AZ Hoop JAMboree 8th Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend I attended the inaugural&nbsp;<strong>AZ Hoops JAMboree</strong>&nbsp;presented by&nbsp;<em>Marcel Reece</em>&nbsp;at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa. There were two brackets of 16 each with 32 total teams. I watched 24 teams and here was my rundown of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8th Team</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639654' first='Kaden' last='Adams'] Higley&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the true specialists of the freshman class will catch and shoot from the three point line better than most in the class. He comes off of screens or he will move without the ball and get to an open spot and fire away. He will be vital in the teams long term success for the AIA season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2878044' first='Novar' last='Byrd'] Red Mountain&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long power forward is very fluid from end to end. He sets strong picks and will score with offensive rebound put backs and he is super efficient near the basket with rolls out of the pick and cuts off the ball. He makes his money on defense with rebounds and blocking or altering shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1893708' first='Prince' last='Cash'] Carl Hayden&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong wing forward who is getting more and more comfortable shooting the ball from the perimeter. He loves the mid-range jumper, which is quickly turning into his sweet spot. He will still get downhill and score thru the contact with his stronger frame and positional size.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1736172' first='Keegan' last='Colter'] Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong scoring combo guard can play on or off the ball. He will score thru the contact with and-1's in the lane thru using his physical frame and sneaky burst of speed. He will hit the three off the catch and rise up from mid-range.&nbsp;He is also a good on-ball defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2295695' first='Matt' last='Crowder'] Casteel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-way scoring guard with some size and length. He makes it difficult to score on him with his athleticism and quicker feet and hands. He can get to the basket, hit the three but loves pulling up from mid-range. He will be needed to produce for them to go deep in the playoffs.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2432281' first='Preston' last='Friend'] Highland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled combo guard can play on or off the ball. He got moved up from junior varsity and he is one of their better shooters in the program. He is a little undersized but shoots the ball at a high level and he is sneaky quick to the basket. He will possibly get more playing time next year too.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2640544' first='King' last='Kalikilwa'] West Point</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very quick scoring combo guard is playing a little more on the ball for the West Valley team. He will score with downhill drives and elusive takes to the rim. He loves getting downhill into traffic but will also cut off the ball to the basket to score. He also defends multiple positions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2552787' first='Landen' last='Martineau'] Casteel&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pure point guard with a tight handle and good upper body strength. He is a big time live dribble passer and can thread the needle. He will score with mid-range pull-ups, threes and quick drives with his tighter handle.&nbsp;It will be his show next year when Myles graduates. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2506518' first='Azariah' last='Reetz'] Carl Hayden&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented freshman has already been inserted into the starting five for the Falcons. He scores with hook shots, dunks, slips off of the pick and roll game and he is very effective around the rim. He rebounds well and will alter or block shots.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257790' first='Nicholas' last='Topolosek'] Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sharp shooting combo guard is strong and tough. He can be a sniper from mid with high elevation and the three point line. He uses his strength and handle to get downhill to score or to get fouled. When he is rolling, the Lions are a tough team to defend.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2771102' first='Seth' last='Nyagaka'] <strong>Williams Field (Pictured)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and wiry wing forward who will defend multiple positions. He is very fluid in space and he can defend bigger players with his length. He scores it with dunks on the break and takes unusually long strides to the get to the basket or he will get fouled.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2320420' first='Blake' last='Roberts'] Basha&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled and strong power forward. He has a little size but his toughness keeps him on the court. The forward keeps plays alive on the glass and he has a nice hook shot with some advanced footwork in the post. He will play a lot of minutes in the first 9 games when Lazor has to sit. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->