Grit Region Finals: 16U All Tournament Teams

The Grit Region Finals commenced on the far North Shore of Chicago this past weekend. While it was highly competitive field. Featuring plenty of back and forth games with thrilling finishes. The champions out Wisconsin, Power 5. Showed their shoe circuit mettle and dominated all weekend. To the victors go the spoils. As they place two players on the first team. Below are the first and second teams.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Team </h2>   PG- [player_tooltip player_id='2822689' first='Nate' last='Munson'] 6-0 Lockport (IL) [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics']-Hill advanced all the way to the finals and gave this scout a tough decisions. Led by their backcourt, do I go with the dynamic floor general or the scoring two guard? As you can see, I went with the first option. Munson doesn't pass the eye test with his stocky build. However he has plenty of speed to make up for any physical limitations. Also is highly competitive and is a downhill aggressive driver. Competes hard on the defensive end as well.   SG-Jonathan Morgan 6-2 Jackson Lumen Christ (MI) Morgan was a scoring machine for The Academy. A five man Michigan team that made a thrilling run all the way to the semifinals. Morgan seemingly had a nose for the basket. Would not call him a three point marksmen or a mid range maestro. Just knows how to get the ball in the basket. Excelled in transition. Really cooked on a 10-0 run against [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] in a come from behind quarterfinal victory. After having to sit out due to transfer, should be ready for a big junior season at Lumen Christi.   SF- [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] 6-4 Wauwatosa West (WI) Arguably the player in the field with the highest national reputation. More importantly— played like it. Simply put, how an elite prospect is supposed to look. Moved and glided around the court at a different speed. Played with excellent pace though, and never seemed in a hurry. Showed smooth and easy elevation. Rising above defenders many times in the mid range. Accordingly, put together a highlight of above the rim finishes. While a wing long term. I was taken with his ball handling and playmaking abilities as well. If he is done growing, could possibly develop into a big point guard. Up there with the top overall 2027 prospects I have seen this spring.   PF- Roman Combs 6-5 Cooper (KY) A “bluegrass bully”, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. The Northern Kentucky Legends advanced all the semifinals with a balanced perimeter attack. However Combs was big on the block all weekend. Did it with a strong hyper athletic frame. Battled against bigger players with a thick upper body and competitive streak. Excelled in transition and played easily above the rim.   C- [player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'] 6-9 [program_tooltip program_id='2829078' first='West' last='De Pere'] (WI) Like his teammate Brown, played how a elite shoe circuit prospect is supposed to play. Had a few lackadaisical dunk attempts in transition, but that's picking nits a bit. Other than that, went HARD in many games that were out of reach early. I was impressed with how quickly and easily he established deep post position. Didn't mess around out on the perimeter. Pinned defenders deep and demanded the ball early and often. Showed well schooled footwork and an extremely soft touch around the basket.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Second Team </h2>   PG- Yomar Castellano 5-6 Fairport Harbor (OH) Diminutive Ohio point guard had an outstanding weekend for Grassroots Elite. Really did it all. Balanced scoring and playmaking responsibilities like a seasoned veteran. Shot the ball extremely well from beyond the arc.   SG- [player_tooltip player_id='2749990' first='Zane' last='Schneider'] 6-4 Lemont (IL) Schneider had a hot hand all weekend for a final apppearing [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] Hill squad. Toughest cut from the first team (see above) Like his backcourt teammate Munson, doesn't necessarily pass the perimeter wing eye test. When the ball tips though, the scoring chops become evident. Has the size to shoot over most defenders. With the physicality to back them down into the paint when needed.   SF- [player_tooltip player_id='2412856' first='Theo' last='Toepel'] 6-4 Arrowhead (WI) Toepel gets the nod for his clutch play in a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2563276' first='Jay' last='Academy']. At 6-4 is most likely a wing barring a late growth spurt. However in the aforementioned game against JA. Took over from the high post. Was assertive and aggressive on both ends the court. Was a good passer when defenses began to key in on him. Put up 18 points in that contest.   PF- Dallas Higelmire 6-5 Springport (MI) Jackson area jumping Jack had a huge weekend for The Academy. With only five players was essentially on his own down on the block all weekend. Impressive how he held up, as the post in probably not his long term or even current position. Is probably a 3/4 prospect at the next level. Showed a smooth and easy release from beyond the arc. Caught lobs all weekend and might have had the best bounce of anyone in the event.   C- [player_tooltip player_id='2467723' first='Mohammad' last='Farhan'] 6-5 Amos [player_tooltip player_id='2381692' first='Alonzo' last=''] Stagg (IL) Fitting this player hails from a school named after famous old school football coach. Farhan is a physical post with an old school hard hat mentality. Makes up for less than ideal size with quick elevation. Has a soft touch around the basket that belies his frame.

The Grit Region Finals commenced on the far North Shore of Chicago this past weekend. While it was highly competitive field. Featuring plenty of back and forth games with thrilling finishes. The champions out Wisconsin, Power 5. Showed their shoe circuit mettle and dominated all weekend. To the victors go the spoils. As they place two players on the first team. Below are the first and second teams.