Run N Slam: Friday Night Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Run N Slam, the historic and premier grassroots event in the Midwest tipped off on Friday evening. I spent the evening in the “second” gym. Following are a five standouts from the opening night of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2757574' first='Emmanuel' last='Cooley'] 5-11 2028 Grand Blanc </strong>The [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] 16U squad got off to a slow start on Friday night… except for the Flint area point guard. I'm not sure I've seen a more “reckless” penetrator this spring. The quotes and adjective are intentional. I mean reckless in a completely positive manner. Cooley explodes to the rim on penetration. Often charging hard into the chest of the rim protector. You could probably draw some charges as a defender. However, that would take quick thinking and more importantly a healthy dose of courage. The aggressiveness is evident on both ends of the court. Gets after it defensively with quick hands and good instincts. Good shooter, but consistency there will be the final step in his development. Everything else is there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140533' first='Tony' last='Holliday Jr'] 6-4 2027 Redford Thurston </strong>(<strong>pictured</strong>) Perhaps the most impressive victory I saw on the night was the [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers'] come from behind victory over a strong Breakaway Gold unit out of Chicago. Holiday is a rangy wing who operated well in the mid range. Played at his own pace and took what the defense gave him. Good footwork and was able to pivot out of trouble and into scoring position. Used a good handle to get to his spots in the mid range. Once there easily rose above defenders with his length. Showed the bounce to finish above the rim. Finished with team high 20 points in the victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2746379' first='Kooper' last='Richards'] 5-9 2027 Grosse Pointe South </strong>Small point guard loaded with winning intangibles. While Holliday (see above) led the Playmakers in scoring. Richards was the floor general who led the way. Really stood out on the defensive end. Finished with six steals in the contest. However the numbers only tell a partial story. Adjusted quickly when he realized his opponent was lights out shooter. Ran him off the line and fought over screens that sought to get him open. Offensively played well in two man situations and found roll men with clever passing. Looked for own shot when needed and finished with 13 points. Not surprisingly, he wanted the ball in his hands late. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2746267' first='Landon' last='Kurncz'] 6-2 2027 Dewitt </strong>Part of red hot School Days backcourt that was cooled off a bit by a Zero Fears Club out of Chicago. Shot the ball well from beyond the arc. Quick release and he doesn't need much room to get it off. Good off ball movement and relocated when the first option was taken away. Fundamentally sound defender who gets in the right spots. High academic prospect who also excels on Dewitt's gridiron state championship team. Should have options at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539727' first='Elijiah' last='Hines'] 6-2 2028 Orchard Lake St Mary's </strong>Speedy and lengthy guard came alive late in the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] aforementioned come behind victory. Stood out on the defensive end. A late steal and take for two was key. Very skinny and will need to add weight to his frame to the take the next step in his development. Both older brothers were late bloomers physically, so that is not surprising or concerning. Is in an excellent developmental program at St Mary's. After one “downish” year the Eaglets should be back in Catholic league contention next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->