The Hardwood Invite: Stars of the Tournament (Pt I)
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What a weekend it was at the 2022 Hardwood Invite. From Friday through Tuesday, Garfield High School was filled with some of the best ballers from across Washington and Oregon, and all who came to watch were treated to plenty…
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Continue ReadingWhat a weekend it was at the 2022 Hardwood Invite. From Friday through Tuesday, Garfield High School was filled with some of the best ballers from across Washington and Oregon, and all who came to watch were treated to plenty of games with playoff atmospheres. There were tons of top dogs showing out but I’ve grabbed a handful of stars that were consistently above the rest. Here is part one of my Stars of the Tournament.
Whenever McCullum gets subbed out, you can’t help but think it’s the other team getting a breather rather than McCullum. He seems to have gotten even stronger than last season and grown an inch or two on top of that. He was incredibly efficient all tournament and capped off Garfield’s 4-0 run with back-to-back double-double’s, including a 30-point performance in the championship game. In the paint, he is what you call an immovable object. He snatched 3-plus offensive boards three times this tournament, including two games with 5, and more often than not puts ball right back in the hoop.
One of the best games of the tournament was Reilly’s Skyline against Garfield in the second round. Skyline led for much of the game but ultimately lost by four to the Bulldogs. Reilly was a huge reason for Skyline’s success and his hot shooting was the catalyst for what many would have called an upset, even as Skyline took down Mount Si just before the Hardwood Invite. Reilly showed off great footwork and was able to hit the quick step back off one dribble and drain long shots all game. He was showing off pinpoint accuracy from mid-range, and from a few feet behind the arc.
Highlights
It’s not a surprise to see Brewer shooting well, and it’s not a surprise to see him bring energy across the board. So, as I watched at the Invite, I keyed in on smaller details like how he responds to mistakes. Even in the midst of committing a turnover, or taking an errant shot, Brewer stays focused and quickly moves on to how he can make the next play. He remains hyper tuned in to the game and his high IQ shows through specifically as he makes mistakes, with his ability to recover and turn the tides back in his favor.
Highlights
If you thought Hiatt looked beyond his years last season, take a look at him now. He is stronger, more assertive, and averaged over 27 points per game at the Hardwood Invite. He was muscling his way to the hoop, finishing through multiple defenders, spraying from long-range, and stuffing the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, you name it. He looks in full form right now and showed off a complete arsenal over the course of the tournament.
Highlights
Another guy from the 2025 class who plays beyond his years is Beckett Currie Beckett Currie 6’0″ | PG Camas | 2025 State WA . He started of the tournament with a bang, setting The Hardwood Invite records for threes in a game (12), and points in a game (44). From there, he went on to finish in the top five in total scoring in the tournament as Camas played in a bunch of close games. What sets Currie apart from a lot of other kids in his class is his laser-focus. It is clear he is locked in way before he steps between the lines as he continues to sky-rocket in his development.