The Last Dance: Teddy’s New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's some new names I watched who caught my attention for the first time last weekend in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Loftus - [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] 16U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loftus was a big-time scorer for [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] 2025 when I watched them. The offense revolved heavily around his style of play. Offensively, he displayed so much confidence attacking the rim and scored inside countless times. Defensively, he was reading passes and creating fast break opportunities on the other end. Scored 20 point in the contest. With his 6'3" build, he's more than capable of making an impact at a small college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2890389' first='Khymir' last='Carson'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2076253' first='Team' last='Illinois'] 15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was so impressed with his consistently, slithery ball handling abilities. Against ECI, he was a massive factor offensively. Accumulating flashy assists to go along with a string of buckets. He really pushed them over the top and played with so much confidence. Carson's the guy who made everyone around him better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian Ronken - Gateway Knights 15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He doesn't have the best size for a forward, but he's got a high IQ and so much strength in his game. He took advantage of that against New Mexico D1. Powering his way to the hoop and unfazed by taller, more athletic defenders. I was also intrigued by his ability to drive the lane and create separation with his feet. Ronken had a big time scoring performance as Gateway blew out D1 New Mexico.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1548328' first='Chandler' last='Mueller'] - IL Bears 16U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crafty three-level soccer was the catalyst to leading [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] to a 4-0 weekend. When I watched him, he was absolutely lethal. Burying six threes and showing off a smooth, consistent shooting stroke in addition to that. Outside of that, he showed plenty of consistency with his pull-up game this weekend. He knows how to create his own shot while moving his feet well with the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Myles Ellis - Vikings United 15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In two games, I was so intrigued by the potential of Myles Ellis. He's capable of scoring the ball in so many ways. There wasn't a player I watched with a more consistent floater than Ellis. As a smaller point guard, he displayed sensational ball-handling abilities to break off defenders and score from both the mid-range and beyond the arc. More importantly, He's got so much speed up the floor and can blow by you in a heartbeat. Add his nice layup package, you have a very dangerous prospect to watch going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561889' first='Amare' last='Hereford'] - Midwest Tar Heels 15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hereford was a big difference maker against Nebraska's Team Factory Saturday morning. From Beloit, WI, Hereford provided so much energy to this game. I really like his speed, as he seemed almost unstoppable in transition. He can blow by you and make you pay for it too. Finished this game with 19 points and dropped plenty of dimes too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->