Hoopsource May Day Challenge – Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoopsource May Day Challenge took place last weekend and we had the opportunity to drop by and watch a handful of games, including the 17U D2 finals where the Rose City Rebels 17U Select squad captured the title over GRIT. Here's a look at some of the top performers we saw during the two-day event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197476' first='Kaden' last='Groenig'], GRIT (2024 Southridge)</strong> - Groenig was a magician with the basketball, using his handle to create for himself and keep defenders completely off balance. He hit mid-range shots, got to the hoop, and kicked it out to open teammates in helping his GRIT squad to the 17U D2 title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547066' first='Chase' last='McDonald'], Rose City Rebels 17U Select (2024 Putnam)</strong> - In the 17U D2 title game, McDonald came up big in the clutch by hitting three open threes to keep GRIT at bay whenever they came close. Earlier in the contest he was content with running the offense and finding the open man. He also did a solid job in trying to stay in front of Groenig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1910010' first='Demir' last='Johnson'], Rose City Rebels 17U Select (2024 Jefferson)</strong> - Johnson is a tremendous run and jump athlete and we're starting to see his skill level rise. He showed off some quick spin moves in the paint and got some finishes and was a force on the boards on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368277' first='Landon' last='Knox'], Run &amp; Shoot (2025 Cascade)</strong> - Knox has one of the sweetest shooting strokes in his class and that was on display in the game we watched. He was on fire from three, hitting at least five, but was also tough in the mid-range and finishes in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738601' first='Liam' last='Spencer'], Run &amp; Shoot (2023 Sprague)</strong> - Spencer made plays in the same game, hitting threes but also converting some tough buckets in the lane. Unsigned, he noted that he's leaning towards committing to Linn-Benton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='861093' first='Jamel' last='Pichon'], SC Panthers (2023 Cleveland)</strong> - Pichon is one of the few players that can really make an impact without actually scoring the ball himself. He drove to the hoop and found open teammates and was a terror defensively in the passing lanes. He recently signed with the Community College of Spokane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256717' first='JahAllah' last='Van'], SC Panthers (2023 Lincoln)</strong> - Van's collegiate future may be with running, but he certainly showed out in the hoops game we watched. The guard caught fire from three and used his speed to get to the hoop ahead of defenders in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738603' first='Noah' last='Neal'], Starts With U (2023 Oregon City)</strong> - Neal used his shooting ability to hit threes over smaller opponents, and utilized his size and length to be a factor on the boards on both ends. He remains unsigned and noted that he's been looking at the possibility of prep school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->