Arch Madness: Earl’s 15U Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> The Prep Hoops Arch Madness event got underway on Saturday at the Chesterfield Sports Complex outside of St. Louis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> This weekend, I'm watching the action in the 15U Division. After watching six games on Saturday, here is what I witnessed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2106392,"width":288,"height":215,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5033.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5033.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2106392" width="288" height="215" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 1: Mavericks G-Elite-1 vs STL Pressure</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a high scoring, fast-paced game, the Mavericks defeated the Pressure 94-78 in pool play. The Mavericks employed multiple offensive weapons, led by 6'5 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2117946' first='Alex' last='Komorech'] (pictured), who scored 28 points. He really controlled the action in the point with his scoring and rebounding. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard Drew Heischmidt provided the perimeter spark with 16 points, which included a trio of 3-pointers. Fellow guard Collin Sinclair added 10 points. The 6'1 Sinclair is an excellent scoring threat, but he displayed his passing skills in this particular game. He had some nifty assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The STL Pressure was led by 6'1 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2843280' first='Keenan' last='Harris'] who scored 28 points. He did most of his damage in the paint as he had an uncanny knack of finding the basket from numerous angles and also through contact. Guard Brady Kluba scored 14 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers. He knocked down a pair of 3-pointers upon entering the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2106394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5048.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5048.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2106394" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 2: Mavericks G-Elite-2 vs J-Rock All-Stars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks-2 squad pulled away from the J-Rock All-Stars in the second half to post a 62-42 victory. Guard Alex Shadow (pictured) set the tone early by attacking the basket and getting buckets en route to a game high 15 points. I was also very impressed with 6'4 forward Witten Troup. He scored eight points, but he made a big impact with his passing ability and his shot blocking on defense. Guard Ben Seliga had a solid all-around game off the bench with nine points and a nice floor game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2106395,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5072.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5072.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2106395" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 3: Pocket City vs Oklahoma Chaos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best game that I watched during the day was this championship bracket quarterfinal game, which was won by Pocket City 64-60 in a double overtime thriller. Both teams had great chances to win the game in the final 10 seconds of regulation, but missed their shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pocket City got the go-ahead score in the second overtime, then forced a turnover and sealed the game at the free throw line. Cordell Turner (pictured) a 6'4 forward, led Pocket City with 24 points. An elite athlete with a high motor, he was tough to stop in the paint throughout the game. <br>Pocket City also had a pair of dynamic small guards in 5'9 Cooper Wright and 5'9 JJ Lowery. Wright scored 13 points and delivered many nifty passes. Lowery scored 12 points with many coming off his pull up jumper from the mid-range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chaos featured a dynamic guard of its own in 6'0 Isaac Sanders, who is an excellent two-way performer. He scored a team high 18 points. He was powering his way into the lane for buckets and also draining 3-pointers. Wing player Mason Matulis added 14 points. He played a very smooth game that was under control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2106406,"width":225,"height":168,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5106.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5106.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2106406" width="225" height="168" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 4: ABC Elite vs [program_tooltip program_id='2077046' first='Mid' last='Mo Elite']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In another quarterfinal bracket game ABC Elite scored a solid 66-47 victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2077046' first='Mid' last='Mo Elite']. ABC was led by 6'7 forward Derrick Hudson (pictured) who scored 15 points and looked dominant at times. He scored and rebounded inside and went on rim runs which resulted in alley oop dunks. Guard Duke Bowman is a nice 6'3 wing who scored 16 points. He's a good finisher in transition with 3-point shooting range. Tavyn is a strong 6'3 wing who can score down low with his strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2077046' first='Mid' last='Mo Elite'] was led by 6'4 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2544046' first='Caden' last='Lewis'] who scored a game high 17 points. He had it going in the first half as he hit :-pointers and scored on slashing drives. Also looking impressive was 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334930' first='Brandon' last='Rooks'], who scored 10 points off the bench. He will be one of the top incoming freshmen in Mid Missouri.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2106410,"width":193,"height":144,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5122.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5122.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2106410" width="193" height="144" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 5: Midwest Basketball Central-Craig vs. Mavericks G-Elite 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In another bracket quarterfinal game, Midwest Basketball Central was dominant from start to finish in its 62-30 victory. The catalyst is point guard Cooper Craig (pictured) who scored 10 points, but he set up teammates throughout the game with his elite passing. One big beneficiary was 6'6 forward Evan Sickmiller, who scored 18 points. He's mobile and an excellent finisher in the paint. The top scorer was guard Seth Hoersten who scored 20 points. The young sharpshooter hit four 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2106411,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5144.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_5144.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2106411" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 6: Clippers Premier Black vs MO Legacy: In the last game I watched, Clippers Premier Black defeated MO Legacy 67-48 in a consolation bracket game. My favorite part of this game was a matchup between a pair of young wide-body forwards in 6'3 Joseph Jones of Clippers Premier and 6'5 [player_tooltip player_id='2717754' first='Will' last='Baugus'] of MO Legacy. Both scored 12 points and moved people around inside. Baugus has a strong post game while Jones could step out a hit the 3-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The difference in the game for the Clippers was their lightning quick guards. Julius Jackson (pictured) scored a team high 19 points. He was a blur in the open court. Colby Cain is a 6'1 guard with good length and athleticism. He scored 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was also impressed with 5'10 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2541249' first='Kaiden' last='Asberry'] of MO Legacy. In addition to his game-high 24 points, Asberry was also the team's primary ball handler. He was getting buckets at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->