Top of the Rockies: Saturday Night Standouts
We spent Saturday night at the Green Mountain location to wrap up the second day of the Top of the Rockies tournament. Here are a handful of players that stood out to us from the last five rounds of games: Tyson…
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Continue ReadingWe spent Saturday night at the Green Mountain location to wrap up the second day of the Top of the Rockies tournament. Here are a handful of players that stood out to us from the last five rounds of games:
Tyson Gilbert, 5-10 guard, Colorado Chaos 16’s Elite
In what was easily the game of the night, Gilbert gutted through a knee injury while being roughed up by a physical Rocky Mountain Vipers squad to lead his team to a 65-59 overtime victory. The Highlands Ranch product brought maximum effort on the defensive end, soaring around the gym while coming up with steal after steal. Gilbert proved a lot about his toughness and tenacity this evening.
Goy Wang, 6-5 wing, Colorado Chaos 16’s Elite
One of the more intriguing players on the floor Saturday evening, Wang showed impressive agility and ball handling for someone of his frame and age. Wang certainly knows how to use his length to finish offensively but we’d like to see him mix it up more down low. He has the motor and athleticism to be a difference maker on both ends.
Xavier Johnson, 6-2 guard, Colorado Chaos 16’s Elite
A tenacious finisher, this tough-as-nails guard isn’t easily rattled. Johnson showed an ability to lead the Chaos offensively for stretches on Saturday. And when the Vipers seemed to be getting in the Chaos heads, Johnson showed that he’s capable of being a player a team can rally around.
Michkaleke Baker, 5-8 guard, Rocky Mountain Vipers
This undersized guard epitomizes the Vipers’ relentless identity. Baker refuses to let his size work against him, playing without fear while out-rebounding players who had a good six inches on him and collecting a few wow-inducing blocks in the process. Faster than anyone on the court, Baker was not phased by the double-teams the Chaos through his way. The Vipers are a fun team to watch and Baker is large reason why.
Reggie Gibson, 6-foot guard, Colorado United 17’s
Gibson absorbs contact while dribbling like few other guards at his level can. Even with his stocky frame, Gibson operates well with little space, finding the crease in defenses that don’t appear to be there.
Aaris Bonds, 6-4 guard, Colorado United 17’s
Bonds is a natural athlete who operates well as the secondary ball-handler for team and can score in a variety of ways. While he does need to improve in his free throw shooting, his raw abilities shine through. Definitely a player to keep an eye on over the coming months.
McCallan Castles, 6-5 forward, Colorado Titans 16 Gold
Castles’ physicality is well-known. But when his outside shot is falling as it was on Saturday, he has the look of a more complete prospect. Another more underrated aspect of his game is his willingness to make the extra pass. Castles was a big reason the Titans’ ball movement was so impressive on Saturday.
Joe Madsen, 6-5 Forward, B&B 10th Elite Black
Madsen was a one-man wrecking crew for stretches on Saturday, cleaning up on the glass and out-muscling the opposition in the low post. His timing and positioning in the rebound department are advanced for his age so it will be interesting to see if he can develop some additional post moves moving forward.