The Tune Up: 17U All Tournament Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the holiday falling on a Friday. The Prep Hoops Circuit resumed in the greater Chicago area in a quick two day format coined “The Tune Up”.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are the first and second all tournament teams for 17U division in the deep and talented event. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Team </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] 7-0 Benet (IL) </strong>There really isn't anywhere else to start. Perhaps I'm showing my age. When I see a 7 in front of a height. I expect to see interior dominance. Stack provided that in a major way. Established a “no fly zone” at the rim defensively. Offensively, lost count of the powerful finishes. Rebounded out of his area with long arms and good instincts. Wasn't just a brute or bully. Showed skill level with his passing and touch out on the perimeter. I'm not going to list any statistics, because frankly his impact went beyond numbers. Highest ranked player in the field. However played hard, winning basketball. With no sense of entitlement. Impressive, no nonsense performance… from an impressive no nonsense prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1964163' first='Donovan' last='Williams'] 6-0 Stevenson (IL) </strong>Got off to a bit of a slow start. Seemed to come alive in Sunday action. A jet quick point guard with good size for the position. Long arms help him seem a taller than just six feet Was a strong and crafty finisher at the rim. Even pulled out an old school hook shot to finish over [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] Played well in two man situations and appeared to be well schooled pass first point guard. Those are becoming rare. Standout contest was a 14 point outing against an undefeated [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black squad. Competitive player who kept fighting after that game was put out of reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2334404' first='Tre' last='Watkins'] 6-2 Metea Valley (IL) </strong>Like Williams, seemed to get stronger as the weekend continued. Not a very flashy player, but is going to find a way to score and affect games. Scores easily in that forgotten area of the court known as the mid range. Rises over most defenders. Capably creates space despite not having the thickest frame. I was impressed with his play in a loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose']. In the face of nearly full denial defense. Put up 25 points in a wide variety of ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'] 6-2 Hersey (IL) </strong>Luxem's play might not have always have showed up in the scorebook. But he was the perimeter catalyst for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black's dominant weekend. Seemingly gave up some offense by capably running the point. When he scored. It looked easy and made you think he could do more if desired. Extremely bouncy and easily made plays above the rim. Nice live dribble passer. Often hitting teammates on backdoor cuts. More impressively, might not have even been at full strength. Appeared to nursing injuries throughout the weekend (wrist,leg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561084' first='Jacolby' last='Donaldson'] 6-0 Gary 21st Century (IN) </strong>This was a tough one. [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] 17U-2 was undefeated on the weekend. However they were also very balanced. I'm going to give the first team nod to what appeared to be their “table setter.” I use the quotes intentionally. I'm not sure Donaldson is a pure point guard. But his speed and defensive intensity set up much of his team's success. Quite slender, but moved at a different pace than his opponents. Sped people up defensively and got into passing lanes often. Offensively put constant pressure on the rim. Getting to the line frequently. Might need to add strength to finish through contact. Like Williams (see above) lanky frame helps him play taller than his listed height.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Second Team </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2821689' first='Kendall' last='Bosby'] 6-3 Joliet West (IL) </strong>Bosby had a strong weekend in leading [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] to a 3-1 record on the weekend. While he was impressive in the victories. I was taken by his play in a defeat. An explosive and long wing who is a natural scorer. He seamlessly slid over to the point after his teams point guard was disqualified from play very early in the contest. Handled the ball well and balanced playmaking and scoring. Almost brought his team all the way back from a big deficit against a good [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] squad. Put up 15 points after almost going scoreless in the first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2896555' first='Tiaan' last='Coetzee'] 6-5 Andrean (IN) </strong>Excellent shooter who helped lead [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] 17U-2 to an undefeated weekend. I was impressed with how quickly he ordered his feet and efficiently got into the shooting motion. Hit five threes to finish with 19 points in his team's final contest. Also was a good ball handler and distributor when needed. A little digital digging made this all make sense. Coetzee is a late blooming player who is the beneficiary of a significant growth spurt. Hence the legitimate backcourt skillset on a lengthy 6-5 frame. Looks ready to break out as a senior and could be highly underrated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2834457' first='Levii' last='Tallos'] 6-4 Lake Forest Academy (IL) </strong>I don't normally like to use three spots for one team. However [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black was simply that dominant, and Tallos was just that good. If Luxem held down the point, and Stack owned the paint. Tallos did nearly everything in between. Good shooter with a smooth and effortless release. Stayed in constant motion off the ball. Scored often off a back door cuts. Caught the ball in the shooting and got it up quickly. Saved his best for (almost) last. Put up a thirty piece in the penultimate win over a good [program_tooltip program_id='2075267' first='All' last='in Athletics'] Gold club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] 6-4 Plainfield East (IL) </strong>Honestly, I was so impressed with this player. I would have preferred to put him higher. However I believe he only played on Saturday. “Do-it-all” type of wing with good size. Like all players this age, could probably shoot it a little better. Outside of that, not many holes in his game. Good athlete who exploded to the rim. Got there often with a solid handle and quick first step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2482184' first='Adam' last='Bauer'] 6-7 Cary-Grove </strong>Behind Stack, arguably the second best post in the field. Has a sturdy and stocky frame. However also possesses deceptive athleticism. Easily and emphatically finished at the rim with quick elevation. Didn't need a power dribble or gather step. Put up 14 points against [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->