Night Top Performers (17U)
Grind Finals: Opening Night Top Performers (17U) WICHITA, Kan. — The opening day of the Grind Region Finals opened on Friday with several standout performances in the 17U division at the Wichita Hoops Athletic Facility in Wichita. Here, Prep Hoops…
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Continue ReadingGrind Finals: Opening Night Top Performers (17U)
WICHITA, Kan. — The opening day of the Grind Region Finals opened on Friday with several standout performances in the 17U division at the Wichita Hoops Athletic Facility in Wichita.
Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several players outside of Kansas who stood out in Friday’s opening round games of the 17U division.
35-Daniel Abreu, G/F, 2019, Willard, Missouri Flight
Abreu’s first bucket of the first game was a two-handed jam off an alley-op from fellow teammate Dontae Taylor. His next play was also a highlight, blocking a potential two handed jam on the opposite end. Abreau brings a high level of leadership and a competitive edge to the floor. He is unselfish with the ball and shoots a high percentage shot inside and out.
12 — Chase Hettinger, 6’4, G, 2019, Castleview (Colo.), Boykins Basketball Academy. @ChaseHettinger
One of the state’s top ranked players in Colorado’s 2019 class, Hettinger was on fire throughout the opening half of Friday’s first-round game against NLHA Silmon, knocking down 3-pointers, throwing down dunks and scoring from all over the court as he went for 28 points in the first half along en route to a big win. The highlight was a breakaway slam while being fouled over a defender that brought down the house and earned a technical for excessive celebration. A long, rangy wing player, Hettinger is a knock down shooter who moves well without the ball, is excellent in transition and can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. He has committed to play at Otero JC.
4-Maurice Grayer, G, 2019, Willard, Missouri Flight
A smart defensive player with good balance and finishing ability. Grayer showed poise as a combination guard and had several great finishes at the rim on Friday including a board shaking one-handed slam against Arkansas Heat. He looks smart defending the ball on the perimeter and can made opposing teams back up and become scared to make plays inside.
1-Kaleb Hunt, 6’4, G/F, 2020, Newcastle, BTR
Hunt is scoring buckets, hauling in rebounds and defending multiple positions with speed and aggression. He is a physical, strong athlete who showed he can dominate the perimeter game and knock down shots from distance. Hunt weaves in and out during transition and showed he could get to the basket and score off the glass against anyone.
5 — Donte Houston, 6’8, F, 2020, Lakeview Centennial (Tex.) Dallas Showtime. @_dmoney13
The tournament’s No. 1 seeded team, Dallas Showtyme got an opening round battle from in-state foe Kansas Primetime Ballerz, but pulled away in the second half in large part thanks to the play of 6’8 2020 forward Donte Houston. Blessed with terrific size and athleticism, Houston plays much bigger than his listed 6’5 height would suggest and was all over the floor throughout much of Friday’s win. He is an elite shot blocker able to contest shots in the lane and pin them on the glass, can rebound at a high level and is an above-the-rim finisher as he showed with several powerful slams. Houston recently picked up offers from Texas Arlington, East Tennessee State, New Mexico, Missouri State and others.