West Coast Clash: 16U 1st Team Breakdown
This weekend I headed to the Northwest for the West Coast Clash in Centralia,WA. I watched as many teams as I could but mainly focused on the 16U division. There were 16 teams in the division so I made four All-16U…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend I headed to the Northwest for the West Coast Clash in Centralia,WA. I watched as many teams as I could but mainly focused on the 16U division.
There were 16 teams in the division so I made four All-16U Tournament teams featuring seven players per team.
Here is the 1st team breakdown of the seven players:
Zach Swanson Zach Swanson 6'2" | SG Toutle Lake | 2024 State WA Toutle Lake/WA (NHC-Kelly 2024)
As you probably saw by the superlative list, he basically did it all. He handles the ball and gets downhill, hits 3’s, posts up his man up, defends the 1-5 with his strong frame and is highly competitive. He also is one of the tougher players out there. And oh yeah, he already verbally committed to Oregon State on a baseball scholarship where he tops out at 92 mph for only a soph. Kind of crazy. To sum it all up, Swanson is a stud all-around athlete and is the early POY for 2A next year per a few people.
Jalen Dollar PG 5’9 2024 Roosevelt/WA (ECBA Baskett 2024) (Pictured)
One of the top pure point guards in the 16U division. He has a high feel for the game and slices defenses up with his next level court vision. He works best off the pick and roll game. He loves to find a teammate or he will pull-up off the dribble. When he isn’t facilitating, he can shoot the three with range. The son of former UCLA standout Cameron Dollar has shift in his handle to get to the basket and use the floater or lay it in.
Carter Rupp CG 5’9 2025 Coeur D’alene/ID (Built4Ball 2024)
Arguably THE top shooter of the 16U division and he is only a freshman. He squares up quickly and lets it fly with a fast shooting trigger. He has some speed with the ball to get open and create his own offense. He moves without the ball and has unlimited range. He can get to the basket off the dribble and will finish with his left or right.
Matt Lindblom SG 6’1 2025 Olympia/WA (Roots Academy 2024)
Matt was busy this weekend. He played 17U for a different program and played 16’s with Roots. He is natural scorer and gets buckets very easily. He has a good frame for a freshman and plays the game the right way. He has the pull-up, catch-3, he drives it well and is crafty to score near the basket.
Josaiah Asuega PF 6’4 2025 South Kitsap/WA (Seahawks Elite 2024)
A man inside the paint was hard to contain. He defends well inside with his strength and girth and holds his own in space. He rebounds, will block an occasional shot and score it efficiently in the trenches. He also can find the open man when he gets double teamed.
Tait Spencer Tait Spencer 6'3" | SG Great Futures Prep | 2025 State WA Battle Ground/WA (PNW Sixers Black 2024)
One of the best guards in the division for the sophomore class. The lefty has filled in his frame and he can shoot it with range and confidence. He gets high elevation with good looking form. He can get downhill and score through contact. He also plays for the UAA Team Stuck program in the live periods.
Macklin Gray SF 6’4 2024 Juanita/WA (Global Academy 2024)
An all-around guard is all arms and legs. He is one of the players you just assume he will grow some more. He can hit the three and likes giving ball fakes and getting to the basket. He rarely will take a bad shot and seems to make the correct decisions with a good IQ for the game.