252 Summer Finale: 17U Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The 252 Summer Finale hosted by 252Mixtapes and Hoopfarm Mixtapes took place for the third year this past weekend at Rocky Mount Event Center. Take a look at Part 1 of the standouts from the 17U division as the grassroots season wraps up.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: JAYANDERSON30, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe">TODAY</a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2043203"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2508632,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a85bb0d7c0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dempsey was impressive for [program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] as he propelled them to the 17U Gold Championship with his ability to score in isolation and off the catch with relative ease. He showed he's prime for a rankings bump as he heads into his senior year at Bertie High given his ability to score no matter who's in front of him. He led the way for Trezz in their upset bid of the [program_tooltip program_id='2370554' first='Carolina' last='Rockets'] with his 22-point performance to close out the final. He's an emerging DII/JUCO prospect for college programs to start tracking heading into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105003"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2508638,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a85bb0d7c75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gibson showed he could take command with games for the [program_tooltip program_id='2370554' first='Carolina' last='Rockets'] as he led the way for them at the point guard spot. He knocked down shots off the perimeter, was a pest on defense and showed he could get to the paint and make things happen as a playmaker as well. He led the way in their sudden death overtime victory against ZeroExcuses with 27 points, as he took over in a 72-70 victory. He's another highly-ranked prospect in the 2025 rankings for DII and DIII programs in the region to take a look at over at Winston-Salem Christian School with their Regional squad. As he shows he can get others involved consistently, he's a lead guard with a bright future ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1900239"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2508646,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a85bb0d7cc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caldwell made his presence felt at the 252 Summer Finale. He was unstoppable in the painted area and opened the day for [program_tooltip program_id='2370554' first='Carolina' last='Rockets'] with an impressive 35-point outing as he was all over the rim and in the scoring column for his squad against NC Legends. He opened Day 2 with a 38-point outing as he all over the rim once again and unstoppable with his mobility and strength. He followed that up with a 12-point performance in the paint including the game-winning layup to win the game for the Rockets in sudden death overtime against ZeroXcuses in the semifinals. He's a massive presence in the paint who showed off his ability to command the ball, finish with authority and defend with presence. He didn't show any signs of slowing down despite playing up in the 17U ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1280878"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a85bb0d7d04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKoy was another top prospect who took the stage at the 252 Summer Finale as he made a return with [program_tooltip program_id='2370554' first='Carolina' last='Rockets'] alongside Dashaun McKoy. He showed off his ability to defend multiple roles on the floor and had a number of impressive blocks along with his ability to score in bunches when needed. He had 22 points in their opening game, 15 points after that, 20 to open Day 2, 14 in the semifinal and 17 points in the championship to show off his consistency scoring the ball. He didn't force things when opportunity came and showed off his versatility as the Rockets made it to the Gold Championship. It's easy to see why he's a high-major prospect in the making after this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a85bb0d7d43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freeman was impressive at the 252 Summer Finale alongside a number of top 2025 prospects with the NC Intruders, as they had just five players on their roster. They survived the odds, literally speaking, in their quest to the 17U Silver Championship. He took home MVP honors with 26 points in the championship and was even more impressive with 33 points in their semifinal comeback, which saw them trail 26-0 early in the second half, before coming back and winning 77-67 against the Carolina Aces. He's a lead guard who's shown he can make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. His ability to score the ball in a variety of ways while also defending the entire court is hard to find among modern-day guards. He's a DII prospect for programs in the region to get eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1220122"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2508659,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a85bb0d7d8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen was impressive as ever in the two-headed backcourt of himself and [player_tooltip player_id='1220121' first='Zeus' last='Batts'] with [program_tooltip program_id='2078552' first='WBC' last='Elite'] Aria Paris. He was impressive on Day 1 as he went off in comeback fashion against Mask Up Elite scoring the final five points to secure a victory. He's a scrappy lead guard who DI and DII programs need to take a hard look at given his pedigree on the floor. He's shown he can get after defensively and go off in a hurry with his prowess scoring the basketball. His ability to get others involved and defend both guard roles are a nice blend to watch on the hardwood and certainly something that could be utilized at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->