Championship Scouting: 16U Title Game Panthers vs Storm

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The title game for 16U came down to a pair of Texas teams. With the Lubbock Panthers hailing from West Texas squaring off against the DFW area PG1 Storm. The Panthers pulled ahead to a comfortable lead, then had to survive a spirited comeback to come away champs of the 16U Division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Title Game MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3544754"],"_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-6a1ccbf1c45ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Floor general who made the big plays to secure the victory. Quick and with outstanding handles. Utilizes a floater well to score against taller foes. Saw glimpses of his ability to facilitate out of the pick and roll. Is hard-nosed and an instigator on defense. Fought through a screen to draw a foul and quick hands to be disruptive when covering on the ball. Can fall in love with his dribble a bit too much at times. But considering a couple of those instances ended with him drilling big time threes in the second half maybe it's best to let him cook.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Impact Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3639450' first='Draven' last='Carrejo'], 6'6 2028, Lamesa </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hard hat style forward, who elevates well and is physical when grabbing rebounds. Played with a good motor, which is impressive as it was the final game of the weekend. There's always room at the next level for grinders, who give it all around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3537374' first='Jayden' last='Jamal Vaughn'], 6'6 2029, Lubbock Monterey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Impressive physicality and battling around the rim for a youngster. Had an emphatic "And 1" down the stretch in the second half. Looked mobile when rolling to the rim and running the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2548157' first='Carlos' last='Koontz'], 5'7 2028, Lubbock Monterey </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koontz was scoring the ball so well that he earned specialized coverage from the defense. Has a quick first step, setting up drives to the rim or the ability to be a monster in the mid-range. Makes for a great one-two punch with Wiggins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG1 Storm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2869595' first='Paxton' last='Goodyk'], 6'4 2028, Keller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodyk is 6 foot 4 with an even longer wingspan. Still gangly at times but has range from deep. He ended up hitting multiple threes in the title contest. Keep an eye on him as he grows into his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2869215' first='Joseph' last='Ericson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2557630' first='6'0' last=''] 2028, Keller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strongly built lead guard with long arms. Had a crucial "gimme that" steal and score on the opposing lead ball handler late in the second half. Physical nature and athleticism could make him a lead guard to watch in Texas' Class of 2029. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>William [player_tooltip player_id='3523789' first='Brody' last='Zimmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2557300' first='5'10' last=''] 2028, Keller </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hit one of the biggest and toughest shots of the game. With his Storm team down 4 in the final minute he drilled a contested 22+ footer to nearly create a miracle comeback. The lefty also did some damage in the mid-range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->