Team Lillard 16: 3SSB Boys Palmetto Road 2025 Champions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PH NorCal brought their best to compete in the 3SSB Tournament in Rock Hill, and Nike EYBL Session four in Augusta. We spent Thursday at the EYBL watching California Teams, then headed to Rock Hill. We covered mostly California Teams. First we write about Team Lillards impressive showing at Rock Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Lillard 16 won the 2025 3SSB Boys Palmetto Road Championship trophy on Sunday in the 16u Division. They were led by their two dynamic guards, [player_tooltip player_id='2858723' first='Jaylen' last='Smith'] a 6'1 2027 PG from Amador Valley whose stock has gone way up since the beginning of June with his outstanding play at Cali-Live a few weeks ago, and now here. His team Amador Valley won the bracket trophy there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2212735' first='NJ' last='Gray'] Jr. The 6'2 2027 do it all guard from The Branson School has a serious winning streak going right now. He helped lead Branson to the Section 7 Title, then the following week a Cali-Live Title. Smith ends the tournament as the second leading scorer in the 16u division at 24.3 per game, while dropping 28 in the championship game: 4/8 from 3pt, 8/8 FT. Gray chipped in with 18pts, 5rebs, went 9/9 FT. In the Semifinal game Gray exploded for 33pts, 5rebs, 4stls in a dazzling way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>It Takes A Team To Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Lillard 16 has a 9 man rotation, with each player contributing their strengths. Three PF/C's standing 6'9. [player_tooltip player_id='2359721' first='Teni' last='Bamisebi'] 6'9, [player_tooltip player_id='2484296' first='Brendan' last='Williams'] 6'9, a Class of 2028 prospect whose stock is sure to rise after his defensive performance this weekend, and [player_tooltip player_id='2517125' first='Gavin' last='McMillan'] a standout baseball player from Monte Vista in Danville. Whenever he hit the court he gave it his all rebound, defend he was a plus. Bam and Williams logged most of the minutes in the paint. Neither scored a lot, but made their presence felt on the defensive side of the ball. Bam had 5 rebounds, with 3 impressive blocks in the early minutes of the championship game to set the tone in the paint. Williams like Gray, the night before was active in the paint disrupting, blocking and changing shots with his length. He's still growing with a frame to fill. Williams and Bam will continue to add pieces to their overall game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Guard, Forwards, and Wings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2136800' first='Zion' last='Grissom'] 6'5, [player_tooltip player_id='2440124' first='Templeton' last='Fountaine V'] 6'4, [player_tooltip player_id='2212734' first='Heath' last='French'] 6'4: Are long, active and have good movement on the court. They were big time contributors to the team success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2136800' first='Zion' last='Grissom'] is becoming a legitimate 3pt shooting threat, he'll drop 3's on the catch from the corners, along the perimeter, or coming down in transition, when he's not running to finish at the rim. He's stronger, helping rebound, and defending multiple positions including bigger players in the post with good intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2440124' first='Templeton' last='Fountaine V']: He's been playing good basketball for a while now. He continues to sharpen his overall skill set. He has a clean jump shot from the 3-point line, he drops mid-range jumpers, and uses his dribble to get paint points. He'll challenge blockers with his sneaky hops. He's rebounding, coming out dribbling looking to make the right pass, go coast to coast, or set the offense. He might dunk or pull up for paint jumpers, and floaters if he gets in close. Consistency will be key for the rising Junior to be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2212734' first='Heath' last='French']: He continues to expand, and sharpen his versatile style of play. His good play has produced back to back bracket titles for The Branson School. Section 7, and Cali-Live. French is showing himself as a big guard who handles ball pressure, facilitate in half-court sets when called to do so. He's making good decisions, moving the ball around the court. He can attack the rim from different angles using hard dribbles and body to challenge defenders at the rim. His improved 3pt shooting makes him a threat to hit the open 3ptr. He's a rebounder, court runner, and defends multiple positions with a good level of intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2352694' first='Elijah' last='Stanley'] 6'3 Combo Guard: He played his role well operating from both guard positions, often handling ball pressure bringing the ball up court, setting the offense. His speed, and handle on offense allows him to get past defenders for off the dribble pull-up jumpers, or get into the paint for points. He's using his speed, quick hands, and good recovery to stay on ball handlers and get out on shooters. He has a DI offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->