Storm Classic: 17U Saturday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always one of the premier Midwest AAU events. The Storm Classic held outside of Grand Rapids produced its usual deep and talented field. Due to some familial commitments and an uncommon length in distance between the two main gyms. I was really only to catch action in the 17U division. Following are some notes from standouts that caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217992' first='Andrew' last='Caldwell'] 6-3 Flint Powers Catholic </strong>One of the better pure “scorers” you will see. I use the quotes intentionally. I'll get the negative out of the way. Has some tweener traits. Not a point guard, and might not have ideal size to play the wing. However, as long as the goal of the game is to put that orange spherical object in the basket— this is your guy. Is true three level scorer. Is a good three point shooter. However really excels on penetration. Has a nice floater in the mid range. Along with full bag of tricks for finishing at the rim. Replete with creative euro steps and step through moves that avoid contact. Interested to see how his senior year statistics look as the Chargers graduate a ton of production. Looked more than ready to go in Grand Rapids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2898784' first='Brennan' last='Elling'] 6-6 Oxford </strong>While Caldwell was attacking from the wing. Elling showed the skillset of a prototype small college stretch four. Not an overwhelming athlete, but has strong and athletic frame. Did not mind contact down low. Really excelled when popping out to the wing. Had a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. Might need to speed up the release a little as he will probably be the focus of defenses this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588212' first='Brandon' last='Mercer II'] 5-9 Holt </strong>The scouting report hasn't changed much over the years. However the top flight production continues to impress. Isn't very big, but is a gamer who isn't scared of anything. Plays with some wiggle and extreme change of direction ability. Can score but also plays well as a distributor in pick and roll situations. Very tight handle and hard to turnover due to his low center of gravity. Showed his competitiveness and clutch gene with a game winning three pointer on Saturday night over Indiana Game Gold. This capped over a 20 point comeback. Has every skill and intangible necessary to make up for his diminutive stature. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218161' first='Dylan' last='Gross'] 5-9 Rockford </strong>Speaking of clutch diminutive guards. Gross hit a dagger three after dagger three in a marathon overtime contests against Team Hustle. The shooting statistics are eye opening and help make up for his lack of ideal size. Is more than just a shooter. Is an efficient floor general who gets his teams into their sets quickly. Seems to get lost in the shuffle of the Rams deep rotation at times. Showed this weekend that he can handle more of a singular scoring load.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588232' first='Xavier' last='Pendergrass'] 6-7 Lansing Waverly (pictured) </strong>Prospect who is growing and developing by literal leaps and bounds. Last year at Puma event the skill was evident, but had a ways to go physically. Now he has shed about 40 pounds from his frame and is an explosive but still well built post. Showed this off by catching and finishing multiple lobs. Runs the court well and has good lateral quickness. Has good hands evidenced by his finishing around the rim. Bigs always develop later than guards and wings. If Pendergrass can continue improving through his senior year, he might be surprised where he could end up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2369325' first='Marvin' last='Moore'] 6-0 Muskegon Reeth-Puffer </strong>Similar to Pendergrass, what a difference a year can make. Moore looked like a different and more assertive playmaker this weekend with the West Michigan Laker NY2LA squad. Drove the basket with strength and showed the ability to finish through contact. Was much more than just a one trick athlete. Could also hang in the air to avoid contact from unique finishing positions. Also showed diversity in his offensive attack. As he was just as good of a drop off passer as he was as a finisher. Was a clutch performer who improved as the weekend continued. Leading his shorthanded squad to a big Sunday win with a 26 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->