EYBL: 17U MD/DC Takeaways
EYBL play tipped off yesterday in Kansas City and unfortunately, I could not attend. That didn’t stop me from taking in as much action as I could via live stream. Focusing on the local programs in Team Melo, Team Takeover…
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Continue ReadingEYBL play tipped off yesterday in Kansas City and unfortunately, I could not attend. That didn’t stop me from taking in as much action as I could via live stream. Focusing on the local programs in Team Melo, Team Takeover and Team Durant , I’ll give some takeaways from what I gathered.
Solomon Ball Solomon Ball 6'3" | CG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #106 Nation NLG explodes in win over Houston Hoops
While it took Melo as a team time to adjust to the disruptive length that Houston Hoops had to offer, 2023 guard Solomon Ball Solomon Ball 6'3" | CG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #106 Nation NLG (UConn commit) got started early and refused to take his foot off the petal as the game progressed. The 6-foot-3 lefty scored the nets for 35 points on an efficient 13-of-20 from the field. He got started by burying a couple of triples off the catch and then proceeded to attack off of one or two dribbles, get to his spots in the mid-range and cash in for jumpers while in the half court. As usual, he was explosive in transition and didn’t shy away from contesting bigs who sprinted for chase down block opportunities. If he wasn’t leading the break himself, he was filling the lanes wide and being a lob threat with his pogo-stick jumping ability. Ball also took accountability on the glass where he helped close down possessions. On the offensive end, his willingness to rebound was also valued. He had two buckets in these scenarios, which were plays that helped kick Houston while they were down.
The length throughout this Houston roster forced 2023 guard Carlton Carrington Carlton Carrington 6'4" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #84 Nation MD (Pittsburgh commit) to struggle in the early going. Once the second half came around, he found his rhythm and did a good job of being shot-ready as others penetrated. His production in the fourth quarter was key in sealing the win as he finished with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, seven rebounds and three assists.
2023 wing Jayden Ross (UConn commit) and 2023 point guard Mason So Mason So 6'1" | PG DeMatha | 2023 State MD chipped in with eight points a piece and helped spark a third quarter run to regain before separating themselves in the final eight minutes.
Balance is key for TTO
Team Takeover earned a tough victory over a skilled City Rocks team thanks to their balanced scoring throughout the rotation. 2024 Isaiah Abraham Isaiah Abraham 6'7" | SG Paul VI | 2024 State #62 Nation VA led with 13 points and did a nice job of coming off of flex cuts, catching the ball on the block and scoring inside. As the game went on, Abraham stepped outside to the corner and knocked down a couple of three’s, further displaying his overall versatility on that end of the floor. Defensively he guarded multiple positions, collected multiple rebounds and made a couple of dishes that resulted in points.
2023 guard Malik Mack Malik Mack 6'0" | PG St. John’s | 2023 State #260 Nation MD came through in crunch time. He first knocked down a three off the catch as the clock struck under two minutes to make it a two-possession game. On the ensuing possession, he squeezed a pass into a tight window to 2023 DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA in the paint for a bucket. Finally, Mack put a nail in the coffin with a couple of trips to the free-throw line to add to the advantage. Mack finished with 12 points in the win.
Speaking of Harris-Smith, he had his share of highs in this contest. The 6-foot-5 lefty got downhill with regularity where he’d create contact and score tough buckets or showcase his instincts as a passer with split-second reads as the weak side defenders rotated. He posted a respectable eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
Team Durant runs away
Team Durant flexed its muscles with an 18-point win over Mac Irvin Fire last night. They were led by our No. 1 ranked player in the 2023 class, Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD . The 6-foot-8 forward logged a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds. For much of the game, Irvin Fire sat in a 2-3 zone. That’s where Hansberry feasted at the high-post area where he’d catch, face-up and dissect with skip passes to open shooters in the opposite corner. If he wasn’t swinging the ball opposite he was trying to find 2023 forward David Solomon in the dunker’s spot. When Solomon wasn’t in the game Hansberry operated in paint where he finishes multiple over the shoulder hooks He also stepped out to 17-feet and knocked down a jumper. On the glass, Hansberry was dominant. He’s become an automatic double-double, but where his value has skyrocketed is with his ability to grab a rebound and lead the break himself. In one instance, he grabbed the defensive board, led the break down the left side of the court and as he crossed the midway point, zipped a cross court pass off the live dribble to a shooter spotting up on the perimeter for a transition three.
I also thought 2024 guard Del Jones Del Jones 6'2" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2024 CA-S was fantastic. He finished with 11 points and five assists, but his presence was felt in many more ways than could indicate on the box score. He was diving on the floor for 50/50’s, strapping up his matchup and brought an energy that flowed throughout his four teammates sharing the floor. He ran the show as a point guard and got paint touches whenever he wanted. He’d play off two feet in these cases and did a nice job of knocking down pull ups or delivering dump-off passes as the defense rotated to halt his penetration.
It was good to see 2023 wing Jayden Harris Jayden Harris 6'8" | SG Potomac Va | 2023 State VA get in the mix. The 6-foot-5 lefty was more assertive as a driver and didn’t back down for finishes around the basket that included contact. He was well-prepared to play off Jones’ kick outs where he’d catch, sweep-through and get into his shot with good balance off the dribble.