#HustleSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Notebook

<p>PrepHoops headed out west to open up the PrepHoops Circuit in California on Friday night with the #HustleSZNKickoff!   Check out my thoughts from the first round of games in <strong>#HustleSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Notebook</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Domination by LMBA Desert Knights 16U in Opener</strong></p> <p>In the first game we caught LMBA Desert Knights 16 who left no doubt in their contest putting on a show!  They used their quickness, length, and speed in transition to get turnovers and convert them into points on the other end of the floor.  The Nevada squad had a very balanced attack, but the most impressive performer was probably 2021 point guard Xakime Milton.  Quick and shifty guard that pushes in the open floor with speed.  Slick through traffic and has the ball on a string.  Solid passer.  Other guards of note included Rodderik Junior who was a tough defender and the lefty hit a baseline jumper.  Marquise Brown is a tough two guard with strength that plays physical.  Two best long term prospects other than Milton were 6’5” Josh Waddell and 6’2” Michael Anderson.  Both are from Centennial High School.  Waddell has a nice frame and should continue to grow.  Nimble footwork around the hoop and soft hands in paint.  Rebounds well in area.  Anderson is a raw wing skill size, but has some projectability.  The lefty runs the floor very well getting scores in transition.  Active defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Gamepoint 17U Gets Win over HD Basketball</strong></p> <p>This was a fun game between Gamepoint and HD Basketball.  A pair of squads that could put the ball in the hoop.  Gamepoint had excellent guards and wings across the board.  All of them seemed to have length and skill.  Jalen Wilson is a tough scoring guard that was aggressive and got after it on D.  Their big man put on a clinic inside garnering post position and dominating on the glass.  They won by a final of 83-53.  For HD Basketball Jed Miller was really good connecting on scoop shots and was money from deep!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Powerhouse 17U Makes Statement on Night One</strong></p> <p>The best game of the first night of action was between Powerhouse and The Truth 17U.  The Truth jumped out early behind 6’4” shooting guard Jaren Johnson.  Ultra smooth perimeter player that can slash and connected on a pair of feathery threes.  He would quiet down as the rest of the game would go on finishing with 12 points.  For the The Truth we were also intrigued by 6’6” power forward Cameron Denson.  Went for 10 points.  Bouncy shot blocking presence that has some face up potential.  The night belonged to Powerhouse however.  They had an inside presence too with Osasere Ighodara who at 6’10” has mobility on the interior.  Very good rebounder that high pointed them in traffic.  Runs the floor well and finishes around the hoop.  He had 9 points and left a major imprint on this game!  Their guards were outstanding!  Trent Brown ran the show at the point with crisp passes, tough layups, and an occasional three.  Alem Huseinovic is a 6’3” two guard that is scrappy.  He scores very well in transition and is a capable pull up shooter.  18 huge points for this exciting guard!  Logan Phillips was also an upside prospect at 6’7” with a thin build.  Knocked down a three, finished an alley-oop, and got on the glass.  Some ball handling potential as well.  Huge second half from Evan Nelson who scored all 9 of his points in the last half helped them pull away as Powerhouse won 61-38.</p>