July Wrap-Up: Team Zona

<p>Team Zona’s 16U and 17U teams were two of the only AZ teams who played in three consecutive weekend tournaments this July. All three tournaments finished with the 17U team finishing in the final four. The 16U team showed that they have a lot of potential as well.  This organization is loaded with prospects who will see the opportunity to play at various levels after high school. Below are a three takeaways from a strong summer from the Team Zona club organization.</p> <h3>1. Length</h3> <p>While <strong>Adam Hamilton</strong> was the only prospect over 6’6 in the organization, the team had a lot of prospects who were similar sizes and can play multiple positions. On the 17U team, <strong>Fidelis Okereke </strong>made up for his lack of size with brute force and skill. Despite being an undersized center at 6’6, his high level of play earned him a scholarship at Cal State Dominguez Hills.</p> <p>In addition to Hamilton and Okereke, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="706713" first="Paul" last="Hayden"]</strong>, a 6’5 SF out of Sunnyslope, made a lot of noise this summer and impressed quite a few potential suitors. The group also had two other west valley prospects who played well throughout July in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="804825" first="David" last="Teibo"]</strong>, Centennial, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="804851" first="Jaden" last="Glass"]</strong>, Agua Fria.</p> <p>As far as the 16U team is concerned, the group was extremely similar to 17U in that only one prospect truly had the potential size to be a center at the next level, <strong>Stanley Madu</strong>. However, the team had a number of wings who played at a high level and showed tremendous versatility. The top performing prospects in this category include: <strong>Steinar Christianson</strong>, <strong>August Hubbard</strong>, and <strong>Kosy Akametu</strong></p> <h3>2. Grit</h3> <p>It wouldn’t be Team Zona if there was not a lot of grit involved. Coach Sal loves to get prospects who have an edge to them and compete at a high level. One of those prospects who stood out this July was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809700" first="Jahon" last="Lethridge"]</strong>, Thunderbird. Lethridge plays with a toughness and confidence to him that is extremely rare.</p> <p>Further, on the 17U team, Hayden and Okereke set the tone in a lot of ways. However, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="703835" first="JJ" last="White"] </strong>was without a doubt the team’s top on ball defender throughout the July period. White constantly guarded the top prospect on the opposing team and did so with a lot of success.</p> <p>Another guy who stood out in the last tournament of the summer in this area was <strong>Marcus Putnam</strong>, Saguaro. He played through a nagging ankle injury and was able to provide some solid minutes for the team in the Las Vegas Classic.</p> <h3>3. Shooters</h3> <p>The 17U group was absolutely loaded with shooters. Any time <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="703810" first="Bailon" last="Black"] </strong>entered the game, the college coaches were eager to see the long range 3s with precise form and accuracy. Further, the shifty <strong>Abdi Odowaay </strong>let his fly off of the dribble at a high level as well.</p> <p>As far as catch and shoot prospects, White and <strong>Greg Butler </strong>put themselves in a category of being elite in this field. Both guys rarely missed if they were given any spot in catch and shoot situations. </p> <p>The 16U team did not look to shoot as many threes as the 17s as they preferred to use their versatility to create inside-out looks. However, Lethridge made his fair share of big time shots from behind the line. </p>