Mid-Atlantic Cup: 14U Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A plethora of backcourt players stood out amongst the 14U bracket. Here are six:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2919985' first='Jasiah' last='Bailey'] | Bucket Lab 14U</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big guard, Bailey demonstrated two-way potential as an all-around defender and a primary ball-handler. When he was locked-in, he stifled opposing guards with deflections for steals and, if his man got a step on him, Bailey could recover and contest the shot. Then, stirring the drink on offense, he tilted the defense with craft off-the-bounce and lived in the paint. Bailey's work on the glass was notable too, which was another way for him to score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Qur'an Bell | Henry Hoops 14U </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the afternoon slate, Bell really made things happen for his 14U squad. When they needed a bucket, he would slice through the lane for a layup. When they needed a stop, he would grabbed a rebound or get a steal. In addition to his constant activity, Bell got to the foul line and hit shots late to lift his team to the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2545892' first='King' last='Cobb'] | [program_tooltip program_id='3046395' first='Delaware' last='Certified Hoopers'] 14U </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being undersized, Cobb persistently got home to the paint and finished. Jumping off of two feet when he got near the basket allowed him maintain his balance in the air as he absorbed contact and shielded the ball from would-be shot-blockers. It also enabled him to use touch off the glass. The savvy guard always kept his head up too, so when he didn't have an angle to score, he could find one of his forwards in the dunker spot or hit a cutter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3565125' first='Charles' last='Gibbs'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2458562' first='HC' last='United'] 14U </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbs had his fingerprints all over his team's victory as he led them on both ends. Everything flowed from his high feel. After pulling down defensive rebounds, he used exceptional floor vision and touch as he accurately launched the ball down the court, hitting teammates in stride for layups. On top of his Lonzo Ball-like passes, Gibbs got to the rim on his own, whether he went coast-to-coast or slashed in the halfcourt. Even when someone missed the layup (messing up his assist), Gibbs was right there to put the ball back up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Turner | Vito Genesis </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a balanced team win Saturday morning, Turner shouldered the load in the 14U championship game. He got where he wanted and the shots he wanted inside the arc. Defenders struggled to stay in front of him due to his combination of strength and burst off-the-dribble. Turner even back someone down from the mid-range down into the post before laying the up. But regardless of how he got there, he always brought the fight to them with his physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3565581' first='Eladio' last='Williams'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2458562' first='HC' last='United'] 14U </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If nothing else, Williams played with a battery in his back. He crashed the boards incredibly well for a guard, leaping over and ripping the ball away from other who went after the ball. And when he wasn't scoring off of the glass, he did so with his off-ball movement. Williams knifed through the defense's weak spots as a cutter and attacked off-the-catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->