Grit Region Finals: Teddy’s Saturday Notebook (part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16U NOVA (OH) Opens With Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To begin the morning, I caught a glimpse of [program_tooltip program_id='2076263' first='NOVA' last='Village'] from Columbus, OH facing Michigan Goonies in the 16U Consolation pool. In the opening half, Jacob Le Gron was catching fire and knocked down four triples. This helped give NOVA a 14 point advantage at halftime. In the second half, Ny Petty helped NOVA hold a comfortable lead. He was so quick in transition and used a physical frame to get to the line and finish through contact. He led NOVA in scoring in the second half. On the Goonies, Trey Richardson was making the biggest impact. I was really intrigued by his ball-handling abilities as well as his touch around the rim. NOVA won 52-39 as Le Gron scored 18 and Petty had 13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Catrail Jones Big For Memphis Knights&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before this game, Memphis Knights ATH Catrail Jones scored a whopping 28 points. Against IL Bears, he was just as impactful and a big difference maker. He played almost every position and did any role you can think of. In the begining, he was very impactful on the fast break and showed lots of speed with the ball. Also added a really smooth layup in transition. As the game went on, Jones was more active on the glass and getting his teammates involved. [player_tooltip player_id='1919392' first='Kareem' last='Ollins'] helped lead a nice run late in the first half. Showing nice explosiveness down the lane for a bucket and extending his range for a 3-pointer. He led all scorers at halftime with 12 points. When trailing in the 2nd half, Catrail Jones made this a contest by hitting a high volume of shots inside. Not only scoring off contested shots, but with both hands. A third player who quietly stood out was 5'11” PG [player_tooltip player_id='1952238' first='Caleb' last='Carpenter']. He was solid on defense and was impactful in transition offensively. He even hit a three to make this a close contest in the second half. Carpenter, Ollins, and Jones all ended the game in double figures as Catrail Jones led all scorers with another 28-point game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>California's IE Fire Continues Impressive Weekend</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming all the way from California, IE Fire won their opening two games on Friday. They continued that momentum into Saturday against Royalty. Holding a 19-point advantage at halftime. Lots of that success was because of Ely Elegado. He hit three first half triples and was continuously getting his guys involved. Just before halftime, he picked up two more assists. Another IE fire prospect to watch is PG Julius Bower. He's a very strong slasher who also hit a three to start the game. Both Bower and Elegado opened the 2nd half with a pair of buckets to push the lead to 24. Both were so sharp offensively and very hard to keep pace with. Feeding off each others energy. Carrying the Fire to a 58-35 win. Both Elegado and Bower finished with 14 points. They faced Team Teague in the quarterfinal Saturday Afternoon where Bower started hot. Looking so comfortable early on with a smooth shooting stroke. Cashis Blue also played well in this game. He had a fadeaway and-one in the first few minutes and followed it up with a really nice drive for two more. He even kicked it out to Bower in the corner for three. When down 10 in the second half, Bower buried three triples in a row to help make it a 2-point game. He ended with 21 in a close loss to Team Teague.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ohio United Cruises to Semifinal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I ended the day with Quality Sports Academy facing Ohio United in a 16U Quarterfinal. It was Ohio United who took control had the hot start led by 6'7” F [player_tooltip player_id='1503914' first='Tyler' last='Kielmeyer'] and 6'5” SG [player_tooltip player_id='1701047' first='Pharez' last='Nicholas']. Pharez had a two-handed dunk under the rim early on and followed it up with a contested three. Kielmeyer, a 6'7” big man, displayed excellent upper body strength to get to the rim and create separation in the opening few minutes. Shortly after, [player_tooltip player_id='2052128' first='Dominic' last='Theado'] got going with a pair of inside scores to keep United in front. Even [player_tooltip player_id='1432011' first='Kruz' last='McClure'] hit a baseline jumper and frustrated opponents on the defensive front. Nicholas opened the second half with another three and converted a handful of free throws. 5'10” PG Xavier Rodgers forced turnovers and earned some easy transition buckets too. Everyone did their part for Ohio United as they cruised to the 16U semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->