Director’s Cut: Kentucky Edition
As the first half of the grassroots season comes to a close we wanted to touch base with programs directors and coaches to see how things went during April and May. These articles aim to provide updates on the teams as well as under the radar players or the kids who are on track to have a big July.
Team Name: M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs
Mid-Season Update:
A program with an impressive record of 55-17 during the first half of the year. Program wide the Mustang teams cause havoc in every event that they are in. At the 16U level the group has had a strong early go but injuries has set them back to possibly reaching their full potential. Coach Steve Quattrocchi hopes his guys are rested and back healthy to make a nice run in during the July periods.
Under the Radar Players:
16U
• Terrin Hamilton – 6’6 F – can handle the ball well for his height, high IQ kid,
broke wrist in April
• Trey Brock – 6’4 F – 43 inch vertical, shoots the ball well, working on making his
game more well rounded
17U
• McKinley Mann – 6’9 F – really skilled kid that could put some weight on and
jump on division one radars, hold D2 offers right now
• James Nicholas – 6’5 F – coming off a few knee injuries but ready to go for the
back half of the year, kid that goes 100% every play, high ceiling when healthy
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-14: Under Armour Classic -Emerson, GA
July 14-15: Elite 32 – Atlanta, GA
July 18-22: AAU Nationals – Orlando, FL (17U)
July 20-22: All-In Hoopfest – Louisville, KY (16U)
July 27-29: Kentucky Jam Fest – Louisville, KY
Team Name: Louisville Magic – 16U
Mid-Season Update:
This Louisville Magic squad has been difficult for opposing teams all year. With a great balance of speed and size this crew qualified for the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in July. This is a group the has the capability to win some big time games in July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Zach Loveday – 7’0 C – can stretch the floor well, can put on muscle but will
have his choice school when it’s said and done
• Ryan Kalkbrenner – 7’0 C – 2020 kid playing 17’s but going to join the 16’s in
July, will make some noise in July
Where can you find them in July?:
July 12-15: Adidas Gauntlet Finale – New York, NY
July 18-22: Adidas Summer Championships – Orange County, CA
July 27-29: Kentucky Jam Fest – Louisville, KY
Team Name: Louisville Magic – 17U
Mid-Season Update:
A group that started to click a little more as the spring went on after struggling to find consistency. This Louisiana Magic team has answered the call to the early struggles and responded positively, they look to carry that over into July and continue their growth. Coach Daryl Moberly says he is hopeful his guys have learned and grown over the first half of the year and are ready to get to work in July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Benson Lin – 6’3 G – combo guard that can shoot the lights out, can pull up
either direction at a high level, learning to defend at a higher level
Where can you find them in July?:
July 12-15: Adidas Gauntlet Finale – New York, NY
July 18-22: Adidas Summer Championships – Orange County, CA
July 27-29: Kentucky Jam Fest – Louisville, KY
Team Name: Charlotte Court – 16U
Mid-Season Update:
This Charlotte Court squad has done the best they could while being riddled with injuries during the first have of the season. This is a group that is competitive in every game no matter the guys they have on the floor. These guys expect to be full strength in July and are hoping to make some noise in their remaining events.
Under the Radar Players:
• James Lindsay – 5’10 G – kid that has a lot of juice, can get to the rim when he
wants to
• KJ Tucker – 6’0 G – pure shooter that shoots the lights out, that is working on
expanding his game
• Taylor Spurlock – 6’5 G – handles the ball well at his size, can shoot the 3 ball,
getting tougher
• Brett Novell – 6’4 F – spot up shooter that puts teams away with his stroke
• Hunter Rutherford – – does all the little things, absolute glue guy
• Joseph Hill – 6’8 F – when on the floor he is a problem for other teams,
consitent guy that can play on both ends
• Colin Doss – 6’5 F – mid-range game, rebounds well for his size
Where can you find them in July?:
July 13-15: Summer Jam – Chicago, IL
July 20-22: All-In Hoopfest – Louisville, KY
July 27-29: Louisville Jamfest – Louisville, KY
Team Name: Charlotte Court – 17U
Mid-Season Update:
Here is the 17U group from Charlotte Court, another team that hasn’t been full strength a majority of the year. Most of these guys are multi-sport athletes which makes the early months of AAU a little tough, but the group that Coach Oreese Ivery has does not let that effect their play. As the early part of the year went on the guys began to click more and more and different guys stepped up in the absences of others. This group gets going on the defensive end and has the ability to put teams away with their ability to knock down the deep ball.
Under the Radar Players:
• JJ Ramey – 6’5 F – dead eye shooter from deep, athletic kid that can get to the
rim at will, high ceiling kid, mid majors watching
• Devaunte Robinson – 6’4 F – athletic combo guard, high skill set on the ball for
his size
• Skylar Hart – 6’5 F – rebounds at a high level, working on consistency from game
to game
• Nate Mack – 6’3 G – lengthy guard that is super athletic, has a chance to be really
good
• Jalen Barber – 6’6 F – rim protector that finishes with securing the rebounds,
offense is a work in progress
Where can you find them in July?:
July 13-15: Summer Jam – Chicago, IL
July 20-22: All-In Hoopfest – Louisville, KY
Still working to finalize their remaining July schedule.