Las Vegas Main Event – From the notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I followed Pac Xpress 16U over the weekend and watched so[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e great tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']s along the way. Pac Xpress, the local tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] Washington went 2-3 in the tourna[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ent including an exciting overti[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e win. Here's what I saw fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] the Pac and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[progra[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']_tooltip progra[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']_id='2075463' first='Elevation' last='Flyers'] - 16U</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577990' first='Evan' last='[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ckean'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid stood out for what he did on the defensive end of the floor. He is a talented offensive player who can score inside and out but his ball pressure forced several turnovers for layups on the other end. He finished with 17 points vs Pac Xpress in a close ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e to the wire. It was his defensive pressure that was the ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e changer. He picks up full court and he's not afraid to get up into the ball handling guards. He also had a ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e of 24 points on Friday. I didn't see that one but wasn't surprised to see his na[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e on the leader board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pac - Xpress - 16U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pac went to Vegas with six players who I know a little about. All 6 had their share in the offensive side with so[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e balanced scoring in [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ost ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']es. All six played their roles well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1471162' first='Gage' last='Bru[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']field']<br>Gage is an athlete. He excels at getting to the ri[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] off the dribble drive He is strong and finishes plays at the ri[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']. He gets downhill fast. He absorbs contact and gets to the free throw line. He has so[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e craftiness along the way with spin [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']oves and fade away ju[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']pers in the lane. He really helps this tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] in all categories. He rebounds, guards any position on the floor. He scores. He was consistent in all categories. If the ju[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']pers start falling fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] three, he is a tough one to stop. He's best breaking down the defense off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1984488' first='Karsen' last='Denault']<br>Another elite level athlete. He and Bru[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']field are returning to football as all state wide receivers last season. In hoops, Karsen is also a downhill player. He gets to the basket with explosiveness and quickness. He is an elite rebounder and is [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ore than happy to clean up the [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']isses on his end for buckets. He can [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ake shots fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] the outside but his living is [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ade at the ri[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cayle Kelly</strong> - 6'0 - CG - Napavine - 2025 <br>Cayle is the ulti[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ate tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] player. He was a consistent threat fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] three all tourna[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ent, knocking down [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ultiple in [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ost ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']es fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] deep. He can play the point or two. He often gets the toughest defensive assign[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ent and gladly takes it. He plays hard, he's tough, and he will do what he has to do to help his tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] win. His i[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']proved play since last season is notable. He is also a leader on the floor who is always a cal[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ing prescence for his tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''], never getting raddled.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Judah Kelly</strong> - 5'9 - PG - [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']orton/WP - 2025<br>Judah runs the show fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] the point guard position. He handles it well, and had so[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e beautiful dishes to open tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''][player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ates for buckets. He is capable of getting into the lane and scoring with soft floaters. He can get hot fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] three. He plays with toughness. He has good quickness on defense. A high basketball IQ kid who loves to co[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']pete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450614' first='Jarin' last='Prather']<br>Jarin is a shooter. He had 7 three in one ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e and 4 in two others. I'[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ore i[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']pressed with the i[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']proved [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']id-range ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e and letting loose on the offensive end to score fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] all levels. His pull up ju[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']per is beco[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ing textbook and I can't like that enough. I'[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] a fan of the [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']id ga[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e. He can get hot in a hurry as he looks to i[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']prove fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] all levels. He is an i[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']proved rebounder fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] the two guard with good length as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1984489' first='Tyce' last='Peterson']<br>Tyce is a shooter with good size and strength. He can [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']uscle his way to the basket and has a soft touch on his ju[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']per. He helped his tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] in all categories. He was often forced to guard taller players in the post and he holds ground well. His shot is pretty when he spots up on the wing fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] three. He can bully hi[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']self into the lane off the dribble and score. He will get his share of buckets in Class 1A next season for [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ontesano.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']D Dau[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2099702' first='Neil' last='Su[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''][player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ers']</strong> - 6'8 - C- 2025 - Lara[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ie High School #50 - <strong>24[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']D Dau[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] </strong>-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big and skilled player in the post. He used his body to get deep into the paint and score easily with layups. He i[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']pressed [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e with his passing ability, co[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']plete with touch passes fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] the high post to the wing. That [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']eans he didn't catch the ball he volleyball style set up open shooters. Once he did get the ball close to the basket he has great footwork and uses his size advantage well to score. He is not just big, he is skilled and plays with a high basketball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Global Basketball</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Gangwish</strong> - 6'5 - F - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] strictly going off [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']y [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ory fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] last su[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''][player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']er with the first na[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']es. Feel free to correct [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e if I have it wrong. I saw hi[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] play last su[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''][player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']er at the West Coast Clash as a 15u. He [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ade [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']y all tourna[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ent tea[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] in that one. He was good in Vegas too. He is long and uses that to be a shot changer on defense and a shot [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']aker on offense. He led Global Basketball in points vs Pac Xpress. He has a nice touch fro[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']id-range and beyond. He does the da[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']age when he goes to work on the block. Good footwork. Finishing at the ri[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''] with either hand. He has grown since last year in height and as a solid post prescence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garrett Bold</strong> - 6'4 - F-2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another of [player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']y West Coast Clash 15u all tourna[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']ent last su[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''][player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']er. He has that length also and is a good athlete to go with it. He is active on the boards and in the paint. A true glue type player who can do so[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last='']e of the dirty work. He is also talented around the ri[player_tooltip player_id='2120735' first='m' last=''].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->