Hustle Memorial Classic: Pool A Storyboard

<p>The Hustle Memorial Classic had some fantastic games at the 17u level this past weekend.  What happened in Pool A?  Here is the story!</p> <p><strong>Smokey Elite Goes 4-0</strong></p> <p>Smokey Elite stepped in and filled a spot this weekend (team from Las Vegas couldn’t make it) and these veterans gave some teams some good games/valuable experience.  [player_tooltip player_id="857353" first="Malik" last="Ross"] led the way playing both guard spots and he was the guy that put this group together.  [player_tooltip player_id="1079548" first="Carson" last="Reno"] shared the backcourt with Ross and was knocking down jumpers stretching defenses past their breaking point. </p> <p>Wing [player_tooltip player_id="857354" first="Noah" last="Ogoli"] was the attacking wing that was too strong and too agile for opposing wings to get back to in transition and get in adequate spots to make consistent stops. We keep talking about guard play and that is what sets this group apart.  Another guard that played well was [player_tooltip player_id="857358" first="Leo" last="Sewell"], the academic standout that plays as intelligently on the court. [player_tooltip player_id="857352" first="Dezman" last="Baker"] was the agile forward stretching the defense and the big man was 6’5 low post [player_tooltip player_id="1079528" first="Peter" last="Burke"] who at 225 pounds was the most physical player in most situations. </p> <p><strong>Big Drip Drops in Three Wins</strong></p> <p>I loved the mix of this team.  They have four attacking guards that all approach things in a bit different way and compliment each other very well.  [player_tooltip player_id="1270688" first="Dae’Sean" last="Johnson-Holiman"] has a smoother game with a nice jumper, a quick dribble into separation, and a composed approach.  [player_tooltip player_id="1270691" first="Jalon" last="Blackwell"] is that running back like aggressive attacker that got to the paint to consistently playmake.  [player_tooltip player_id="1270690" first="Elijah" last="Cain"] Jr is the tough guy of the group consistently getting to his defensive spots and rebounding at a high rate for his spot.  All three of them scored and all three gave quality consistent minutes.  Then there’s [player_tooltip player_id="1270693" first="Dane" last="Lewis"] who has the best change of direction in this group.  Trying to stop all four of these guys is nearly impossible. </p> <p>We spoke in depth about post [player_tooltip player_id="861088" first="Graham" last="Eikenberry"] today in the top performers article and he does a great job working with this guard group.  And the most consistent player I saw from BDH was likely [player_tooltip player_id="1416316" first="Parker" last="Baumann"] who played both forward spots for this team although I would surely call him a wing.  The 6’5 wing/forward did whatever it took for his team to win games including scores in the paint and clutch boards.  Likely a solid catch and shoot wing as well as a one/two dribble attack wing, there is a lot to Parker’s game. </p> <p><strong>NoCo Elite Improvement</strong></p> <p>There are a lot of NoCo Elite players that continue to get better. I loved what [player_tooltip player_id="1206553" first="Noa" last="Phillips"] brought to the court.  His aggressive and constant effort is the perfect weapon for high school backside defenses which are simply not good.  His backside putbacks, backside cuts, and aggressive attacks off of ball reversals led to consistent numbers.  Most importantly Noa’s effort was a constant, I loved the way he produced with effort.  </p> <p>I really like 6’5 [player_tooltip player_id="1285232" first="Drew" last="Larson"] as a prospect.  Great wing size and skill, he’s been so tough for players to step out to and defend because teams have to put a player with size on him.  Clay Wright’s patience and recognition consistently stands out to me each game and I thought Cooper McMillan played some of his basketball of the Prep Hoops Circuit spring. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Pool A All Event Team (one player per win)</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="857352" first="Dezman" last="Baker"] of Smokey Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1416316" first="Parker" last="Baumann"] of BDH Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1270732" first="Luke" last="Brewer"] of Roots Academy</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1416732" first="Andrew" last="Collins"] of Roots Academy</p> <p><strong>Andrew Deedon</strong> of Idaho Premier</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="861088" first="Graham" last="Eikenberry"] of BDH Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1217797" first="Parker" last="Gerrits"] of Roots Academy</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1285232" first="Drew" last="Larson"] of NoCo Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1270693" first="Dane" last="Lewis"] of BDH Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="857354" first="Noah" last="Ogoli"] of Smokey Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1206553" first="Noa" last="Phillips"] of NoCo Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1079548" first="Carson" last="Reno"] of Smokey Elite</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="857353" first="Malik" last="Ross"] of Smokey Elite</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>