TheTuneUp: 14U Players Making Names For Themselves At 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.    Coates was an absolute energy guy all tournament long for Team Daum and made his presence felt every time he stepped on the floor. He played with a relentless motor, constantly attacking the rim and putting pressure on defenses. What stood out most was how physical he played while still staying under control and making smart decisions. He embraced contact, finished tough plays and never seemed to slow down. On top of bringing that nonstop energy, he proved he could flat out score the basketball. Coates was one of those players who always seemed to be around the action and making something happen     Middleton was the anchor in the paint for 7070 throughout their championship run and consistently made his impact felt on both ends of the floor. With his size and physical presence, he was a tough matchup all weekend long. He did a great job scoring with his back to the basket, showing patience and touch around the rim but what made him even more effective was his ability to put the ball on the floor and attack defenders off the bounce. On top of his scoring Middleton was a major force on the glass, controlling rebounds and creating extra possessions for his team     Mccormick was a dynamic presence for Colorado Magic all tournament long, bringing athleticism, physicality and energy every time he stepped on the floor. He played at a high pace and consistently made plays at the rim, using his explosiveness and strength to finish through contact. What stood out was his ability to create space and get past defenders in the paint with a variety of moves, often putting together some highlight worthy plays. He also brought intensity on the defensive end, applying constant pressure and making life difficult for opposing ball handlers throughout the tournament     Porter was simply fun to watch all tournament long because he always seemed to find himself in the right place at the right time. He played with a nonstop motor and never gave up on a play, constantly finding ways to impact the game. Offensively he showed a really polished mid range game and knocked down multiple deep shots with impressive range and confidence. Whether it was making a hustle play, hitting a timely jumper, or creating a scoring opportunity, Porter consistently found a way to make things happen and was one of the more entertaining players to watch     Lucero made a big fan out of me this weekend. He looked every bit of a polished point guard, controlling the pace of the game while consistently coming up with big plays for his team. What stood out most was his ability to balance getting others involved while also knowing when to go get his own offense. He read screens exceptionally well, creating space for himself and making defenses pay. He knocked down big three pointers, attacked the paint with confidence and showed outstanding body control and finishing ability around the rim. Lucero played with poise, toughness and a high basketball IQ throughout the tournament

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.