PHTuneUpCo: Frontcourt 14U Game Changers From The Courts

The best part of summer and being assigned to the younger age groups is getting a glimpse into the future of basketball in the state. Every year, new names emerge and begin to make their mark, and the talent on display at The Tune Up proved that the future is in good hands. From high-level skill and athleticism to confidence and competitiveness, these 14U standouts didn't disappoint and showed why they're players to keep an eye on moving forward.    Garey was one of the first players to catch my eye all tournament long. He has excellent size and a strong build, and he used both to his advantage on every possession. He played with toughness on both ends of the floor, but what really stood out was his defensive impact, as he proved to be an extremely difficult matchup to score against. Offensively he showcased his ability to score at all three levels, knocking down shots from the perimeter, creating in the mid range and finishing at the rim. His biggest moment came in the final game when he calmly stepped to the line and buried three clutch free throws at the buzzer to seal the victory     Barney was impossible to miss with Colorado Swoosh, simply because he was the biggest and most physically imposing player on the floor every matchup he played. His size and strength allowed him to dominate the paint, where he consistently converted easy baskets around the rim and made opponents pay for any defensive breakdowns. What really made his impact stand out was everything else he brought to the game. He protected the lane with authority, altered shots, controlled the glass at a high level and gave his team a major advantage with his presence. Barney's combination of size, production and energy made him one of the more fun players to watch all weekend     Bailey was one of the biggest standouts for Colorado Magic because of the way he played with an edge and always seemed to know exactly when to attack. He was incredibly smooth operating around the basket, consistently finding gaps and creases in the defense to create quality scoring opportunities. His footwork and positioning stood out, as he used strong technique to seal defenders and finish efficiently around the rim. On the defensive end Bailey was absolutely locked in, sticking to his assignment like glue and making life difficult for opposing players. His combination of toughness, skill and defensive intensity made him a major difference maker every time he stepped on the floor     Paligo was an absolute force for Team Excellence at 6'6”. From the moment he stepped on the floor, you could tell he was going to make an impact, and he delivered in a big way. He played with tremendous poise, toughness and a level of maturity that reflected great coaching. Paligo never backed down from a challenge and consistently found ways to impose his will on the game. He was outstanding operating with his back to the basket and in the mid range, picking his spots and scoring efficiently. Just as importantly though his movement created easy opportunities for teammates. He also controlled the glass, generating second chance points and igniting transition opportunities with quick outlet plays     Baltzer really shined for Team Excellence because of what he was able to do with the ball in his hands. It felt like every time he initiated the offense, good things happened and his team found a way to score. He showcased a quick first step and explosive burst attacking the lane, putting constant pressure on opposing defenses. Baltzer also displayed excellent shooting mechanics and deep range, making him a threat from all areas of the floor. The thing that really got my attention was his team first approach. He played with great pace, used screens effectively and consistently created open looks for his teammates, making him a true catalyst for Team Excellence

The best part of summer and being assigned to the younger age groups is getting a glimpse into the future of basketball in the state. Every year, new names emerge and begin to make their mark, and the talent on display at The Tune Up proved that the future is in good hands. From high-level skill and athleticism to confidence and competitiveness, these 14U standouts didn't disappoint and showed why they're players to keep an eye on moving forward.