Summer Challenge: Wilk’s Top 1-2 Punches (16U)

<p>Jordan and Scottie, Kobe and Shaq, Steph and Klay.  Nearly all of the most memorable dynasties in basketball history feature a 1-2 punch that, surrounded by a strong supporting class, can take over games and lead their team to victory.  Here, we highlight several of these dynamic duos that helped carry their teams to a successful weekend at the Summer Challenge in Chicago last weekend:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920943" first="James" last="Dent"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="1152903" first="Amar" last="Augillard"] - All In Athletics</strong></em></p> <p>This tandem stood a notch above the rest for most of the weekend.  Dent, a prolific perimeter shooter, and Augillard, a do-it-all combo forward, complement each other quite well and led A.I.A all the way to the semifinals before falling in a tight game to a deep and talented Wisconsin Playground Club.  Dent is a threat to pull-up and knock down a jumper from just about anywhere inside half-court.  Opposing defenses could ill-afford to spread out and give him too much attention, because Augillard would slash his way to a finish at the rim.  They are both must-finds in transition and when they are both locked in good luck slowing them down.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920947" first="Kimahri" last="Wilson"] &amp; Darrell Reed - Young and Reckless</strong></em></p> <p>Kimahri is one of the top point guards in the Illinois 2021 class.  He has elite quickness and was one of the most dynamic ball handlers in the event last weekend.  The shifty guard can slice and dice his way through defenses and get into the lane where he makes his money.  He has a nice pull-up jumper, finishes with craft at the cup, and is an excellent passer.  Reed was the beneficiary of several of those dimes and found himself positioned to receive and finish quite often.  Both are lethal in transition and frequently appeared to be a step ahead of the competition both literally and due to their chemistry on the floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765176" first="Quani" last="Rudd"] &amp; Shaun Riley - SW IL Jets</strong></em></p> <p>In terms of shear size and athleticism, this pair was one of the most imposing in the field at the Summer Challenge.  What makes them special is their versatility particularly on the defensive end.  Either Rudd or Riley could be used at the top of the Jets full-court pressure defense or in the back as a rim protector.  Offensively, both were active in transition and effective inside the arc.  When the Jets needed a bucket, more often than not, the ball found the hands of one of them and they converted.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921004" first="Terrance" last="Moncrief"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="821734" first="Jaiden" last="Lee"] - Illinois TWolves</strong></em></p> <p>Terrance and Jaiden are two key cogs for an impressive Illinois TWolves back-court that had a nice showing at the Summer Challenge.  Jaiden plays with some swag offensively and his combination of a smooth jumper and quickness off the bounce make him a tough assignment.  Add in Terrance, who is starting to burst onto the scene as a top-notch point guard in the state.  He has excellent vision and awareness as a passer and is getting more and more comfortable shooting from beyond the arc.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Carter Mims &amp; AJ Braun - Team Flyght</strong></em></p> <p>The 16U champions, Team Flyght had a number of players step up in big moments.  However, Carter and AJ were probably the two most consistent for the entire weekend.  Despite standing only 5’7, Carter was electric on both ends of the floor.  He is ultra quick with a motor that never stops.  A pesky and opportunistic defender, when he creates turnovers or receives an outlet to get out in transition he is nearly impossible to keep in front.  When he got into the lane, good things happened for Team Flyght.  AJ is the perfect partner.  His ability to dominate on the block and fill it up from beyond the arc is invaluable.  Put the two in a pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop situation and it is truly pick your poison.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Brayden Dailey &amp; Cade Meyer - Wisconsin Playground Club</strong></em></p> <p>It was difficult to narrow such a deep team down to two, but in the end I had to go with Brayden and Cade.  Brayden is such an elite scorer in every way.  He is crafty off the bounce and at his size can finish at the rim through contact.  His jumper is automatic and he needs virtually no space to get it off. Add in the versatile po-go-stick forward Cade Meyer who can stroke it from deep or rise up and hammer it over a defender and you have a tandem that can take over any game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Others of note</strong></span>:</p> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="916752" first="Jamari" last="McClendon"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="1049598" first="Brandon" last="Bryant"] - Illinois Jaguars</li> <li>Corey Camper &amp; Ousley - All Arkansas Red</li> <li>Kole Johnson &amp; Michael Dulin - TNT 5</li> <li>Aaron Tennies &amp; Brennan Timm - Wisconsin Rap</li> <li>Jeremiah Burke &amp; Kameron Wood - Wisconsin United</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="920951" first="Odin" last="Lium"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="920949" first="Brian" last="Mathews"] - H.I.T</li> </ul>