Las Vegas Olympians excel in 152-team Las Vegas Classic
LAS VEGAS – The 2019 Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Classic saw 152 “17U/11/12th” boys grassroots teams from throughout the country, Puerto Rico and New Zealand compete in southern Nevada. The Las Vegas Olympians saw the most success among Nevada teams,…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLAS VEGAS – The 2019 Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Classic saw 152 “17U/11/12th” boys grassroots teams from throughout the country, Puerto Rico and New Zealand compete in southern Nevada.
The Las Vegas Olympians saw the most success among Nevada teams, going undefeated in pool play, advancing to the “Platinum Bracket.” The Olympians topped Prime AZ in the first round of the single-elimination tournament. In the second round, the young LVO battled the senior-laden Nebraska Bison Red. In an intense match-up, Nebraska took advantage of LVO’s mistakes and ended the Olympians’ run, 80-73 at Clark High School.
Olympians coach Daimar Harris said he wasn’t focused on wins and losses but his team, made up of players from six valley high schools, exceeded all of his expectations. The Olympians finished the Classic with a 4-1 record.
Here’s who stood out for the Las Vegas Olympians on the Classic’s fifth and final day:
Malachi McLaurin, Desert Pines High 2019, 6-foot Guard
Malachi McLaurin, Las Vegas OlympiansThe veteran of the group showed he could drive with ease through traffic and finish at the hoop. Coach Harris called McLaurin “me (the coach) on the floor” as he lead the Olympians, showing off his play-making, soft touch and patience. The aggressive rebounder has active hands on defense and finds the open man. Harris said McLaurin will commit to Grays Harbor community college of Aberdeen, Washington this year.
Jamir Stephens, Desert Pines High 2022, 6-foot Guard
Jamir Stephens, Las Vegas Olympians/Desert Pines 2022Stephens used his quick hands on defense to force turnovers, and to drive and finish at the rim with contact. Coach Harris called Stephens a “fierce competitor” with toughness and a wide range of skills.
Noah Sherrard, Silverado High 2021, 5-foot-9 Guard
Noah Sherrard, Las Vegas Olympians/Silverado 2021Sherrard showed off his range, knocking down threes with ease. Coach Harris called Sherrard a “smart, composed sharp-shooter.”
Robel Negasi, Las Vegas High School 2021, 6-foot-2 Guard
Robel Negasi, Las Vegas Olympians/Las Vegas HS 2021Negasi is an aggressive rebounder on both ends of the floor. Harris said he’s “great teammate” who doesn’t force anything and makes smart plays.
Luis Avila, SECTA 2020, 6-foot-8 Center
Avila used his long arms to his advantage, rejecting shooters on one end of the floor, and hitting threes on the other. Coach Harris called Avila an agile “modern day big man.”
Cimarron Conriquez, Desert Pines 2021, 6-foot-2 Guard
Conriquez isn’t shy from behind the line, hitting five threes vs. the Nebraska Bison. His shooting can keep his team alive, but he’s also an aggressive defender.
Roland Gates, Desert Pines 2020, 6-foot-5 Swingman
Gates seeks contact at the rim and has the ability to finish tough plays. Harris called him the “glue guy” who rebounds and “does whatever we need” on the floor.
Select Basketball Black took home the Platinum Bracket championship in 17U. Team Rogue Las Vegas also reached the Platinum Bracket, falling in the first round vs. Cali Elite and ending the Classic at 3-1. The Nevada Ballers fell in the first round of the Silver Bracket, ending its run with a 1-3 record.