Passion Region Finals: Championship Sunday Standouts

After 12 hours of basketball, we've crowned new Passion Region Champions. Let's break down the standouts from each winning organization and their opponents. 15U Championship Athletes of Influence took home the championship behind a pair of top 35 2025. [player_tooltip player_id="1293280" first="CHRISTOPHER" last="MAXON"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1301752" first="Christian" last="Maxon"] have been automatic from deep, hitting volume shots at a high percentage all weekend. Christian had it going on the biggest stage dropping 32 points. Christopher stunned with his amazing handle and ability to shoot off the dribble. Joseph Gayle who will be a part of the expanded rankings has the size, athleticism, and motor to fuel is two-way play. He's the perfect compliment for the Maxon's as he plays on and off the ball. [caption id="attachment_1514605" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0374-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514605 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0374-150x150.jpg" alt="Maddox Whitney | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a> Maddox Whitney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514601" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0372-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514601 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0372-150x150.jpg" alt="JoJo Scott | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a> JoJo Scott[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514600" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Toby-Lane.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514600 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Toby-Lane-150x150.jpg" alt="Toby Lane | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a> Toby Lane[/caption] The Lakeland Spartans had a hand full of prospects to watch over their careers. Toby Lane the younger brother of Saint Leo's basketball commit Trey Lane is a bucket. At 5'6 he can score on all three levels and run the show. Watch out for his jumper whether he's on or off the ball. That toughness his brother showed his entire career is a family trait. Maddox Whitney is a flat out sniper. In the semifinal game, he dropped four threes just to drop three more in the finals. Whitney can get hot in a hurry and rattle multiple shots from deep in a row. JoJo Scott may be the best prospect out of the guard prospects. He has great speed and already stands 6 feet tall. Scott can finish through contact, push the pace on the break, and collects steals with his long arm. 16U Championship [caption id="attachment_1514606" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0388-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514606 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0388-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1055777" first="Derek" last="Delgardo"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514607" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0389-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514607 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0389-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1457207" first="Nate" last="Boakye"][/caption]G1 Sports is a well-run organization with a roster of guards that knows how to play their roles. [player_tooltip player_id="1055777" first="Derek" last="Delgardo"]'s role is to put points on the board. In the semifinals, he had the loudest 19 points of the weekend. He knocked down deep three off the catch and dribble, pushed the pace on the break, and showed off a creative handle. When the game is fast, he's at his best. [player_tooltip player_id="1457207" first="Nate" last="Boakye"] is an athletic lead guard that puts pressure on both sides of the ball. He can guard 94 feet and has an amazing second and third jumper. Boakye has the speed to attach defenders downhill with the athletic burst to finish around the rim and the vision to find teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='2197818' first='Jack' last='Burkard'] is 6'3 off guard that does the little things to make an impact. He shoots well off movement and has the athleticism to help on the boards. [player_tooltip player_id='1163620' first='Daniel' last='Delgardo'] is a heady point guard that plays well in a team concept. He didn't have a great game in the final but showed off his fundamentals when scoring in the paint. Danny is more of a floor general that will step aside to let his teammates do their thing. [caption id="attachment_1514611" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Jovan-Palavra.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514611 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Jovan-Palavra-150x150.jpg" alt="Jovan Palvra | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a> Jovan Palvra[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514610" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Jaden-Baker.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514610 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Jaden-Baker-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1306129" first="Jaden" last="Baker"][/caption]Spartans Elite won the Passion Region championship behind [player_tooltip player_id="1306129" first="Jaden" last="Baker"]'s 32 points. Any time Baker gets the rebound, be ready to run with him. He made the game a track meet, scoring several points in transition. In the halfcourt, he can knock down shots beyond the arc. As the son of a head coach, he does the right thing on the defensive end and has the toughness to take charges. His wing man Jovan Palavra is an active player on both ends. He competes for every rebound, flies around on defense, and has good size at 6'3. Palavra is a solid 3 and D prospect that can finish around the rim. True swiss army knife for the Spartans. Elijah Lusbey is a 6'4 big with a developing game. He's a good offensive rebounder, scores off putbacks, and runs the floor. Lusbey is honing his jump shot and rolls well out of the pick and roll. 17U Championship [caption id="attachment_1514614" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0398-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514614 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0398-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1060262" first="Kyle" last="Jones"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514616" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0324-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514616 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0324-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="962515" first="Nathan" last="Bunkosky"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514618" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0325-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514618 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0325-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1295978" first="Thomas" last="Faucett"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514619" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0326-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514619 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0326-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1463429" first="Axel" last="Holmquist"][/caption]The Passion Region 17U title came down to two Jacksonville teams. North Florida United hoisted the trophy behind the play of a quartet of prospects. Nate Bunkowsky was on a heater all weekend, averaging a little over twenty points a game. He knows how to operate the pick and roll, can hit shots from deep, and finishes with both hands. It's his IQ and control of the game that makes him stand out. [player_tooltip player_id="1060262" first="Kyle" last="Jones"] is a physical wing prospect. He has a long wingspan and is absolutely locks in on the defensive end all game. His effort and athleticism help him as a weakside shot blocker. Jones has the strength and quickness to force turnovers and guard every perimeter position. [player_tooltip player_id="1463429" first="Axel" last="Holmquist"] is a methodical 6'7 post. He reads the floor well, has good footwork, and never forces play. Holmquist can take bigs off the dribble and affect shots as a below the rim big. [player_tooltip player_id="1295978" first="Thomas" last="Faucett"] has a consistent jumper from three. Each of his state lines this week had at least two threes on it. He's more of a lead guard during the high school season but drills open shots as an off guard. [caption id="attachment_1514622" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0382-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514622 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0382-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1463284" first="Ty" last="Owens"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1514628" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0381-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1514628 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0381-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1060257" first="Isaac" last="Edwards"][/caption]OTOD had some of the most entertaining games of the weekend, thanks to [player_tooltip player_id="1463284" first="Ty" last="Owens"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1060257" first="Isaac" last="Edwards"]. Owens is a tough scoring guard that can give you points from all levels. He's a solid athlete that can attack guys off the dribble and get in passing lanes. The 2023 guard can create space for himself any time he needs. Owens currently holds an offer from Greensboro College. Edwards is a 6'5 forward with bounce and toughness. He crushed dunks, blocked shots, and rebounded at a high level. The forward uses his frame and athletic ability as a rim roller.