Championship Sunday: Early Morning 16s Standouts

The quarterfinals of the 16s division at the Grind Region Finals was held at Drive Nation after two days at the Advantage Sports Complex (Carrollton). There were good performances on all sides as we the games rangedfrom close endings to blowouts. A few players stood out this morning during these quarterfinals games and we will take a look at them here. [player_tooltip player_id="1211257" first="Zach" last="Hays"] (6’3" / SG / Rogue 2023) Hays had his way with the ATR Colorado defense for long stretches during their game with them this morning. He took what the defense gave him and displayed his scoring variety with it. Hays would make a three on one possession. The next possession or two, he would rebound the ball and use a series of upfakes to score. Hays showed off the dribble ability and attacked from the baseline on different occassions as well. He was a terror for the opposition this morning and proved he is one of the more versatile scorers playing on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Tucker Anderson (6’6" / F / AAO Flight 2023 Collins) Anderson is another versatile scorer who helped to put his team in position to win. He had a distinct height advantage against most Team FOE OKC players guarding him and he took full advantage. Anderson would post the smaller guards and is good at gaining position to receive the ball and score. He has a three point stroke that is effortless as well. When he steps outside, they could not contest his shot. His three ball is one of the prettiest I have seen this summer. Anderson can score with the best of them. [player_tooltip player_id="1125965" first="Landon" last="Brown"] (5’9" / CG / Tarrant Elite 2023) Brown and his Tarrant Elite teammates were on the wrong end of a blowout. However, his effort was one of a player who does not quit. Brown, a North Crowley product, is very good at driving downhill to the rim and placing himself in position to either pass or shoot. He takes contact in the paint and does not mind rebounding against the trees either. His effort might have gotten lost in the result. However, Brown is a player who can play for me, and a lot of other coaches, on any day. [player_tooltip player_id="972414" first="David" last="Hageman"] (6’3" / CG / ATR Colorado Elite 2023) Hageman was a silent assassin for the ATR team. However, his 20-plus points were needed in their win over Rogue 2023. Hageman hit several timely threes during the contest including the game-tying one at 53 all. He facilitates, moves without the ball, and plays defense at a high level. This morning he took on two of Rogue’s better shooters and kept them out of rhythm. He is a Swiss Army knife when it comes to what he does on the floor and was a significant reason why ATR advanced to the semifinals. The semifinals begin around the Sunday lunch hour and should be some of the better games no matter the age division on Championship Sunday at Drive Nation. The Grind Region Finals semis more than likely will not disappoint.

The quarterfinals of the 16s division at the Grind Region Finals was held at Drive Nation after two days at the Advantage Sports Complex (Carrollton). There were good performances on all sides as we the games rangedfrom close endings to blowouts. A few players stood out this morning during these quarterfinals games and we will take a look at them here.

Zach Hays (6’3" / SG / Rogue 2023)

Hays had his way with the ATR Colorado defense for long stretches during their game with them this morning. He took what the defense gave him and displayed his scoring variety with it. Hays would make a three on one possession. The next possession or two, he would rebound the ball and use a series of upfakes to score. Hays showed off the dribble ability and attacked from the baseline on different occassions as well. He was a terror for the opposition this morning and proved he is one of the more versatile scorers playing on the Prep Hoops Circuit.

Tucker Anderson (6’6" / F / AAO Flight 2023 Collins)

Anderson is another versatile scorer who helped to put his team in position to win. He had a distinct height advantage against most Team FOE OKC players guarding him and he took full advantage. Anderson would post the smaller guards and is good at gaining position to receive the ball and score. He has a three point stroke that is effortless as well. When he steps outside, they could not contest his shot. His three ball is one of the prettiest I have seen this summer. Anderson can score with the best of them.

Landon Brown Landon Brown 6'2" | SG Lewisville | 2024 TX (5’9" / CG / Tarrant Elite 2023)

Brown and his Tarrant Elite teammates were on the wrong end of a blowout. However, his effort was one of a player who does not quit. Brown, a North Crowley product, is very good at driving downhill to the rim and placing himself in position to either pass or shoot. He takes contact in the paint and does not mind rebounding against the trees either. His effort might have gotten lost in the result. However, Brown is a player who can play for me, and a lot of other coaches, on any day.

David Hageman David Hageman 6'3" | PG Windsor | 2023 State CO (6’3" / CG / ATR Colorado Elite 2023)

Hageman was a silent assassin for the ATR team. However, his 20-plus points were needed in their win over Rogue 2023. Hageman hit several timely threes during the contest including the game-tying one at 53 all. He facilitates, moves without the ball, and plays defense at a high level. This morning he took on two of Rogue’s better shooters and kept them out of rhythm. He is a Swiss Army knife when it comes to what he does on the floor and was a significant reason why ATR advanced to the semifinals.

The semifinals begin around the Sunday lunch hour and should be some of the better games no matter the age division on Championship Sunday at Drive Nation. The Grind Region Finals semis more than likely will not disappoint.