Havoc in the Heartland: 16U All Tournament Teams
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After a weekend off. The Prep Hoops Circuit returned to the greater Indianapolis area this past weekend for Havoc in the Heartland. In this scouts humble opinion. The three day event featured the deepest field of the circuit thus far.…
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Continue ReadingAfter a weekend off. The Prep Hoops Circuit returned to the greater Indianapolis area this past weekend for Havoc in the Heartland. In this scouts humble opinion. The three day event featured the deepest field of the circuit thus far. Accordingly picking an all tournament team is a difficult task. Following are the first and second team for the 16U division. With such a talented field. Third and fourth teams will be coming shortly.
First Team
Elijah Clinton Elijah Clinton 6'6" | CG Western | 2025 FL 6-6 Louisville Western (KY) A simply electric athlete who lived above the rim all weekend for Brad Beal Elite. The aerial show was on display at both ends of the court. However it was most apparent on the defensive side. Had some highlight reel rejections that simply looked they were out of a video game. This was due to an innate sense of hang time that can’t be taught. As you could imagine. This was also effective on the offensive end as well. Had multiple emphatic finishes that had the gym buzzing. Was more than just freak athlete though. Showed the ability to handle the ball and get to his spots on the perimeter. While a few of his teammates might have bigger national reputations at the moment. The athletic upside might make Clinton the best long term prospect.
Mark Zackery Mark Zackery 6'0" | PG Ben Davis | 2025 State #398 Nation IN 6-0 Indianapolis Ben Davis (IN) If you are a regular reader or follow my Twitter account. You probably know what I think of this player. One of my favorite point guards period. Regardless of state, shoe circuit, or even grade. I think he can play with anyone anywhere. He showed it again this weekend. In two separate games. He appeared to just flip a switch and change the tenor of a game. Even more impressive. Did this primarily on the defensive end. Got off to slow start on Friday night. Then midway through the first half seemed to flip the aforementioned switch. Sunk into and exploded through passing lanes for numerous steals and deflections. Has excellent defensive instincts and timing to go along with eye opening length. Turns defense into offense quickly. Has an array clever euro steps that are hard to stop when he is playing downhill. On Sunday had a rinse repeat type of game against Indiana Ambition. Took over that tight contest late in second half defensively as well. Simply put is a winning basketball player. Reigning state champion has the hardware to back that up. An elite national football recruit. Catch him on the hardwood while you still can.
EJ Walker EJ Walker 6'8" | PF Lloyd Memorial | 2025 State #116 Nation KY 6-7 Lloyd County (KY) While his teammate Clinton was providing perimeter fireworks. Walker was doing old school post work down low. Like Zackery seemed to have an ability to flip a switch when his team needed it most. Scored eight straight points after being relatively quiet in a Saturday victory over EG10. Has a physically advanced thick and wide frame. Is simply too much for most players in his age group to handle on the block. However don’t assume this is just a straight bully ball prospect. Has plenty of skill and plays with balance and maturity. Knows how to get deep position and seals off defenders with ease. Does this with well schooled footwork. If he gets it deep it’s a bucket. Has a soft touch and finishes over both shoulders. As a Michigan based scout. I see a lot Nick Ward (Michigan St) in this young man’s game.
Cedric Horton Cedric Horton 6'4" | SG Richmond | 2025 State #321 Nation IN 6-5 Richmond (IN) While Zackery was holding down the point. Horton was Team Teague Felder’s scoring standout. Is the prototype of a slashing swing man. Has a slender but extremely athletic frame. Uses it to knife through defenders and tight spaces. Also apparent in his drives down the baseline where space is especially at a premium. Lengthy frame allows him to play well above the rim. Lost count of how many dunks he had. Eventually stopped writing them down. Wasn’t just a problem in transition. Showed the ability to hit the three. Along with an improving ball handling set. Standout game was the Friday opener where he scored 27 points. These were impactful points as his team got off to a slow start. Also put up 14 against Brad Beal Elite and their extreme length and size. In that contest. One could see where adding strength to his frame is the next step development. Everything else is already there.
Tommy Clark 6-2 Kings (OH) Really liked this bouncy Ohio guard two weekends ago at The Stage. After a slow start Friday night against Team Teague Felder. I had concerns about the boost in competition for this weekends event. Clark took a blowtorch to those concerns on Sunday morning. Dropped 29 points in his squad’s upset victory over Brad Beal Elite. This wasn’t just a fluky AAU game where a player gets hot from behind the arc. Clark is a legitimate three level scorer. Has a tight handle and is a strong penetrator. Plays with moxie and without fear. Hit a stone cold dagger of a three to seal the Sunday victory. The bounce and ability to finish at the rim are what set him apart from other guards. Simply put he will bang it on your head. I have seen him finish in traffic off the bounce. I seen him put one down off a designed lob. Two weekends ago I even saw a windmill in transition. I’m not from Ohio. I’m not entirely sure where his recruitment or reputation stands. However showed this weekend he can play with anyone.
Second Team
Tre Williams 6-0 St Louis Vashon (MO) The backcourt standout for Brad Beal Elite. Point guard was a jet with the ball in his hands. Though fast played with good pace throughout the weekend. Was able to start and stop on a dime. However his outside shooting is what stood out to me. Had a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. Sets up these opportunities nicely with his speed and penetration.
Athens McGillis Athens McGillis 5'9" | PG Covington Catholic | 2026 State KY 5-9 Covington Catholic (KY) MGillis is a 2026 playing up with All H.E.A.R.T. Has a tight handle and plays with a bit of flair. However the substance is there as well. Gets to his spots on the perimeter and is not afraid to take it down among the trees. Is an excellent shooter and his creative handle allows him to create space on the perimeter. Needed as he is not very big at this point of his development. Unlike a lot of young point guards. Doesn’t stagnate after the ball leaves his hands. Stays in constant motion and relocates well for open looks. Scored 26 points in his squads previously mentioned victory over Brad Beal Elite. The future is bright for this Cincinnati area point guard.
Jay Summit 6-3 Evansville Harrison (IN) Standout player for an Indiana Ambition squad that had a good weekend. Has stocky and sturdy frame. Despite this initial appearance also showed plenty of burst and explosiveness. Was a bull on drives and difficult to stop when playing downhill. Good shooter with a confident stroke as well. Standout contest was a Saturday victory against All H.E.A.R.T’s strong backcourt (see above) Scored 17 clutch points in that one.
Evan McIntire Evan McIntire 6'1" | SG Greenwood Christian | 2025 IN 6-1 Greenwood Christian Academy (IN) Led Indy Heat Competitive Greatness to a 3-1 record on the weekend. Really stood out in a Saturday night victory over Mike Glennon Elite. Connected on four triples to finish with 18 points. Also played good pressure defense. This led to a number of steals and dump off assists to teammates. Also led his squad with 12 points in their only loss of the weekend to Nova Village-Legron.
Josiah Ball Josiah Ball 6'5" | SF Maconaquah | 2025 State IN 6-6 Maconaquah (IN) Tall scoring forward had an strong weekend for EG10. Really popped on Friday night. Scored 32 points in a close defeat against Indiana Ambition. Versatile and scored in a wide variety of ways. Excelled in the mid range Good ball handler for his size and it particularly helped in creating those mid range looks. Has an unorthodox release on his shot. Shoots from a low release point. However it was effective and the mechanics were repeatable.