West Coast Clash Day One Highlights 17U

If there is one thing I learned yesterday, it’s that there are some dogs at this event. A winning attitude has to start with toughness; from mental fortitude to sacrificing body and pride, to the ability to get up one more time than your opponent, these players all showed off the winning mentality. Here are some of the 17U standouts from day one at the Prep Hoops West Coast Clash. [player_tooltip player_id="1270843" first="Grant" last="Kepley"] 6’4 CG | ECBA Baskett 2023 | Sehome HS 2023 Here’s a combo guard who showed hustle, outletting ability, and smooth finishing from either side of the hoop in game one. Game two he showed why he’s a combo guard. Kepley ran more of a point role; facilitating, running the pick and roll to perfection, which set up his own shots later on. He creates space with precise movements, is fluid, and makes winning plays. [player_tooltip player_id="929029" first="Jordan" last="Clark"] 6’2 PG | ECBA Baskett 2023 | Seattle Christian HS 2023 In the first game of the day, Clark was going toe to toe with Roots Academy’s [player_tooltip player_id="1217797" first="Parker" last="Gerrits"]. He proved to be a patient attacker, whose IQ and knack for getting to the hoop was on full display. He was excellent setting up the drive and dish, and puts the defense in panic mode when he gets inside. Great touch around the rim and superb vision made Clark one of the clear standouts from day one. [player_tooltip player_id="1270690" first="Elijah" last="Cain"] 6’2 SG | BDH Elite 2023 | Graham-Kapowsin HS 2023 Cain has a high motor with the ball and was one of the more elusive scorers of the day. He pounds the rock with a super-quick handle and gets to his spots with great blow-by ability, finishing with some crafty and acrobatic moves. He can also knock down the corner three which sets up his baseline drives. [player_tooltip player_id="1270691" first="Jalon" last="Blackwell"] 5’10 PG | BDH Elite 2023 | Kentridge HS 2023 You want to talk about a quick, springy kid, Blackwell plays way above his size at the guard spot. He displays high-level on-ball defense with a long reach and elite quickness. A true point guard at heart, he’s got good passing ability, hits the skips and manipulates the shell of the defense. But Blackwell also takes his game inside and can rise up high to finish or snag a board here and there. Overall, he’s an aggressive player who’s hard to keep pinned down. [player_tooltip player_id="1270693" first="Dane" last="Lewis"] 6’2 PG | BDH Elite 2023 | Kent-Meridian HS 2023 This kid has one of the easier times creating space and blowing by defenders. He is smooth on the handle, has great footwork, and has high-level court vision. He’s got the ability to put some points on the board but his greatest effect comes with passing. He had numerous no looks, quick dumps, and long zipped passes for wide-open looks. One of the top creators from day one, Lewis is a big man’s best friend. [player_tooltip player_id="1270732" first="Luke" last="Brewer"] 6’2 PG | Roots Academy 2023 | Tumwater HS 2023 This guy is a candidate for first-team all-toughness. He works hard on the perimeter and got caught in the post a few times where he battled hard, guarding guys with four to six inches on him. Brewer forced catches away from the rim, stayed in front, and forced tough shots. On offense, he showed similar grit; playing strong with the ball under pressure, and finishing high over close defense at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="1450960" first="Jaxson" last="Filler"] 6’6 PF | DENY Basketball 2023 National | Skyview HS 2024 Another candidate for all-toughness team, Filler is a kid who knows his game so well. He’s broad, takes up space, whether it’s on the roll, fighting for boards, or clogging up lanes on defense. He’s constantly fighting for optimal positioning and outworking opponents. He simply finds way to put get the bucket close in, and even looked good stepping out to knock down a three. [player_tooltip player_id="857370" first="Sidney" last="Jones"] 6’6 SF | Progress Elite 2023 | Aloha HS 2022 A big kid who gets to the rack. Jones has the size and strength of a forward but approaches the game with a guards mentality. He has that quick first step to get inside and the muscle to bounce defenders off and create good looks right at the rim. He’s either going to find his looks or get to the line, but his game is breaking you down and attacking the rim. Tanner Brewer 6’4 PF | Oly Basketball Academy | Tumwater HS 2023 He’s pretty slick for a big man, slicing inside and finishing strong but his main impact is wearing down opponents. Brewer has good leaping ability and brings a tenacity that most on the court don’t match. When the ball goes up, he’s determined to get the board. He’s got a strong rip-through and goes inside with a purpose. Gunnar Harroun 6’6 PF | Oly Basketball Academy | Tumwater 2023 Love to see bigs who want to bang, and Harroun is one of those guys. He has some good ball skills and can operate further out but he’s at his best on the block or in the middle. He uses good turns and a wide frame to buck defenders off and make enough space to create consistent good looks. He is good with his back to the basket and is another guy with a high work rate inside, operating with a dog mentality. Andrew Dearman 6’2 SF | Farm Roots Hoops 17U | Hanford HS 2023 I swear this kid has to be bigger than 6’2. He banged with the bigs from Oly Basketball Academy all game. He wasn’t always winning the matchups, but he lived out the old Dwyane Wade commercial - "Fall seven times, stand up eight." Dearman worked his butt off all game, giving up size and strength, but never giving in. He profiles more as a wing and showed off great finishing ability at the rim. He has good burst and lift, and is a tough kid to stop once he gets a foot in the key.