Lonestar State Showdown: 14U Saturday Backcourt Standouts

Xzavier Baker showed off his high level footwork and ball skills while coming down hill as he got into his bag and pulled out the euro step or a deceleration stride before finishing with a crafty layup or dishing it out to a teammate spotting up in the corner. Terrific athlete with an impressively explosive first step, Baker has a hang and go dribble that seemed tough to defend whether he was going with his left or right hand, slow feet got beat when attempting to stop him. Baker’s intensity, knack for taking chargers, and baiting players into fouls demoralized the opposing team and got them out of their game. 

Baskin set the tone of the first game with his dribble penetration, producing two quick layups within the first minute of play, scoring right off the tip before picking up a steal on the following possession. Throughout the game the lefty guard got to the rack by sizing his man up with jab steps before taking what the defense gave him. Baksin also seems to be developing good size for the point guard position, he’s already 6-feet with a strong solid build.

Dylan Franklin was absolutely dynamic anytime he was on the floor, the game came to him easily and his natural playmaking skillset on and off the ball were on full display. Franklin’s productivity on the glass helped bring his team back from being down double figures in the first half against the Dallas Mustangs. Not only did Dylan Franklin limit the Mustangs’s offensive rebounds but he also initiated the offense after snatching the ball out of the air and either scored or made the pass that led to a basket. This kid was unselfish with high level court awareness. As a shot maker, Franklin showcased a smooth touch and good alignment on his jumpshots, he put points on the board with his step back threes, pull-up jumpers, and high arcing releases. 

Javen Nededog utilized his playmaking instincts and counter dribbles to create separation and keep the defense honest. This lead guard did an excellent job of protecting the ball with his backside and his off hand while showing a great ability to use a defenders momentum against them. Nededog also made others around him better with his ability to control the tempo of the game, draw the defenses attention, and set guys up for open shots. 

This 6-foot-2-inch bucket getter, showed another dimension to his game on day 1, proving to be more than just a slasher but also a knock down shooter from the mid-range and from beyond the arc. Wilkison showed a very consistent shooting stroke with a soft touch, good rotation, and the same follow through whether it was a jumper or floater which led to his efficiency.