Summer Challenge: Teddy’s Sunday Notebook (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404027' first='Drew' last='King'] is a Difference Maker for 17U Lockdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I opened the morning with [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] facing AUSA Hoops Zac. The game was filled with plenty of defense to start. But it was the interior presence of [player_tooltip player_id='1404027' first='Drew' last='King'] that made the difference early. He scored their first six points and was a big factor on both ends. Showed off terrific footwork in the post and decent upper-body strength to push past defenders and score inside. He also made great movements  around the paint by separating himself from a defender for an easy bucket and blocking off driving lanes defensively. Once he subbed out, AUSA went on a run to eventually take the lead. But that would soon go away again once King re-entered. He continued make plays in the paint with had a standing dunk, second chance opportunities, and difficult shot contests. In the second half, he stopped another AUSA run with two straight alley-oop slams, while forcing a turnover in the paint. To hold the lead, I watched two other prospects step up and have big games. [player_tooltip player_id='1598649' first='Alejandro' last='Diaz'] is a high-volume shooter who hit shots from all three levels in the contest. He hit a pair of outside shots late in the game to push the lead to double figures while displaying excellent vision on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1598687' first='Deshawn' last='Nolan'] is a crafty ball handler with an explosive first step. He showed no fear attacking the basket and knew where everyone was around him. Making big time assists throughout the game. A baseline assist to a cutting [player_tooltip player_id='1404027' first='Drew' last='King'] sealed the deal, as King slammed it home with two hands. [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] won 59-46.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1379225' first='Jakye' last='Rainey'] Makes it Rain</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a guy who truly lives up to to his last name. Before their final game of the week, Rainey was on fire from deep. He knocked down six 3-pointers against Greater Purpose and eight against All-In. To start this matchup, he scored Corey Graham's first seven points and hit another three pointer. Afterword, he became a lot more involved defensively and in the playmaking category. He was the first one to almost every loose ball on the floor. This happened at least three times in the opening half. But what's even more impressive is his ability to burst past other players after picking up the ball. Showing plenty of explosiveness and creating 5-on-4 chances offensively. In the second half, The Process went on a big run and stormed back to take the lead, but that didn't faze Rainey. He hit two contested threes while also picking up a block on the defensive end. He immediately turned that block into a fast break score with an outstanding burst capitalized by a euro-step finish. After another run from The Process, Rainey immediately followed with three straight triples and led CGE on an 11-2 run. He hit his eighth triple of the contest following a chase-down block. Finished with 33 points in a 3OT Loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AUSA Hoops is Back!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Australian-Based AUSA hoops is back for the summer competing on the Prep Hoops Circuit. I watched my first glimpse of the Aussies in action when Team Zac faced [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] early Sunday. On that team, 6'4” SG Josh Campbell is a standout name to watch. He's a lengthy prospect who made a big impact on both ends. He tipped lots of passes defensively and turned that into offense in a variety of ways. Really smooth floater game and converted several throughout that contest. In the afternoon, I watched their 17U Ed Team against Greater Purpose. The size, skill, and athleticism on display for this team was outstanding. I was a big fan of 6'10” PF Liam Switzer Early on. He had a great feel for the game around him and showed he can get it done as a passer and scorer inside. 6'4” PG Benajmin Tweedy dropped all the dimes early on too. He has great speed in the open floor and brings tremendous length for a player at his position. He continued to show plenty of craftiness in the second half while also getting some more shots to fall. 6'4” SG Bailey Thom is exceptionally strong. He also moves the ball well and hit some tough buckets inside. I could go on and on about the prospects this AUSA team has. Because they have a TON of high-end players who can make an impact on many collegiate teams in the US. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 2025 Gold Gets Another Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] only allowed three points in the game's opening minutes. Much of that was thanks to 2026 Big Man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack']. He showed off terrific footwork on defense to cut off passing lanes. His lengthy build also made it hard for opponents to shoot over him. Almost nobody scored over him for the first portion of this game. Offensively, guards Samuel Hirch and [player_tooltip player_id='2105287' first='Braylon' last='Gray'] controlled the tempo. Gray made all the right passes and picked up plenty of assists in the opening half. Lots of those plays were made to Hirch, who scored 11 points in the opening half. He hit another three to open the second half as a handful of other players got in on the action. [player_tooltip player_id='1564889' first='Aidan' last='Bardic'] had an excellent reverse layup driving baseline that extended [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']'s lead to 15. [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] held on to beat Big3 Hudson 59-37 as Samuel Hirch led the way with 17 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->