Big Shots / Team Final Tournament Preview

[caption id="attachment_1208063" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Edwards-Justin-crop-3226x2118-1622819996.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1208063 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Edwards-Justin-crop-3226x2118-1622819996-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] (C/O 2023) of [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL.[/caption] <p style="text-align: left;">This weekend a significant number of the top grassroots teams from southeastern Pennsylvania will travel to Oaks, Pennsylvania to participate in the Big Shots / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] tournament. One of the better spring grassroots events in the Philly area, the Big Shots / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] boasts an extremely competitive field of regional teams.</p> <p>Below is a glance at the SEPA grassroots squads participating in this event as well the how the bracket could play out for each of the teams.  </p> <p><strong><u>17U (2022)</u></strong><strong>:</strong></p> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL 2023: </strong>A deep and talented roster led by [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"], a 6'7” wing player who was a 1^st Team 5A All-State selection and elite lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="991339" first="Rahmir" last="Barno"] (3rd Team 5A All-State) will be <strong>“</strong>playing up”  this weekend in the 17U division. In the opening round, [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] takes on Pro Youth Basketball (PA). Once they advance to the 2^nd round, they get either Chris Ward Basketball (NY) or Philly Revolution.</p> <p><strong>Philly Revolution</strong>: Speaking of Philly Revolution…In the 1^st round, they will take on Chris Ward Basketball (NY). If elite shooter Ernest Shelton (2023 prospect), LaSalle CHS guard Chris Williams, three &amp; D prospect Jalen Flowers and 6'7” forward Allen Myers can secure a victory in that opening contest, the reward will be a match-up with [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL 2023.</p> <p><strong>Philly Heat: </strong> With Bernie Parent running point, Luc Baratta scoring the ball and 6'7” forward [player_tooltip player_id="1122123" first="Michael" last="Farley"] controlling the paint, look for the Philly Heat to make a nice run at the Big Shots / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] tourney. The Heat will face Made Different Elite in Round 1. Their 2^nd Round game will be against either Reach1 Teach1-Red (PA) or SK Elite (NY).  </p> <p><strong><u>16U (2023)</u></strong><strong>:</strong></p> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL 2024: </strong>The No. 1 team in our SEPA 15U rankings is white hot (13-2 in their last 15 games) and thus they will <strong>“</strong>play up” at this event. For openers, [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"], [player_tooltip player_id="1173991" first="Jaden" last="Murray"], [player_tooltip player_id="1123886" first="Amir" last="Williams"] and company will take on DBA Elite-Burch (CT). After the opening round, they face whichever team survives the Jaguars Basketball (PA) against Pink's Vision contest. Even “playing up” an age division, we expect this group to make a deep run this weekend.</p> [caption id="attachment_1208071" align="alignleft" width="211"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Jackson-Hicke-2023-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1208071 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Jackson-Hicke-2023-2-211x300.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"] (C/O 2023) of SJ Hoops Elite-Grey.[/caption] <p><strong>SJ Hoops Elite-Grey</strong>: After a solid showing at the Southern Jam Fest (VA), this squad featuring suburban Philadelphia prospects took Memorial Day weekend off. Now high level SEPA prospects like wing [player_tooltip player_id="1116055" first="Lucas" last="Orchard"], shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"], forward [player_tooltip player_id="1178095" first="Jacen" last="Holloway"] and combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1185982" first="Max" last="Koehler"] will lead this roster into the Big Shots / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] event. In the 1^st Round they play Total Skills (PA). If they win, then SJHEG would advance to play the winner of the Next Play Basketball (PA) vs. Philly Revolution game.</p> <p><strong>Philly Revolution: </strong>Lefty slasher style guard [player_tooltip player_id="1202211" first="Michael" last="“Zaire” Paris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1186010" first="Baasil" last="Saunders"], an athletic wing who plays above the rim, will look to push the Revolution past Next Play Basketball (PA) in their opening round game. They would then get the winner of SJ Hoops Elite-Grey (PA) vs. Total Skills (PA).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>15U (2024)</u></strong><strong>: </strong></p> <p><strong>Philly Pride Select</strong>: The Abington Friends dynamic duo of elite combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1136566" first="Kaydin" last="Ford"] and interior force Nate Osbourne highlight a stacked roster that also features extraordinary perimeter shooter Gyasi Miller (Shipley School) and floor general Brendan Styer (Conestoga). During Saturday's 1^st round action Philly Pride Select will face a very talented opponent in Strong Mature Minds (NJ). If they win that one, then [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Black (NJ) or LBA Attack Sigma (VA) awaits.</p> [caption id="attachment_1190275" align="alignleft" width="194"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Jahlil-Bethea-2024.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1190275" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Jahlil-Bethea-2024-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="194" height="258" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] (C/O 2024) of Philly Revolution.[/caption] <p><strong>Philly Revolution: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] (17.5 ppg. at the Big Shots / Philly Pride tourney), [player_tooltip player_id="1181867" first="Josh" last="Reed"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1191281" first="Joe" last="Shields"] have pushed the Revolution up to the No. 5 spot in our 15U rankings. They will look to keep things rolling this weekend in their opener vs Cecil Kirk Team Puma (MD). Win that one and it's on to a 2^nd Round contest with either Philly Pride 302 Elite (DE) or WeR1 UAA (DE).</p> <p><strong>PA Royals:</strong> A couple weeks back this roster won the 15U division of the 76ers Junior Challenge (DE). Now elite combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1130829" first="Kirby" last="Mooney"] as well as high level shot make Bowen Gugger and their teammates will lace ‘em up for the Big Shots / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] event. The Royals will tip off with Role Model (DE) and then potentially have a 2^nd round match-up with either Pro Youth Basketball (PA) or ESF-Wilson (PA).</p> <p><strong>WeR1 UAA: </strong>Technically WeR1 is a grassroots program based out of Delaware, but since this roster is chockfull of prospects from Pennsylvania high schools, we are going to include them in this event preview. Headlining this roster is [player_tooltip player_id="1116062" first="Elijah" last="Duval"], a prospect we have previously described as “Russell Westbrook with a jump shot”. Duval's aggressive and explosive style of play will be tested against Philly Pride 302 Elite (DE) in the opening round. Round 2 could potentially bring a game against Cecil Kirk Team Puma (MD) or local foes Philly Revolution.</p>