Summer Challenge: Sunday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The summer AAU season kicked out in a big way with a deep and talented field at the Chicago Summer Challenge. Following are some of my observations from Sunday's action. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The well is not dry in Coldwater</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I apologize for the heading. It was just a bad pun I could not resist. The school on the Michigan/Indiana border has graduated an impressive run of talent in the last few years. Team Hustle went 3-1 on the weekend and featuring two Cardinals from the 2025 class with bright futures. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587737' first='Ayden' last='Dirschell'] </strong>is a stocky 6-2 forward who played much bugger than his listed height. Excelled in pick and roll situations and was a factor on the offensive glass. He will be a guard long term and the skill set is definitely there. However I was impressed with how operated on the blocks during Sunday mooring action While Dirshell's was banging down low. [player_tooltip player_id='1587852' first='Nicholas' last='Downs'] (pictured) was raining threes from the perimeter. As Hustle's last game was getting tight at the end. Downs a 6-0 guard banged three in row from deep. Downs was also a good ball handler and driver. Looks like he might have the ability to swing between both guard positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Zion-Benton has a nice 2025 trio </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>R'Moni Beals </strong>had an outstanding 22 point clutch performance Saturday night for [program_tooltip program_id='2078838' first='World' last='Hoops Elite']. On Sunday two other prospects from <strong>Admiral Schofield-</strong>high showed that Beals will not be alone with the Fighting Zee Bees (what a great mascot) Beals will have a good backcourt partner in <strong>Jayden Young-Delk.</strong> Young-Delk is a little taller (6-2) than Beals. However just as explosive in attacking the basket. A little more weight and refinement to his game could see his profile really take off. <strong>Kurtis Main</strong> is a stocky 6-4 post. While he was forced down low due WHE's size. He had excellent ball skills along with the ability to stretch the floor. Hit a few threes and was a good driver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">24 Up has some 26 talent </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another bad pun I had been waiting all spring to use. All joking aside I was very impressed with the UA Rise group from this Wisconsin club. It began on the blocks with Brookfield Central post <strong>Henry Greutzmacher</strong>. The 6-6 prospect has a very projectable frame for the post. With the corresponding skill set. Has long arms and broad shoulders with the ability to add more weight if needed. Showed a soft left handed touch around the basket. While also having a smooth release on range that extended beyond the free throw line. A lot of potential in the 2026 prospect. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setting up many of those post looks was point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2500045' first='Tommy' last='Novotny'].</strong> Although only 5-10. Nothing about his frame says underclassmen. Built like a fullback. I don't mean this in a bad way. Played like one too. Drove hard to the basket and bounced off defenders. However played under control and was able to find open teammates off of penetration. Plenty of speed a change of direction as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->