Yellow Jackets Fall Ball Classic Takeaways

PH spent the weekend of September 25-26 in Sacramento CA. The Yellow Jacket Fall Ball Classic, featuring teams from NorCal, although most were right at home in Sacramento, and surrounding areas. There was a lot of local talent on display, and plenty of intensity in the gym when we got into the Platinum Division single elimination brackets on Sunday afternoon at Capitol Christian HS. Here’s our takeaways from the event. The Big Dawgs (AKA) Sheldon won four games on Sunday grinding their way to the title by fighting off a fierce challenge in the last two games. A buzzer beater in the semifinal game by [player_tooltip player_id="1254880" first="Devon" last="Hayes"] who knocked down the game winner with no time left on the clock for a 59-57 win over Pacer Basketball Academy (Grant). The final game was a battle of attrition with both teams showing fatigue after playing 3 games just to get to the finals where, The Dawgs held off a game, The Grove team with [player_tooltip player_id="766857" first="Ameere" last="Britton"](Elk Grove) 53-50. The Dawgs had a team effort with 5’10 PG Tyrece Daniels looking more confident every game we see him play, and the newly added Dawg, [player_tooltip player_id="766873" first="Marcellus" last="Franklin"] 6’6 who gives them legitimate post area production and more. [player_tooltip player_id="1254870" first="Rashaud" last="Bradley"] was productive, handling the ball up top, and on the wings more than usual showing he can pass, and look for his jumper. Meanwhile Donovan Morgan provided steady rebounding, and defense. He played physical around the basket, and used a nice mid-range jumper that goes in.   The Grove (AKA) Elk Grove is not a team to take lightly, They have one of the top players in NorCal 6’2 unsigned Guard [player_tooltip player_id="766857" first="Ameere" last="Britton"] who sets himself apart at this level when you watch him play. No lead is safe as the Big Dawgs and others found out. Britton put The Grove on his back and carried them through tough stretches at this event which included 4 games including the title game against the The Big Dawgs. Ameere is obviously the top player on this team, but seeing 5’9 sharp shooter Karlos Zepeda for the first time, and 6’9 Center [player_tooltip player_id="947835" first="Dajon" last="Lott"], The Grove will be in the hunt throughout. In the semifinal Zepeda was a knockdown shooter that helped seal the deal going 5/5 on his first five 3-point attempts finishing somewhere like 6/8. Then there’s the Lott factor at 6’9 he can be a game changer, but has to lock in and decide he wants to dominate a game at this level.   Pacer Basketball Academy (AKA) Grant. This group played as well as any team we saw at this event. They looked like a contending team that can do some damage if they play together. They have experienced ball handlers in 5’9 [player_tooltip player_id="766854" first="Jason" last="Mathews"] who’s made good improvement as a facilitator. He was a tenacious on ball defender throughout, then there’s the versatile Rishod Brown the wiry 6’4 combo showed he could repeatedly get a bucket throughout this event. The Pacers got good production from 2023, 6’8 [player_tooltip player_id="950894" first="Jordan" last="Bobo"] who’ll continue to rise if he plays this way on a consistent basis. He was aggressive in the paint, and showed some dominance at times. The Pacers got good post play out big body 6’7 Joshua Tignor and newcomers we hadn’t seen before. The lightning quick Soph Darnell Hunter, and the athletic Derrick Hogue-Smith. They could have been in the title game but lost at the buzzer to the Big Dawgs. The Ranch (AKA) Weston Ranch. This team may have surprised a few folks with their play at this event. For a team that didn’t have a player taller than 6’2. They used a trapping defense and got the ball up the court in a hurry when the opportunity presented itself. They were led by a player we hadn’t seen before. Kristian Holmes a 5’10 guard who plays on go, he’s a thick playmaker with good handles and decision making out on the court, he can finish with either hand. Then of course we have the twins, Elliot and Elijah Mobley 6’0 Guards. This duo along with Holmes makes them a guard oriented team that forces turnovers, scraps for loose balls and rebounds. One loves to attack from different angles going to the basket, the other is a scrappier defender with quick hands to generate steals, and turnovers, and help on the boards. The Red Raiders (AKA) Jesuit. This is a fun team to watch, plus they had a few players missing from this event. They served notice they’ll compete against the best in the Sacramento Area. They have two quality players in [player_tooltip player_id="1116236" first="Jayden" last="Teat"] a 6’2 combo guard who showed his skills at both guard positions especially as a scoring guard who can get his shot with his speed and handles, and ability to knock down 3-pointers. Then there’s [player_tooltip player_id="1232327" first="Andrej" last="Stojakovic"] the 6’6 player who we’ll put in the position-less category because he can handle as well as a guard, shoot well from 3 like a shooter, and finish up top with his length going toward the rim. He’s young but understands how to play the game. He uses his body to protect the ball well. He sees the court and is an excellent passer.