Battle at the Lakes: Pool B Storyboard
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Pool B was highlighted by Mass Rivals 3SSB playing at a very high level. We talk about that program and more in the Pool B Storyboard.
Mass Rivals Dominates
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 [player_tooltip player_id="1205486" first="Jordan" last="Clayton"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="1204847" first="George" last="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 [player_tooltip player_id="1205491" first="Jayden" last="Ndjigue"] 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
[player_tooltip player_id="962206" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="1201757" first="Spencer" last="Hall"]. 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. [player_tooltip player_id="1201757" first="Spencer" last="Hall"] 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). [player_tooltip player_id="962208" first="Jace" last="Hernandez"] looks to be getting better and he also looks like a tall Vincent Chase so he has that going for him as well. And [player_tooltip player_id="962233" first="Matthew" last="Bothun"], 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.
Pool B All Session Team (one player per win)
[player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"] of Iowa Barnstormers
[player_tooltip player_id="962233" first="Matthew" last="Bothun"] of Minnesota Fury
[player_tooltip player_id="1205486" first="Jordan" last="Clayton"] of Mass Rivals
[player_tooltip player_id="1081871" first="Bryce" last="Dortch"] of Mass Rivals
[player_tooltip player_id="1201757" first="Spencer" last="Hall"] of Minnesota Fury
[player_tooltip player_id="962206" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"] of Minnesota Fury
[player_tooltip player_id="1204847" first="George" last="Turkson"] of Mass Rivals
[player_tooltip player_id="1205491" first="Jayden" last="Ndjigue"] of Mass Rivals
