Bluegrass Fall League: Top 17u Performers

<p>The Bluegrass Fall League entered their second weekend with a strong slate of games featuring a showdown between the Louisville Legends and Manimal Elite. Here’s a look at some of the weekend’s top players. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="801592" first="Jackson" last="Twombly"], Frankfort (Derby City) - </strong>Twombly has been pulling double duty in the fall league playing 16u on Saturdays and 17s on Sundays. On a team whose top performers were predominantly Indiana kids, Jackson showed himself well while playing up an age group. Noticeably slimmed down, Twombly still needs to rebound at a higher rate but he showed his whole offensive game this weekend and leads the 16u age group in scoring at last check.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="926898" first="Mitchell" last="Rylee"], Covington Catholic (Griffin Elite 16u) -</strong> The Griffin 2022s are playing up an age group in the league and Rylee has shined so far. At 6’9, Mitchell is averaging close to a double-double while going up against top 2021 post players. Against Kentucky Vision, the big man had 5 dunks and showcased good footwork around the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923001" first="Cam" last="Pope"], Male (Griffin Elite) - </strong>The shifty guard from Male has excelled playing on and off the ball in the fall league and made some impressive passes over the course of the day. Showcasing an improved handle and the ability to pull up off a ball screen with a quick trigger, Pope looks like he’ll be one of the top Seniors in the 502 this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="793767" first="Jaylen" last="Fairman"], Jeffersontown (Louisville Legends) - </strong>Jaylen and [player_tooltip player_id="922990" first="Jaden" last="Rogers"] went head to head in the Legends/Manimal matchup and Fairman more than held his own. He also wasn’t afraid to let his 6th region rival know about it. Jaylen is a heady floor general who thrives in an up and down game but can also score or create in a slower paced contest.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1032000" first="Javaughn" last="Smith"], Bardstown (Manimal Elite) - </strong>I’m not sure Smith missed an open look all day. In the first game of the day, he hit 7 threes against Griffin 2022 and then against the Legends he had a handful more from downtown. He doesn’t put the ball on the floor a ton but he is capable. Smith may be the best shooter in the 2021 class.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="922998" first="Cearius" last="Warren"], Fern Creek (Vision Elite) - </strong>"King" is now the leader on my "nastiest dunk I’ve ever seen live" list as he caught a 2 handed body in the first game on Sunday. He also showed some improved skill but has to learn to slow down from time to time before he loses the ball in traffic.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923032" first="Sam" last="Campbell"], Oldham County (Kentucky Ambition) - </strong>Sam is not going to blow you away with any one particular thing but he is so skilled and a very talented all around player. He seems to get 15 quiet points every time out. And he’s never shied away from the big shot and has a knack for hitting game winners.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923035" first="Ayden" last="Mudd"], St. Xavier (Louisville Prospects) - </strong>Another player who can be described as solid all around, Ayden showed the ability to finish around the rim and stretch the floor with shooting. The Prospects had an underwhelming afternoon but Mudd had a solid day individually. </p>