#PHThePlatform Playing Up

The 17U division at #PHThePlatform was loaded with talent, and the competition was fierce and intense. This wasn't a division for the faint at heart. So when I saw the younger players stepping into the building and playing up, I had to show them some love, so here goes…   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Jshawn-Robinson-C.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1503241 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Jshawn-Robinson-C-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Jshawn Robinson (6'3/PF |C/2024)   Team: Premium Ballerz Youth Organization Instagram: Kidrichhh_ Twitter: @Jay2swagy   Jshawn is a listed 6'3 PF/C, and when you look at those metrics, the first thing that stands out is that he is undersized at the position. Playing the 4/5 during the #PHPlatform, which was dominated by guard play, was ok for that weekend. However, there may be some tournaments pending where PBYO goes this month during the live period, that Jshawn may be a liability at that position. However, when looking at J's performance during The Platform, he was a force to reckon with in the paint on both ends. <blockquote> He has a good physical profile and plays with power and strength for his size. </blockquote> He plays with a high motor and brings energy and effort. He doesn't mind mixing it up and making the game a little physical in the paint as he will bully his way to the rim on offense, give a few solid bumps on defense, and throw his body around on the glass. His offensive game was limited to the paint area during the times I saw him, but he was efficient and productive, playing to his strengths. I'm not saying that he cannot do so now, but from what I saw, expanding his game outside of the paint will only increase his stock.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Trent-Grunewald-C.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1503242 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Trent-Grunewald-C-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Trent Grunewald (6'2/PG/2025)   Team: H.G. Tigers Instagram: trentgrunewald Twitter: @GrunewaldTrent   Of all the players playing up I saw during #PHThePlatform, Trent was the youngest and had a significant impact in the scoring column. Outside of the contest against NYBA, the other two games I saw, he finished in double figures. He is a multi-level scorer that showed promise from behind the arc and when slashing and knifing his way to the cup. <blockquote> His inexperience showed at times, but as a '25 kid playing in the '23 division, he held his own, competed, and didn't take a back seat to no one. </blockquote> There is a lot to like about his game, and just think about it, he is just a rising sophomore. He is a prospect that I will keep my eyes on, monitoring his development. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Heath-Roethel-C.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1503243 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Heath-Roethel-C-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Heath Roethel (6'0/CG/2024)   Team: H.G. Tigers Instagram: heathroethel22 Twitter: N/A   When I initially saw the H.G. Tigers, it was against a solid-performing NYBA team. It was a tough night offensively for the Tigers across the board, but after the initial punch thrown by NYBA, the Tigers settled down and started competing. Heath was a key to the fight as he manufactured his production by finding ways to score, and that was often done in transition or taking advantage of blown defensive assignments by NYBA guards. <blockquote> Heath did show the ability to score from behind the arc and in the 15-17 foot area. </blockquote> Even though he is playing up, he can be more of a scoring option for the Tigers.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Kolten-Perry-C.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1503244 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Kolten-Perry-C-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Kolten Perry (6'4/SF/2024)   Team: North Alabama elite Instagram: kolten42 Twitter: @blaze_kolten   Kolton Perry is a role player on this squad, which is just what the NAE team needs. He does all the dirty work, and his impact is felt on both ends of the floor. He is a player that defends, crashes the boards, and gets on the floor after loose balls. He helps keep the flow of the offense going as he knows where the ball needs to go on every possession. <blockquote> He adds his scoring by manufacturing his points off the offensive glass and getting put-backs and getting out in transition, and running the floor. </blockquote> Whether or not Kolton has a plethora of tools in the toolbox remains to be seen; as for now, on this NAE squad, he is giving them exactly what they need to be a successful team. Make no mistake about it; he is getting valuable experience that will help his overall game in the long term. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Judson-Bjornstad-C.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1503245 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Judson-Bjornstad-C-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Judson Bjornstad (6'6/SG/2024)   Team: EAB Instagram: N/A Twitter: @JudsonBjornstad   Judson is a lengthy wing player that shot the ball well from beyond the arc. He was efficient in his c&s opportunities throughout the weekend. He is a listed SG that is not a high-volume shot-taker, but he makes plays that contribute to winning. He showed that he could put it on the floor and create his own shot and create for others. Even though he isn't as assertive as he could be when it comes to looking for his offense, he is a player that the defense has to account for when he is out around the arc. <blockquote> He was active on the glass as his length contributed to that area of his game. </blockquote> As one of the young players I saw playing up, he needs to continue to work in the weight room, getting stronger and developing his body. He has the length to be a more aggressive and versatile player on the defensive end of the floor, but that will take a greater personal commitment to do that. He did not have huge numbers in the game that I saw him play, but again we are talking about a player playing up that has another year to step into a bigger role in the future.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Tyson-Norris-C.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1503246 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/PH-Tyson-Norris-C-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Tyson Norris (6'0/SG/2024)   Team: Louisiana Fire Instagram: tysonnorris.2 Twitter: @LaFire2022   Tyson is a player that played within himself throughout the weekend and made an impact beyond the scoresheet. In a 52-73 loss to a NYBA team that finished 4-0 for the weekend, he chipped in 9pts. He is 6'0 and listed as a SG and showed signs that he can produce on the offensive end of the court. Taking time over the next few months and honing his PG skill set will help him when viewing his game thru a long-term lens. <blockquote> He is gaining valuable experience that will only help him raise his game. </blockquote>