The Hoop Memorial Day Classic Preview
It's the end of the spring AAU season this weekend and as usual, the annual Hoop Memorial Day Classic should close things out with a bang. Top teams from throughout the Pacific Northwest and some up from California will vie for this year's tournament title at The Hoop in Salem from May 25-27. Here's a look at the top teams in attendance in the 17U division.
From in-state, The Hoop of course will have its top teams represented. The Hoop Salem 17U squad is fresh off a runnerup finish at the Oregon Open Run Spring Showcase and should be one of the favorites in this event. Mason Lomax (2020 Sprague) is out with a broken finger but Gabe Reichle (2020 Wilsonville) and Drayton Caoile (2019 West Linn) have stepped up with their games to fill in the gap. The Hoop Salem Select team led by Kaelan O'Neil (2020 Churchill), Trey Galbraith (2020 South Salem), and Isaiah Wallace (2020 Churchill) should be tough as well.
Team Fly Select has its top two squads in the field. Fly Select White was a bit down last week due to injury and illness but the hope is that Jesse White (2020 Barlow) and Jack Chlumak (2020 Newberg) in particular are at full strength this weekend. Fly Select Williams, who won the Portland Classic in April, will once again be led by Payton Richardson (2020 Western Christian), Drew Carter (2021 Tigard), and big man Koby Williamson (2020 Santiam Christian).
Other in-state teams that should make noise include Deep III, Team Jones (Ogles), Rose City Basketball, Team PUSH 17U Black, O.B.C. Gold, and The Lab.
The out-of-state squads in attendance are real threats to take the title as well. Prodigy is back in town from California with two squads - Elite and Platinum - and both teams are filled with athletic ability. Team Sacramento also comes up from the south. Down I-5 from Washington will be FOH Seattle 17U. Will Abram (2020 Arlington), Jared Franklin (2020 Curtis), and Josh Lear (2020 Sumner) are just some of the standouts on the roster of this traditional Pacific Northwest powerhouse program.
Pool play kicks off on Saturday morning at Cascade High School and action moves over to The Hoop, with the 17U Open Championship game taking place at 12:30 pm on Memorial Day.
