Indy’s Team Teague – Felder Impresses at PH Live
There were a lot of nice teams and high-quality individual performers at the PH Live event in Kansas City last weekend. But stealing the show was the Indianapolis-area Team Teague – Felder group of 2025 prospects who played up, and…
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Continue ReadingThere were a lot of nice teams and high-quality individual performers at the PH Live event in Kansas City last weekend. But stealing the show was the Indianapolis-area Team Teague – Felder group of 2025 prospects who played up, and dominated.
Playing up isn’t easy. Coach Kim Felder hopes the experience will help his young charges prepare to hit the high school scene next fall.
“We’re trying to develop their toughness, their mental toughness,” Felder said. “When you’re 8th grade, the speed of the game is not the same. So we’ve got to be tough. These are more athletic (opponents) than a lot of the 8th grade teams we face. So we’ve got to rely on our fundamentals.
“We’re from Indiana, so it’s all about fundamentals.”
Felder said he wasn’t surprised that his club was hitting on all cylinders in KC, because they have already played in a few high quality events.
“We’ve been able to play at a couple of earlier Prep Hoops events, so we’ve got guaranteed games against quality teams,” Felder said. “That means a lot coming in here. We’ve got a lot of continuity from those earlier events, and we advanced to the championship game in those earlier events, so we’re battle tested.”
Here’s a look at the roster that was in action for Team Teague – Felder 2025 in KC last weekend (in alphabetical order):
James Clark, 6-foot-3 forward:
A powerful player who is comfortable in the post, Clark demonstrated nice hands and ability to catch and score in the lane. He is a workhorse, hustling after every loose ball and going hard after every board. He has a versatile set of skills at the offensive end, comfortable with moving inside and out, and running the floor for transition opportunities.
Jalen Haralson, 6-foot-5 forward (pictured):
The highlight maker for the Felder-coached group was Haralson. He’s got the whole package and has people already talking D1 about him. He’s long, but not gangly or undeveloped. He goes up off two feet and dunks easily, not something every tall 8th grader can do. He handles the ball as well as any combo guard and has a fundamental stroke from deep. He isn’t fazed by on-ball defense when dribbling in the open court, and can drive aggressively with either hand. Combine those skills with his physical gifts and you have a top prospect.
Damien King, 6-foot-3 forward:
King is a powerful athlete who takes pride in his work on defense and on the glass. He is physically developed and strong, and is versatile enough to play anywhere in the half-court set. Like Clark, King plays hard and attacks big men without hesitation.
Jace Scranton, 6-foot-5 forward:
Scranton is another big, powerful athlete with a mature build and game. He has very active hands in the lane, blocking shots and tipping passes. He harasses big men when they do catch the ball in the lane. Scranton battled some good-sized older players and showed his talents.
Shane Sims, 6-foot-2 guard:
Sims is a shooter who also is willing to dig in and do the dirty work. He’s physically developed and doesn’t shy away from traffic. He sticks his nose in for rebounds and loose balls, and his size and strength make him an effective defender. He can’t be left alone for a second at the offensive end.
Conner Smith, 5-foot-11 guard:
Smith is a really nice guard who would turn a ton of heads if he weren’t on such a loaded team. He is a high-level ball handler who knows how to get teammates the ball. He has an effective 3-point shot and can penetrate and get his own shots on the drive. He makes some impressive highlight plays with his athleticism.
Mark Zackery, 5-foot-11 guard:
With all eyes on Haralson, Zackery might get overlooked. But he was as good as any 15U point guard at Kansas City, and will be a prospect to really watch. He is a deft ball handler and lightning quick. He can turn the corner on a defender and get going downhill in a flash. He is a pass-first point guard who makes the team click. He can shoot from distance and showed some good midrange ability as well.
“There’s several D1 players in this group,” Felder said. “People better get in early on Jalen Haralson, because he’s going to be a phenomenal player. Mark Zachary is tough as nails. He’s got enough speed, defensive tenacity. This is a great group all the way around.”
Although they beat up on the teams they faced in Pool F, Coach Teague didn’t allow himself to get too excited about the performance. Asked if his team was the best team in the 15U pool, he responded with a smile: “We’re the best 8th grade team here.”