Chicago Summer Jam: Pulley 17s go 6-0
The Pulley 17s won there three pool play games by huge margins as well as their first two playoff games. They snuck by in the semi-final and then did not play in the title game. Why? Because the tournament scheduler…
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Continue ReadingThe Pulley 17s won there three pool play games by huge margins as well as their first two playoff games. They snuck by in the semi-final and then did not play in the title game. Why? Because the tournament scheduler had them scheduled for four games on Sunday which is of course against NCAA rules and the Panthers didn't want to get their players in trouble nor the event in trouble for playing four games in a day. So they went 6-0 and then didn't play Meanstreets in the final. The event schedule actually says Meanstreets won 40-30 but that was the score of the 15U game.
The 16U Pulley squad won their first six games and was neck and neck with Meanstreets before Tre Jones injured his ankle and had to sit the rest of the game. From there, it was all Meanstreets. Meanstreets beat Pulley in the 15U and 16U final and then the same teams were supposed to play in the 17U final but the four game rule meant the teams tied for the final.
Theo John (Champlin Park). Theo had an okay weekend but with every day of growth he seems to become more and more like a new John Thomas. The mannerisms are similar, they have the same shoulders, move quite similar (JT was stronger where as Theo moves a bit better than John did at this age), and about the same size plus Theo can add so much strength to his frame. Also, when he is around the basket protecting, it instantly changes the thought process of a guard. They often have to adjust a shot to a very difficult arc.
Amar Miller (Minnetona). Really liked the impact on the game that Amar had defensively, especially in the full court press. When he is using his speed to turn defenders and change tempo, it can cause havoc. His first two scores were steals in the full court press that resulted in transition baskets. Has another level of pace than nearly everybody on the floor.
Tyler Peterson (Centennial). Tyler opened the game with an attacking score extending to touch over length and then flashed middle to catch and hit at 12-feet where he is always going to be money. Also moved without the ball to come off screens with a tight curl, get his hands up, catch, and finish. Scored four times and is looking more confident.
Gary Trent Jr (Apple Valley). In these running time games Gary produced offense with players tugging and bumping him. He was at the line early after getting to the rim and getting a shot off with his massive guard frame while the smaller player tugged on him like smaller child would. In the second half Gary used dribble separation to makes shots with a defender all over him and the defense was so frustrated he yelled at the coach and said “what can I do?” Gary’s size is his first advantage but the skills are so good that even a defender a foot away seems to bother him less and less every day.
Tre Jones (Apple Valley). Jones hurt his ankle and had to sit most of the second half. When this happened the team fell apart. There is no other way to say it. They didn’t have their leader and playmaker. And Tre was a playmaker before he went down. There was a contested trey made, two attacking finishes blowing by a guy and then extending to finish over the deep help, and he was the first player in the game to hit double digits. Also one of the best rebounding guards you will ever see and his hands and defensive IQ allow him to rack up steals and deflections. An all defensive type player for sure. Does so much.
Isaac Johnson (Mpls North). With a defender chirping at him as well as regular bumps, Isaac won the early battle with two contested treys. The touch was pure and it didn’t bother Johnson that his enemy was in his face. He seemed to like it. Then in the second half Isaac was able to hit double digits scoring on the attack through traffic. Has this unique ability to attack the defense and still finish with great body control.
JaQuan Sanders-Smith (Mpls North). Another nice weekend for JaQuan. Had one of the best zip passes to a cutter you will ever see, his attack minded transition game is very good, and he’s now a trusted starter. Much like was saw at Gopher team camp JaQuan continues to progress.