16u Gold Championship Recap: 3rd Coast Bucks vs Team Phoenix

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a pleasure watching and evaluating the South Finals in Texas this weekend and the 16u division showcased some well coached teams, dynamic hoopers, and highly competitive games from start to finish. Surviving and advancing to the championship game were the 3rd Coast Bucks squaring off against the loaded Team Phoenix P32 squad. It would turn out to be a tale of two halves as the 3rd Coast Bucks would prevail in the end and take home the championship honors and rings! Let's check out some of the players that shined in the championship game...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2557657"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a147e4e911a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2557657' first='MJ' last='Boyd'] was arguably the best the player in the entire event regardless of division. During the championship game he clearly showed how and why! During the 1st half he faced double teams, traps, and a defensive scheme that was deliberately set in place by the Team Phoenix coaching staff and players. Boyd calmly continued to make the right play and defer to open teammates. As his team trailed at halftime, Boyd flipped the switch and went into takeover mode as he destroyed whatever defender or scheme was in front of him. From tough take and finishes at the rim to nailing perimeter shots Boyd simply was that "DUDE". What most impresses me about his game is that he is even keel throughout and doesn't get in his feelings when possessions don't go his way. A truly gifted hooper that will definitely be one of the coveted college prospects as he continues to build upon his trajectory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2854598"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a147e4e91254"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kole captured my attention early on at the South Finals and his stellar play continued in the championship game. A true floor general, Kole is a chest and eyes up ball handler with legit burst with the ball in his hands. In the championship game he continued to do what he does: apply pressure defensively, finish at the rim, make 3-point shots when taken, and run his team. Although his team came up short in the finale, Dortch had nothing to hang his head about. His effort and relentlessness were definitely evident in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3650801,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kayden Okilla","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"3rd Coast Bucks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a147e4e9136a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kayden was a big reason why the 3rd Coast Bucks went undefeated on the weekend and also came up huge in the championship game. Kayden reached double digits in the finale, but it was truly his play in the 1st half that allowed his team to stay within striking distance in the 2nd half. Kayden has a soft touch on his pull ups and middy game. He is comfortable playing off the ball and operating from the elbow/high point spots and simply just hoops and takes what the defense gives him. Crafty, around the rim, Okilla had some nice finishes and moments throughout the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2269814"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a147e4e914bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aiden was one of the most consistent players throughout the weekend and he carried that same energy into the championship game. Spurrier has a polished and disciplined tool set. He plays fundamentally sound and is extremely productive catching and attacking in the half court. Truly one of the best shooters in his class, Aiden knocks down shots and came in hot in the championship game drilling multiple 3's versus the 3rd coast Bucks. He did everything in his control to win the game but fell just short. Spurrier definitely improved his stock at the South Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3650817,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Siddanth Kakani","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"3rd Coast Bucks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a147e4e91441"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Siddanth came out super aggressive in the championship game as he looked to take advantage of the defensive scheme set in place by Team Phoenix. Siddanth is a calculated scorer that will put up shots in a hurry when given any air-space. Always in motion, Kakani loves to catch on the move and get to the rack. He uses his energy well on the defensive end to help ignite deflections and turnovers. Kakani was the low-key production that helped propel his 3rd Coast Bucks team to the championship victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2404842"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1483603e129"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">BJ was on a mission all weekend and his stock is well on the rise! He came out ultra-aggressive in the 1st half of the championship game. Making his mark as he got to the paint and rim with authority. You could sense that he wanted this top-level matchup and was locked in and ready to prove a point. Beyond his athleticism, Baker proved that he is a super competitor and refuses to back down to anyone. Salute to him for playing the right way and having a great weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->