We've Got Next: Rising up the Charts 12u

These players were the "cream of the crop" for the 12u class!   Ky'Aire White 5-1 - 2032 - North Mont Middle School - Team Flyght Future 12u (Pictured)   Ky'Aire is an exceptional point guard who finds ways to create for himself or others. He's a great ball handler who easily attacks opposing defenses and makes plays. Whether it was getting to the basket, knocking down mid-range jumpers or extending his range beyond the three-point line, Ky'Aire was a tough cover for Kentucky Future Elite 2032 defenders. He's a great facilitator. The majority of his assists were on point. His play-making skills led to positive outcomes for the Team Flyght Future 12u squad. Ky'Aire was great at pushing the pace. Especially when there were opportunities to score in transition. He always kept opposing players on their heels. Defensively, his on-ball pressure forced multiple turnovers that led to easy fast-break scores for the team. Ky'Aire is a great young guard! I look forward to seeing how much his skills progress in the coming years.   Amari Martin 5-7 - 2031 - Weisenborn Junior High - Team Flyght Future 12u   A good all around player who does everything on the basketball court. Amari showed great scoring prowess by making shots from all areas of the floor. When he attacked the basket, they were physical drives that sometimes went through contact. He calmly stepped to the foul-line and converted three-point plays on numerous occasions. When he had an opportunity to knock down perimeter jump-shots, Amari didn't hesitate to take them. He's a hard worker on the boards. I feel confident in saying he finished the game with a double-double in points and rebounds. Amari is the type of player who sought out contact from opposing defenders. He had a number of straight line drives to the basket where he looked to draw fouls. On defense, he blocked shots and forced numerous steals by jumping passing lanes. I appreciated his mentality to attack on offense. Amari is a player who's definitely on the rise.   Alex Perez 6-0 - 2031 - Washington Middle School - [program_tooltip program_id='2075517' first='Hopson' last='Elite'] Varnell 12u   Alex was instant energy off the bench. He was a monster on the glass! Alex attacked the boards on both ends of the court. The majority of his offensive rebounds led to second chance scoring opportunities. He was very efficient around the basket, often scoring on put-backs from shots missed by other teammates. Alex was aggressive on offense and defense. In some instances, he was able to beat opposing defenders off the dribble and score in the paint. When he had the opportunity to extend his range beyond the three-point line, he confidently knocked them down. Occasionally, [program_tooltip program_id='2075517' first='Hopson' last='Elite'] Varnell had opportunities to score in transition. When Alex ran the court, he often received the pass and finished strong. He's an excellent defender who made scoring difficult for the opposition. Alex is a player who could rise to the top with continued growth and maturity.   Richard Isby 5-10- 2031- Springfield Middle School- [program_tooltip program_id='2075517' first='Hopson' last='Elite'] Varnell 12u   Richard is an excellent scorer and rebounder. I believe he's capable of averaging a double-double if he works at it. There were moments in the game where Richard was un-guardable. Whether it was scoring in the paint or attacking defenders off the dribble, he showed the ability to draw fouls. Richard may have gotten to the foul-line at least 8 to 10 times. Some of those trips came after scoring through contact. Richard converted the majority of his three-point play opportunities. There was a sequence in the game where the offense ran through Richard. He took full advantage of the situation by scoring on three straight possessions. One being a strong drive to the basket. The other coming from an offensive rebound and the last being a short perimeter jumper from the wing of the court. Defensively, he blocked a shot, played tough physical defense and gave opposing players fits in the paint. I believe Richard is a star in the making.   Gabe Hoskins 5-4 - 2033 - East Perry Elementary - Kentucky Future Elite 2032 Farmer   Gabe is a skilled point guard who has a habit of making winning plays. He's an elite passer who set-up teammates with pin-point passes. The majority of his assists led to positive outcomes for Kentucky Future Elite 2032. Gabe scored in a variety of ways throughout the game. He excelled at beating defenders off the dribble. This led to lay-ups in the paint along with multiple jump-shots along the perimeter. Gabe was great at pushing the pace. This allowed Kentucky Future Elite 2032 to keep Team Flyght 12u on their heels. Whenever Gabe and his teammates had an opportunity to score in transition, he was the catalyst that made it happen. Gabe also shoots the three ball! He nailed three of them throughout the duration of the game. He's a promising player who has a bright future in the game of basketball. Keep it up Gabe!!   Deon Melson Jr. 5-10 - 2032 - Decker Middle School - Team Flyght Future 12u   He's an athletic player who utilized his length as a major advantage. Deon is a great rebounder who has the ability to finish around the basket. The majority of his offensive boards led to put-backs or second chance shots for his teammates. He showed the ability to attack defenders, score in the paint and convert lay-ups during fast breaks. There were moments in the game where Deon used his size advantage to score tough baskets through contact and draw fouls. He was able to convert multiple three-point plays with great foul-line shooting. Deon effectively set screens that freed up other players for clean drives to the basket. Defensively, this young man was awesome! He blocked shots and showed his versatility by guarding smaller players on the perimeter. His length allowed him to generate multiple steals throughout the game. Deon has the capability of being a great all around player in the future. Keep working Deon!!   Cassius Ray 6-1 - Zane Grey Middle School - The Program New Balance 12u   The big man was the most dominant player on the court Sunday morning. Cassius was a “man among boys” in their match-up against Saginaw Pride 12u. He was a definite presence in the paint on offense and defense. Cassius is an efficient scorer around the basket. His teammates made a point of getting him the ball in his sweet spots. Whenever the New Balance guards drove into the paint, they often drew in the defense and found Cassius for easy scores. He's an excellent rebounder and great passer. Some of his boards led to great outlet passes that led to fast-break points for other New Balance players. Once he develops a consistent jump-shot, Cassius could become a major problem for opposing defenses. He's the ultimate rim protector  who constantly altered shots and made scoring difficult for the opposition. With growth and maturity, Cassius could be even greater in the years to come. Keep working Cassius!!   Jason Lewis 5-2 - Xenia Warner Middle School - The Program New Balance 12u   I enjoyed watching this young man play Sunday morning. Jason is a great player who showed the ability to play on both sides of the court. Offensively, he handles the ball, attacks the paint, knocks down mid-range shots and extends his shooting range beyond the three-point line. He finished the game with multiple threes and tough drives to the basket. Where he really impressed me was on defense. Jason is a dawg! In my opinion, he's already an elite defender at a young age. The on-ball pressure he applied on the Saginaw Pride 12u guards was something special. He pressed opponents into committing multiple turnovers and a host of ball handling mistakes. At least three of his four steals led to fast break points for himself or other New Balance 12u teammates. Jason showed great timing to go along with quick hands. I believe he's talented enough to become an elite two-way player as he continues to grow and mature. Keep it up Jason!!

These players were the "cream of the crop" for the 12u class!