The SPBL Preview
This weekend the Sanford Pentagon Basketball League will run parallel with the Summer Slam in Sioux Falls. It’s their third and final weekend of play.
17 and Under
Favorite! There is no clear favorite but if you were to pick one it would have to be Select Ellis. They are 6-3 in league play and coming off some good wins in St. Cloud at the recent GPA tournament. Select Ellis is ranked 23rd in Minnesota with a 14-15 record.
Top Contenders. ECI Select is certainly a contender coming into the event with the best SPBL league record. They were 7-2 in league play and have won 17 games overall this year. Comets D has played more games than anyone totaling a 16-17 record. They have the most experience playing together.
Darkhorse. Crossfire Peterson. The 4-5 league record isn’t pretty but they have wins over Comets D and Select Ellis this year so they can put together a run. The team has size, guard play, and a couple scorers.
16 and Under
Favorite! Select Koch. Their 8-2 record in league play is good for second place but their spring and summer resume shows that they are the clear favorite to bring gold back to Minnesota. Koch’s squad is 20-10 on the year and really played well in June.
Top Contenders. Heat West has the best SPBL record at 9-1 so they are right there but Select Koch has been slightly better. Comets Lilj and Select Okafor are also ranked teams in Minnesota and both could also make a run.
Darkhorse. Crossfire Forbish. At 11-16 this team could be the motivated squad to push to the final four. WOTN Jonas is another to watch.
15 and Under
Favorite! The Minnesota Heat Wiley squad is a massive favorite to win. Of the 14 wins they have this season, nine come in SPBL play. They are 9-0 in this league, 5-10 in other competition.
Top Contenders. At 22-16 Comets Thuok has played more than anybody. They are the 20th ranked team in Minnesota’s 15u rankings. They and Wisconsin Playmakers are 7-3 in the league and seen as the top contenders to the Heat .
Darkhorse. ECI Purintin. A 12-13 team that is tired of being the “third wheel” when it comes to ECI 15u teams. They are motivated for a run.