Battle at the Lakes: Pool B Storyboard

Ryan James May 10, 2022 @ 12:11 PM

Mass Rivals is a nationally known program that summer basketball fans are all aware of. This is a program with culture. When the coaches direct their players all eyes are directly on their coaches and orders are carried out. When a player messes up on the floor, they don’t just shrug their shoulders, they play for a program that holds players accountable. And as a result, those players hold themselves accountable.

This weekend Mass Rivals ran into an old friend from Adidas, the Iowa Barnstormers, and they beat them 55-36. Mass Rivals took on one of the best teams in Minnesota - the Minnesota Fury - and the Mass Rivals guards dominated the action with pressure and an aggressive push. PLUTO Prospects has one of the best frontcourts in AAU basketball but the Mass Rivals backcourt made sure that the opposing frontcourt, wasn’t a factor.

The 4-0 record was a pure team effort but the guy that caught my eye every possession both ways was Jordan Clayton Jordan Clayton 6'2" | CG Bradford Christian Academy | 2023 State New E , a 6’2 2023 guard from Bradford Christian Academy. The most noteworthy item from Clayton for me was his back to back defensive efforts that forced bad shots and then a quick turnaround into a buzzer beater at the half versus the Fury. He shot the ball well but even better, Clayton never forced a shot. He got his offense within the rhythm, within the flow, and by doing that he had a constant impact in all four games.

Clayton’s 2024 6’7 Bradford Christian teammate George Turkson is the other player that will stick with me. At 6’7 and active, Turkson’s all out effort switching/helping over scared teammates, his floor run cruising past others for open floor scores or off ball cut buckets was a constant, and his second chance efforts forced opposing coaches to take deep breaths out of frustration. Turkson provided a lot of highlights but what stood out to me was his board efforts outside his area, his hard step over on screens, and his quick sprint up the floor every time.

Finally, the energy and effort that 2023 Jayden Ndjigue Jayden Ndjigue 6'4" | CG Rivers School | 2023 State New E played with was infectious. Jayden is a 6’4 guard from Rivers School that I loved watching compete. He’s a battler. When he had a top Minnesota guard in front of him that was smaller, Jayden just went over the top for a bulling attack. Defensively he was vocal, aggressive, and a constant.

Fury goes 3-1

Max Shikenjanski Max Shikenjanski 6'2" | PG Stillwater | 2023 State #288 Nation MN once again proved to be the clutch player that wins games. His steal and lay-up pushed his team over South Dakota Attack for a 61-59 win. The Fury lost to Mass Rivals by a wide margin but they did get the game within four scores and it was Shikenjanski who battled in every way (attacking for two scores, made a jumper, forced a couple turnovers, etc) to make the comeback attempt.

Then there is Spencer Hall Spencer Hall 6'3" | SF Wayzata | 2023 State MN . At 6’3 sure some coaches want Spencer to be a little taller, but you will likely be staring at a lot of 6’5 guys on your roster that will NEVER play as hard as Spencer, will NEVER play as smart as Spencer, and they will NEVER be as consistent as Spencer. Spencer Hall Spencer Hall 6'3" | SF Wayzata | 2023 State MN makes everybody better and makes the life of a coach easier. Too much over thinking goes on some times.

Also, I like what Ben Healy brings to each game (6’3 Hudson guard). Jace Hernandez Jace Hernandez 6'8" | C Lakeville North | 2023 State MN looks to be getting better and he also looks like a tall Vincent Chase so he has that going for him as well. And Matthew Bothun Matthew Bothun 6'9" | PF St. Francis | 2023 State MN , that’s a modern day stretch big. And there were 13 NSIC schools that looked on watching Bothun as a top player on their wish list.