Arch Madness: Teddy’s Saturday AM Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GABL Future (KS) 17U Explodes in Second Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The weekend started with me watching the Illinois Valley Warriors face Kansas's GABL Future 17U. The Warriors were off and running to a quick 10-0 lead behind exceptional play from Carson Baker. The 6'0” PG buried a three in the opening minutes and followed it up with a very impressive reverse layup driving baseline. 6'2” CG Jonathan Moore also got going offensively. Burying a contested three and making two nice cuts towards the rim. Despite the slow start, GABL Future stayed in the contest. G Jerryn McNair was crucial in transition and picked up a wide range of buckets inside. Demarques Fletcher made some big defensive plays for a 5'7” guard too. He had two blocks in the first five minutes while creating numerous transition opportunities that led to easy points on offense. The shooting was also very efficient for GABL throughout the contest, with numerous players hitting threes from different spaces on the floor. I was very impressed with the distribution and decision-making in the second half of the contest. 2025 CG Brady Collar made some big plays attacking the rim. Displaying a smooth touch and knocking down a handful of difficult buckets. An and-one conversion eventually gave GABL Future a double-digit lead with six minutes left. GABL Future used a big second half and cruised to a 64-44 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17U Arnold Elite (TX) Rouche And Royalty Hoops (IL) Have Prospects I Like</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Arnold Elite-Royalty Hoops contest, each team had a prospect that stood out. Royalty Hoops 6'2” G Henry Thomas was really hot early. He knocked down two triples in the opening few minutes and added a floater from the block shortly after. Thomas was their top playmaker in the early stages of this matchup and continued to knock down more buckets from the midrange as the opening half went on. On Arnold Elite, Donavan Gomez had a great opening half. The unsigned senior knocked down three triples in the first quarter of the contest with a smooth shooting stroke, while also finding a pair of inside scores. He also made great reads on both ends and had no problem getting his guys involved while commanding the offense. In a tight game in the second half, the two continued to command their teams offenses. Thomas buried another outside shot whole Gomez was more active in the passing game. On defense, Gomez had a pair of steals and even contributed on the glass. In the finals minute, Thomas buried another floater from the free throw line that cut the deficit to one point. After one free throw on the other end, Thomas assisted Andrew Thomas for a go-ahead three to win 51-50.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A look at IL Orange 17's vs WI Hoops Select&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17U Illinois Orange squad has some impressive players and have put together a strong AAU season. But this was the first time I watched them in person. Several prospects in the states Top 200 make up this roster. In the opening frame, Orange had lots of different guys contribute in the opening stages, with six different guys finding the bucket offensively. But on Wisconsin Hoops, 6'2” G Cyle Steffl stole the show. He hit five triples in the first half in different areas on the floor. He showed so much confidence out there to help give his team an eight point halftime lead. To keep them in it, [player_tooltip player_id='1874870' first='Tallis' last='Lowery'] started to make plays in the second half for IL Orange. Displaying exceptional speed in the open floor and finding confidence attacking the rim. He also forced some turnovers defensively. But when he subbed out, Wisconsin took control again. Steffl hit another three and showed strong slashing abilities with a contested left-handed finish. Keegan Coffey also had a nice showing. He's a bigger-bodied guard who can made plays both inside and on the perimeter. Wisconsin Hoops held on to win 56-39 as Steffl led the way with 20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Royalty Over Diamonds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading down to the 16U group, Royalty Hoops (IL) had a nice start against Milwaukee-area's “Diamond in the Rough”. After a string of nice performances in Indy a couple weeks ago, [player_tooltip player_id='2022297' first='Marcus' last='Russell'] had another strong start. He flashed a big time ability to fly down the lane, draw fouls, and shoot from the midrange early on. He also displayed excellent footwork on both ends. It took no-time for Royalty to get off to a double-digit lead. The team defense was outstanding too. Everyone was organized and communicating effectively. Royalty only allowed eight points in the first half and continuously forced bad shot after bad shot throughout the game. I was also impressed by AJ Austin. The 6'3” Combo showed off nice athleticism around the rim and hit shots from all levels of the floor. Later in the game, he came flying out of nowhere for a put-back finish and drew a foul in the process. He followed it up shorty after with a spin-move past a defender in transition. This gave them a 21-point advantage. Royalty held on for a comfortable win in this one, as 2025 G Cameron Johnson led the way with 13 points. AJ Austin scored 12 and [player_tooltip player_id='2022297' first='Marcus' last='Russell'] had 9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->