Battle of the Borders: Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few kids who had solid performances over the course of the Battle of the Borders back on May 11-12. These players filled their roles well and showed the ability to contribute to winning basketball. Take a look at some hidden gems from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2428983' first='Wesley' last='Armstrong'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2076260' first='FOH' last=''] EYCL 15U | 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Armstrong did most of his work around the painted area, showing good patience to work for openings inside and playing physical hoop on both ends. While he was mostly an inside presence, he also showed the ability to grab a rebound and push the ball, step out and hit some 3s, and looks to be a pretty athletic kid who should be one to track this winter with Mt. Rainier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021600' first='Jaden' last='Marlow'] | Seattle Select UA 16U | 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marlow plays a big role for his high school team and with Seattle Select he's a kid who will grind it out on the defensive end and knock down open shots. He's strong with the ball, hit several shots from outside, both from behind the arc and in the midrange. He has the versatility to rebound, push the ball, and guard multiple positions. He gave them solid minutes and was a key guy playing off some of their playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2457266' first='Bennett' last='Heldman']</strong> | Seattle Select HA 16U | 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heldman is a long wing who showed a really nice stroke for Seattle Select. He was stroking in 3s against [program_tooltip program_id='2451463' first='NW' last='Drip'], drilling shots off the catch, using that length to shoot over the top of closeouts. He showed off some ability to create off the bounce, hitting some nice step-backs from 3 and working in the midrange to create space and sink shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1978874' first='Darek' last='Usitalo'] | Team 360 Hoops 17U | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Usitalo is a nice wing prospect who showed how he can play effectively out of different areas. He stepped out to knock down corner 3s, ran the floor for some big dunks, and played out of the pick and pop to sink some midrange shots. At 6-foot-6 he can contribute on the glass and has the handle to make some plays in transition and off of drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021603' first='Jake' last='Sprangers'] | Seattle Select UA 16U | 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sprangers had a really nice weekend with Seattle Select. He's a big kid who shoots it well from the outside, but also showed how that big frame can generate good looks in and around the paint. He made good decisions with the ball, knew when to attack and when to keep the ball moving, and was really effective driving into those short-range areas. He's 6-foot-5 and played big on the glass too, showing a lot of strength in his play from different areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->