PrepHoops Circuit Season Review: Full Package

<p>This past season on the PrepHoops Circuit we were able to catch a ton of quality Illinois programs in the Hard Work Region!  Now it is time for our Season Reviews!  Today we speak with <strong>Dmitry Pirshin</strong> of <strong>Full Package</strong> breaking down their top players, accomplishments, and favorite moments from the PrepHoops Circuit!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How did your program perform on the inaugural PrepHoops Circuit this spring and summer?</strong></p> <p>I believe level was always right.  After few first game and ranking I think it helped to play right level team. I would rather lose close game where it goes to the wire than win by a lot. So I think Prep Hoops did really good job with schedule. 14U team was strongest one out of all team in FP, therefore they did the best overall, but I was happy with the progress of the rest of the teams. 16U end up playing well, 17U had 4-1 tournament in St. Louis. So of course all teams could do better but I was happy with improvements, especially from spring to summer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Highlight a few of your programs accomplishments on the PrepHoops Circuit?</strong></p> <p>As I mentioned, 14U had more success than anyone when it came to winning. We were 2nd in Madison, won gold bracket Battle of Lakes, won bracket in St. Louis. Went 4th in Chicago with really short roster, and finished season winning one of the brackets on a crazy game winner, on a way beating sponsored teams such as Wisconsin Playground Club by 30, d1 Minnesota by 20, and so on. There were other teams that won some brackets other than Platinum. Just talent, size, and athleticism wise all teams but 14U were over their head in Platinum bracket after maybe two rounds. Which again, I like the idea to keep playing in a right level where you have a chance depending how you play.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Which PrepHoops Circuit event did you enjoy the most and why?</strong></p> <p>I always love Battle of Lakes. There are sponsored teams and underdogs there. That huge bracket is awesome. Just like NCAA tournament. Few Years ago I remember my 17U sent home D Rose, D1 Minnesota, and end up losing to WER1 in final four who end up winning. So from then on I really liked that tournament. Those high schools with 8 gyms are crazy too, can watch a lot of basketball in one place. But tell you the truth all tournaments and events were great. Schedule, organization, correct level of competition. And what is good, refs were good. And that is tough to do.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Who were the top performers in your program this summer on the PrepHoops Circuit and tell us why?</strong></p> <p>17U was short on players with injuries, so whoever was there battled through. Nick Pavlovic and CJ Nwosu were most consistent through Summer and picked up some interests during summer.</p> <p>16U finally came together and Alphonso Bailey was a big opening for me. He is d1 athlete, just need to polish his game. Jalen Axibal started playing with us last tournament of spring and he turned out to be a really good point guard. Bo Hubbard is a really good shooter. Eddie Martin was a glue guy for us. He looks a little and moves like Jerebko, that is who I compared him to.</p> <p>15U had Mariel Puou another Mooseheart kid, but he cannot play high school in Illinois since his guardian is from Indiana. His brother was a stud and just finished his college career at UNO. Mariel is a most likely D1 player. We are working on his development. He had great summer. One game he scored 13 points in a row to bring our team back.</p> <p>14U is just stacked with good players. Matas Buzelis is going to be special. 6'5 pointguard who started dunking in games this season, creative, really good shooter, can finish, great passer, he remind me of Lamelo Ball. Smooth and just a baller. As I said, Matas is special. We have Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'6 point center, we ran most our half court offense through him, he is like Mark Gosol and Jokic together. Can shoot, pass, great screener, working on his ability to create off the dribble. We have twins who are like pitbulls all over the floor. They can do everything, and their energy is unmatchable. We have to good wings Jake Fiegen and Michal Maloney who has crazy motor, very skilled, and unselfish both are multiple sports players, so when they come we can beat any team, and I mean ANY team in a country.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What players are you excited about for next year’s PrepHoops Circuit squad?</strong></p> <p>I believe all our levels are going to be better next year. 7th grade is coming too, and they are really really good. I think we can build momentum going in. with that 14U team that is going to be 15U, we are working on them to get on UA or Nike circuit, so they may miss some tournaments, but I still would like for them to be on Prep Hoops Circuit too.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What did you enjoy most about participating in the PrepHoops Circuit?</strong></p> <p>I believe I mentioned that, correct schedule, right competition, good refs, brackets that are right level, so there is chance to win. In addition, there are people who write about and are going to games watching so even small people like us can be written up. That is fair. We as a program felt appreciated and wanted.</p>