Hard Work Region Finals: Grant’s Friday Game Recaps
Friday’s action marked the start of one last tournament for the 2019 AAU season. One last time for prospects to don their AAU jerseys before replacing them with a school uniform. One last time for players to cheer for teammates who will become foes in the fall. One last time for teams to try to leave with some hardware. With a tournament layout that mimics March Madness, each team in each age group entered Friday with the hope that they could make a run to the championship. Here are some recaps from Friday’s best games:
ABC Young Lions get past Iowa Mavs
In their first game of the Hard Work Region Finals, the ABC Young Lions’ great season on the Prep Hoops Circuit was almost spoiled by the Iowa Mavs. The Young Lions were in the driver’s seat for most of the contest, as they led 41-31 at halftime. The second half, however, was a different story. The Iowa Mavs gained the momentum after Mehki Jacobs converted on an old fashioned three-point play. Despite trailing for most of the game, with 5:40 left to play, the Mavs took a 50-47 lead. At that point, all the energy belonged to the purple squad. Every player on the Mavs’ bench was on their feet, while the few Young Lions who sat the bench looked defeated. After giving up the lead, they didn’t hang their heads for too long. Jayden Jackson hit the biggest shot of the game for his squad. Jackson found the bottom of the net on a corner three that would put ABC in front for good. After that, the Young Lions caused turnovers that created open floor opportunities for Brock Heffner. Heffner scored seven straight points, including a late and-1 that ended the Iowa Mavs’ upset hopes.
Top Prospects: Brock Heffner, John Lovelace, and Jay Hinson
Tyrese England powers WI United to win
The Ilinois T Wolves played hard, but WI United was too talented. Tyrese England and Javeon Toliver were able to lead United past the T Wolves, 65-45. England scored 24 in the win and Toliver added 15 points. In the victory, England proved that he can score from anywhere on the court. The guard made four threes and had five two-point buckets. While Tyrese was busy filling it up, Toliver displayed his great feel for the game. The 6’0″ guard is a phenomenal passer and ball handler. Toliver is a shifty guard with smooth handles who can create for teammates on offense. The T Wolves were unable to put a defender in front of Toliver that could match his offensive acumen. If Wisconsin United is to make a run in this tournament, they will be riding the coattails of their star guards.
Top Prospects: Tyrese England and Javeon Toliver.
Team Iowa upsets MBA
In one of the biggest surprises of the day, Team Iowa beat MBA. MBA got off to a slow start in this game and could never seem to recover. Team Iowa caught fire from the field and never looked back. Will Henricksen initiated a lot of the offense for his squad. Henricksen led his team in scoring with 21 points on seven made field goals. The 5’10” point guard scored at all three levels. Quincy Underwood also had an impressive game for Team Iowa. Underwood– who stands at just 6’1″– had magnetic hands on the glass; Underwood yanked down plenty rebounds in TI’s win. The 6’1″ guard rebounded, blocked shots, and scored 17 points for his team in the upset victory.
For MBA, it was Menalito Mcgee who stirred the drink. The 5’7″ point guard displayed great toughness and scoring ability. Mcgee dropped 24 points in the loss.
Top Prospects: Will Henricksen, Quincy Underwood, Menalito Mcgee, and Drew Weber.
Peoria Area Elite takes care of Full Package
In the biggest blowout of the day, Peoria Area Elite proved why they were the top-ranked 17U team heading into the weekend. Led by a well-balanced scoring attack, PAE mercy-ruled Full Package, 59-39. Emaryon Byrd dropped 11 total points, Julian Samuels scored nine and Rolondo Brown added seven in the bout. Because of their depth, Peoria Area Elite is a team that other programs should fear. If one prospect struggles, another will fill his shoes.
Top prospects: Emaryon Byrd, Julian Samuels, Rolondo Brown, and Chris Williams.
Wisconsin Academy gets past Minnesota Magic
Jackson Noll struggled in this game. Noll was playing hard and doing everything right, but his shots refused to fall, as they bounced off the rim in every way possible. The 6’0″ guard finished with just five total points. Luckily for Noll, his Wisconsin Academy teammates were able to pick up the slack. Josh Krause had a monster game, scoring 21 points in the winning effort. Kruse is not the flashiest player, but he played hard and made few mental mistakes. Another standout was Matt Kissner. Doing most of his work inside the arc, Kisser scored 17 points for WA. Because of Noll’s struggles on offense, it was of paramount importance that Krause and Kissner stepped up.
Top Prospects: Josh Krause, Matt Kissner, Chris Akelaitas, and Isaiah Hammond