SPOTLIGHT
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Mulkey joins USA U16 Women's Team after McCoy withdraws due to injury: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- After training for three days as an alternate for the 2013 USA Basketba…
Seeing Double: USA U16 Men wipe out Mexico as seven hit for double figures: MALDONADO, Uruguay - There are lopsided victories and then there was Tuesday's mother-of-all victori…
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California Dreamin': Johnson earns Pangos Camp MVP; Mudiay a magnificent talent :                                                                                              …
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USA U16 roster finalized; McCoy, Samuelson will don Red, White and Blue jersey: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- And the verdict is in. What began with 124 wannabes at the U.S. Olympic …
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Nike Nationals

Nike Nationals (4)

Nike Nationals II


NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Often events at the end of the month are revealing as to who really has game and who might have been a one or two event flash in the pan.  Contrary to what some of the whiners out there are claiming, the recruiting road in July is hardly the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest.  In fact, playing in four separate four day tournaments means just 16 days of play in 25, including five consecutive days off in the middle.  It’s hard to imagine that kind of schedule being too demanding for any athlete on an elite level in any sport.  The good players are still delivering come the end of the month and an event like Nike Nationals brings out the best in them. 

Last week’s annual Hatfield and McCoy showdown of all the Nike programs may have come and gone but there are still a few tales to tell from the Swoosh’s summer finale.  Tom Insell and his Flight program may have taken home top honors in the championship bracket as well as the junior division but there were plenty of other players and teams worth taking note of.

If you missed our first coverage from Augusta, follow the link below to read about Flight’s championship game as well as some elite players in supporting cast roles.

http://bluestarmedia.org/index.php/component/k2/item/289-flight-rules-augusta

Thought’s and Observations

First off, you have to tip your hat to the Boo Williams squad that fell to Greenwell, Davis and the rest of the Flight in Tuesday’s championship game.  No one team may have steadily improved as much as this group did over the course of the spring and summer.  In April anyone who made the prediction that they would be in the finals at the end of July would have plenty of takers on any wager as to that thought actually becoming a reality.  Consistency from Jatarie White (2014 – Charlotte, N.C.), improved play from Adrienne Motley (2013 – Newport News, Va.), advancements from Dejanae Boykin (Springdale, Md.) as well as the penetrating attack of both Ataijah Taylor (2013  - Roanoke, Va.) and Feyonda Fitzgerald (2013 – Norfolk, Va.) led to a great stretch run.

As long as we’re tipping hats, how about one to Kimberly Davis Powell for the job she did with Essence in leading them to the Silver bracket championship.  Essence rode the roller coaster this summer and KDP is one of the coaches not afraid to sacrifice a game or a tournament in an effort to do what we see much too little of…teach.  Seeing that approach lead to a couple of good wins to finish the summer is a testament to the right thing paying off once in a while.

The “Junior” Bracket

There were plenty of great match ups and games in the aptly named junior bracket won by the Tennessee Flight.  I say aptly named since 55 percent (11 of 202) of the players listed on the rosters are going to be juniors when school opens this fall.  None the less, several teams were impressive and featured some talented younger players.

Flight’s win came behind the play of several players.  Rachel Bell (2014 – Cumberland Furnace, Tenn.) could have played for many of the teams in the event’s top division.  The 5-9 guard has the skills and athleticism as well as good instincts and court intelligence.  Emily Eubank (2014 – Lascassas, Tenn.) is in the same mold as Bell and possesses sharp ballhandling and passing skills as a 5-9 point.  We’ve seen Shelbie Davenport (2014 – Murfreesboro, Tenn.) in the past and the 6-0 forward continues to deliver solid, consistent performances.  Shelby Gibson (2016 – Murfreesboro, Tenn.) is a solid 6-1 post who had some moments down low and finished well.

The Boo Williams team was led by a dynamic young guard in Taja Cole (2015 – Richmond, Va.).  The 5-7 point guard is quick and attacking with some acceleration that would make an NFL tailback envious.  There’s still a lot of maturing and development to come in her court game and decision making but lot of potential was on display. Janeen Camp (2016 – Portsmouth, Va.) is a big, young 6-1 prospect worth keeping an eye on as well.

The Philadelphia Belles made a solid run in the semifinals of bracket play before falling to Boo Williams.  Guard Alexandria Louin (2014 – Doylestown, Pa.), point guards Adrianna Hahn (2015 – Wilmington, Del.) and Tamesha Alexander (2014 – Philadelphia, Pa.) as well as forwards Kennedy Johnson (2014 – Galloway, N.J.) and Khalia Prather (2014 – Waldorf, Md.) all had their moments for the Belles.

The Fairfax Stars were one of the youngest squads in the “Junior” division and had a couple of eye catchers in uniform.  Stephanie Jones (2016 – Havre De Grace, Md.) is a very impressive and multi-talented swing player.  The size is there to work at the forward spot but the skills are in place to make an impact on the perimeter.  Kortni Simmons (2015 – Spotsylvania, Va.) played a smart, aggressive game pushing the ball and demonstrating sharp vision and decision making.  For good measure she takes that aggressiveness to the defensive end of the floor as well.  

Quick Hitters on Some More Standouts

Watching 6-2 Haley Lorenzen (2014 – Iowa City, Iowa) of the All Iowa Attack is like watching a time lapse photo of a plant growing.  You can almost see the advancements in her game from event to event.  The confidence with which she’s playing is evident and her attack is becoming more of a reaction than a thought which is really bad news for defenders.  She posts hard, reads well and uses her solid lower body strength.  The best is yet to come.

Yes, everyone has heard of Katie Lou Samuelson (2015 – Fullerton, Calif.) and the 6-3 guard has proven why she’s been on the radar almost as long as both of her established and well known older sisters.  At the same time it’s hard to ignore an elite player who continues to add to her game and develop her skills despite already being among the class’s elite.  Samuelson is now making more and more instinctual plays off the drive and reading in traffic while reacting to contact.  Considering she’s already a nightmare from downtown, opponents should be thrilled about this aspect of her play.

Cy-Fair always has something up their sleeve in terms of young talent and it was easy to see what Al Coleman likes about Kennedy Leonard (2015 – Southlake, Texas).  Having first watched her a year ago and seeing where she is now tells us this young combo guard is on the rise.  At 5-9 her size is solid and the speed is there.  Both combine with some sharp ballhandling and passing skills that allow her to create both shots and passes.  She’ll need to be more assertive on the defensive end and adaptable to physical play but lots of tools are in place.

The youngest member of Essence’s Silver bracket championship roster is 6-1 Zada Williams (2015 – Babson Park, Fla.).  Long and lean in her build, Williams is active both in the halfcourt and transition.  All of her movement is fluid yet still has an athletic explosiveness to it.  She gets off the floor well and adding to that is her ability to extend and make plays while keeping the ball high.  She’ll need to be more of a factor on the block to give her a more complete game but ultimately she’ll be comfortable and at home as a forward.

If the summer had lasted much longer there’s no telling where the Georgia Metro’s Dekeiya Cohen (2014 – Charleston, S.C.) might have taken her game.  The 6-1 forward seemed to take her play to another level each time she put on the uniform.  In Augusta, she seemed more comfortable and there was a willingness to attack that was much greater than she had previously shown.  Of course the Metros were without Allisha Gray (USA Basketball) and Marqu’Es Webb (Knee) but Cohen proved she was equally adept at producing against even the best competition.  Off the drive she handled traffic and contact while finishing or finding her way to the line.  Defensively she was active and got both touches and blocks while also coming up with more than her share of boards.  The line at her door should be getting longer.

Michigan Crossover had a good run in pool play as a result of several players stepping up at the right time.  However, it’s still difficult not to acknowledge the standout play and potential of Antania Hayes (2013 – Detroit, Mich.).  One of the most active and dynamic athletes on hand in Augusta, Hayes makes plays on both ends from tip to buzzer.  She’s become more and more assertive with the ball and is creating her own looks much more efficiently.  Hayes is a presence on the boards and an intimidating element in defensive rotations.  If her perimeter shot develops more consistency she could be the steal of the class. 

Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown has had a growing smile all summer.  It may have a lot to do with the verbal commitment he received a while back from North Tartan’s 6-1 Nia Coffey (2013 – New Hope, Minn.).  From back at the USA Basketball trials in May through their last game at Nike Nationals Coffey demonstrated a high level game that kept on progressing each time out.  By last week she was a dominant factor regardless of the opponent and doesn’t appear to be done yet.  Combining size and athleticism she can be a factor offensively and makes an enormous impact as a shot blocker.  Lots more to come.

Another player from the “Junior” division that is worth watching closely is Madison Springfield (2016 – Jaffrey, N.H.) of the New England Crusaders.  The 5-10 combo first caught our attention last month at the USJN Hershey event and continues to offer up the play that should have plenty of recruiters keeping track of her progress.  Possessing good size on the perimeter, she’s skilled and utilizing a first step that creates her penetration time and again.  The form is there on her shot and she can finish in traffic.  There’s already a maturity to her game that should place her in a position to take her game where she wants.

It would be hard for the Gauchos to consider their trip to Augusta a success based on court performance.  At the same time, 6-0 forward Zaire O’Neil (2014 – Newark, N.J.) may have found the upward side of her roller coaster play of the summer.  Physically strong and explosive in her attack, O’Neil utilized both a spin move and an explosive first step to get past defenders almost at will.  She got deep in the paint again and again but still struggled to find consistency in her finish around the rim.  Defensively her willingness to play physical and mix things up has her well prepared for the next level.  With two more years of high school she’ll need to smooth out her production to be at her best but that “best” can be pretty good. 

While the Philadelphia Belles struggled to find chemistry among their talented roster several individuals still had some moments.  Well known Tyshell King (2013 – Baltimore, Md.) and A’Lexus Harrison (2013 – Baltimore, Md.) as well as Kelly Hughes (2013 – Point Pleasant, N.J.) and Megan Quinn (2013 – Berwyn, Pa.) all stood out at times but another senior to be offered flashes of her own.  Isis Thorpe (2013 – Reading, Pa.) is a 5-7 combo that can be an impact player at times and if she can find consistency to that play might offer something special to one of the schools interested in her future.  She can get to the rim at will but also has the ability to pull up and spot up deep on the perimeter.  On ball Thorpe can be a strong, assertive defender but on the weakside she has a tendency to be ball oriented.  Just tapping into her potential.  

Ring City’s Taylor Rooks (2014 – Warren, N.J.) was a factor for opponents to deal with each time out.  Despite spending a majority of her time down on the block, Rooks was efficient and consistent in her scoring production.  The added size and strength the 6-0 swing player now brings to the floor makes her a challenging match up for opponents.  While she can finish around the rim, the capability is still there to attack off the drive or to be a factor on the break.  Very well suited for the college game and still has two more scholastic seasons in front of her.

Brian Crichlow and his West Coast Premier made a run to the Gold bracket semifinals with substantial contributions from several different players on their roster.  One that stood out on several occasions was 6-1 Amy Okonkwo (2014 – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.).  This active and aggressive power forward has a presence both on the block and from the elbows.  She reads well on the catch and has a deceiving first step once she decides to attack.  Defensively she’s willing to mix things up but often defends after the catch rather than taking away the entry pass.  Could really evolve, keep watching.

It’s easy to talk about all the big names on the Tennessee Flight’s roster and we wrote up high impact utility player Olivia Jones in our first coverage.  But it would be wrong to finish this article without mentioning the contributions and quality of play of Nina Davis (2013 – Memphis, Tenn.).  While almost always seen as a perimeter player on any roster or recruiting list (and even the Flight roster!), the 6-0 Davis made a living down low for Flight in Augusta and throughout the summer.  There’s nothing flashy or extraordinary about her low post effort other than she either finished or got to the line at virtually every opportunity.  Bigger still in Flight’s success was Davis’s rebounding which would have made Dennis Rodman proud.  Long term she still may find a home at the #3 but the flexibility to take a smaller match up to the block could make her a real commodity.

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Flight Rules Augusta

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – For the seventh straight year the long summer recruiting trail came to an end with the basketball version of Family Feud as Nike’s top team’s did battle once again for their annual bragging rights.  And, for the third time in five years, Tom Insell’s Tennessee Flight were the last ones standing.  Just for good measure, the Flight were also celebrating a win in the Junior Division and the claim to the first ever Nike double championship.  While it was a great event for the teams from Boo Williams as well, they have the unfortunate distinction of being runner up to the Flight in both categories.

Both teams moved into Tuesday afternoon’s Gold bracket championship following morning semifinal wins with the Flight getting by the West Coast Premier and Boo Williams taking down North Tartan.  Boo got off to a quick start in the championship game and held a three point edge before Rebecca Greenwell (2013 – Owensboro, Ky.) shifted into high gear and outscored the opposition 17 – 10 by herself while leading Flight to a 31 – 27 lead at the half.  Both teams traded punches throughout the second half and Boo twice was within four down the stretch.  While Flight was able to score effectively they also committed more than their share of turnovers and conceded 22 offensive rebounds that let the crew from Virginia hang around to the very end. Greenwell led the way in the 68 – 61 win finishing with 22 while Boo was led by Adrienne Motley (2013 – Newport News, Va.) with 15 and Feyonda Fitzgerald (2013 – Norfolk, Va.) with 14 of her own.

As mentioned earlier the Flight’s team in the Junior Division took the title with their own 62 -54 win over Boo Williams in a game that went down to the final possessions.  In the Silver bracket championship contest Essence took down the nation’s best 5-10 and under team, Cy-Fair, by a score of 58-50.  Essence made their way to the final by virtue of Ieshia Small’s three at the buzzer in a 50-48 semifinal match up with the Fairfax Stars while Cy-Fair edged the All-Iowa attack 48-43.

As always plenty of talent was on hand.  Some were the high profile prospects that over 300 college coaches were on hand to check out and others were busy catching the eye of those recruiters and making a name for themselves.  We thought we would take a look at a few of the supporting cast members who may well be leading role players down the line.  Check back with Blue Star Media for more Nike Nationals standouts later this week.

Letting the stars be the Stars While Being a Top Prospect Themselves

In this category it would be inappropriate to start anywhere but the top with the Tennessee Flight.  Yes, they’ve got Kaela Davis, Rebecca Greenwell and Alexa Middleton, but they’ve also got Olivia Jones (2013 – Murfreesboro, Tenn.).  Coach Tom Insell says she “just might be the MVP of the whole thing.”  Bound for Middle Tennessee State to play for Insell’s father Rick, Jones contributes in virtually any way that a player can.  At 5-8 she’s the size of a guard but has the strength and willingness to mix things up of a player considerably bigger.  She effective with the ball in her hands both in facilitating her high scoring teammate’s offense but also in creating her own opportunities.  She can score around the rim or step out and knock down the open look from the perimeter.  At the same time she excels at simply making plays.  Whether it’s on the boards, holding her ground defending mismatches on the block, or coming up with loose balls and clearing her space, she’s your girl. Jones is the kind of player you would much rather play with than play against. 

Cy-Fair, despite being undersized in the height department, has their own high profile prospects in point guards Tyler Scaife and Brooke McCarty.  Playing the forward spot but in reality being a very talented and multidimensional guard herself is 5-10 Brianna Taylor (2013 - Houston, Texas).  To say that Taylor lays it all on the line would be a tremendous disservice to her.  There are few players who put their heart, soul and body into almost every play on both ends.  She’s physical, aggressive and to top it off, relentless.  Despite playing out of position she was sound defensively and more than held her own with players with more size and bulk.  Her natural guard skills came out several times in transition or when she became an option in the high post.  Her first step is explosive and her speed is deceiving for a player of any position.  Her physical strength and assertive approach will serve her well when she assumes her true backcourt spot.  She can defend #1 through #4 and is a match up nightmare for almost any opposing team.  Taylor is anything but a sleeper and she’s an asset for any uniform she puts on.

If you’re watching Boo Williams play it’s easy to appreciate Adrienne Motley and Jatarie White as well as Dejanae Boykin.  You can’t help but notice Ataijah Taylor or Feyonda Fitzgerald as well.  You might want to look a little closer at Chelsey Romero (2013 – Hampton, Va.).  This 6-1 post has more than her share of moments down on the block and is creating her own looks with confidence.  She’s got both the size and build to hold her own with bigger opponents but the agility to move with smaller, quicker forwards.  She’s active and looking for the ball both posted up or on reversals.  Romero has the mobility to run the floor and force opposing defenders to keep up with her.  She works hard on the glass and has no reservations about pushing back when the shoving begins.  There are still some rough edges to refine and depth to add to her offensive skill set but she looks to be just tapping into some real potential. 

Essence is led by ultra-impressive Ieshia Small and inconsistent but talented Shayla Cooper.  The also get a lot of mileage out of versatile 5-10 guard Brandy Montgomery (2013 – Port St. Lucie, Fla.).  Easy to notice with the goggles that she wears, Montgomery seems to be everywhere on the floor.  She’s active in transition and in the halfcourt both on the cut or the catch.  The shot and touch are inconsistent at this point but she gets some open looks through sheer effort and the possibilities are there.  Defensively she’s a strong on ball defender with impressive lateral speed.  The hands lead to plenty of touches, tips and steals and she’s a strong perimeter presence on the boards.  Coach Kimberly Powell got on her hard in a poor performance and she took it well and responded.  Montgomery is the kind of player whose effort can be contagious.

It’s hard to look at the Cal Storm’s Kendall Waters (2013 – San Ramon, Calif.) and think of her as anyone’s supporting cast.  Lining up with the likes of Kendall Cooper, Oderah Chidom and Gabby Green just makes it hard for anyone to take notice of the 6-2 forward first.  It’s not that they shouldn’t.  She has been on the radar for quite some time and has shown lots of versatility in her game over the years.  Waters is most likely a “true” forward that happens to possess some perimeter skills.  At this point the #3 would be a stretch but she can create off the one dribble drive and has the footwork and agility to be a challenging match up for opposing bigs.  Her strength and power game are tools she should call on more often and used to set up the rest of the diversity in her play.  On the defensive end that same physical presence serves her well and allows her to be effective in her match up and in weakside rotations.  Her potential is still just barely tapped into but in recruiting it’s about the all about the future and her’s could be a bright one.

If you don’t enjoy watching the All Iowa Attack in action you don’t like textbook basketball played with a lot of effort.  Iowa State bound Jada Buckley and Oklahoma commit Shaya Kellog may personify the All Iowa team but it’s hard not to include future Iowa Hawkeye Ally Disterhoft (2013 – North Liberty, Iowa) in any conversation about this team.  Calling her active is an understatement.  At 6-0 she is a constant threat with the ball in her hands and equally a challenge running the lanes on the break or cutting in a halfcourt set.  Her first step is deceptive and leaves many defenders looking to recover and the ballhandling is there to navigate traffic and get to the rim.  Her length makes her a strong on ball defender and allows her to contain smaller and quicker opponents.  She’s on the lean side at this point but time and the strength coaches in Iowa City should help her with that.

Watching GSB it’s inevitable that the Wiese and Reese show is going to catch your eye. (Sydney and Mikayla)   Look a little closer and check out 6-1 Katherine Werner (2013 – Phoenix, Ariz.).  This 6-1 forward has no “flash” to her game or bells and whistles to her offensive repertoire but what she does have is effectiveness and productivity.  Werner just goes about her business with a simple and aggressive approach that includes absolutely no hesitation about getting physical or getting on the floor.  She plays a fundamental game that compliments the dynamic backcourt duo she plays with.  She works well in a guard oriented offense and her strong rebounding effort triggers the GSB transition efforts.  Her own scoring is efficient around the rim but the touch and stroke are there as well mid-range out to the high post.  The footspeed isn’t going to “wow” anyone but the willingness to put a body on someone and her ability to read and anticipate make her a sound defender.

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Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (Day 4)

NORTH AUGUSTA, Ga. – The comparisons were inevitable. Suddenly North America has a new prep basketball messiah.

But even the latest sensation from the prep hardwood, no less a Canadian, could not deliver his team to the Promised Land on Sunday at the Riverview Park Activities Center.

Andrew Wiggins of the CIA Bounce, the 6-foot-8 rising junior from Huntington (W.Va.) Prep via Windsor, Ontario (across the river/border from Detroit, Mich.), produced a monster game in the 17U final of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. Wiggins had 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks but the balanced Oakland Soldiers prevailed, 51-50.

In the end, the California club soldiered through a late CIA run that made it 50-47 late. Wiggins committed a costly foul with 1.9 seconds left and Jabari Bird dropped in two of three free throws to give the 8-0 Soldiers the coveted championship.

Wiggins, with a superlative effort throughout the tournament, may have emerged as the nation’s top player. He’s undoubtedly the top recruit in the Class of 2014. With senior Jabari Parker of Chicago hobbled by a foot injury and unable to play on the circuit, it was Wiggins’ time to shine.

Several notable evaluators were quick to say he’s approaching the level of LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the game’s next great player.

We’ll reserve judgment but after a stretch of eight games, where carried his team, Wiggins is in the conversation. He’s one sinewy bundle of talent and kinetic energy that is a must-see recruit.

CIA’s Tyler Ennis (nine points) and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (five) – a pair of surefire high major recruits – were subpar. Wiggins accounted for 46% of the offense.

Aaron Gordon (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Stanley Johnson (15 points, six rebounds) combined for 31 points and 21 boards while Bird added nine points.

The Soldiers trailed, 27-18, at halftime and withstood a 21-5 tear by CIA to pull it out in the waning seconds.

Top performances

There were six games played in the quarterfinals and semis before the climatic finish to the 17U EYBL final. Here’s a look at a few.

Missouri State-bound guard Austin Ruder of Nixa (Mo.) clicked for 18 points, canning 4 of 9 three-pointers, but MoKan (Kansas City, Mo.) lost to CIA, 81-67, in the semifinals. Tyler Ennis scored 22 points for the winners and Andrew Wiggins had 23 points and six rebounds.

Greg McClinton, a hard-working forward for CP3 (Winston-Salem, N.C.) had 16 points and eight rebounds but the Oakland Soldiers won, 55-53, in the other semifinal game. Theo Pinson was limited to nine points in the loss.

Semi Ojeleye, a 6-7 forward from Ottawa (Kan.) scored 33 points (on 10 of 16 shooting), grabbed eight rebounds and drained four three-pointers as MoKan outlasted The Family (Detroit), 81-77, in the quarterfinals. Elbert Matthews scored 23 points for the Michigan club.

Tyus Smith of Apple Valley (Minn.) had game-high 28 points for Howard Pulley but the Oakland Soldiers won, 58-56. Jabari Bird provided 19 points in victory.

JaQuel Richmond had 17 points, including a trio of three-pointers, as CP3 eliminated E1T1, 86-80. Joel Berry scored 22 points for E1T1.

In the 16U championship, King McClure came off the bench to drop in 26 points. Lifting Team Texas Titans over Southern Stampede, 66-65. McClure added five steals and four rebounds and made 9 of 10 free throws. McClure, a 6-3 rising sophomore from Triple A Academy (Dallas, Texas), is being recruited by schools such as North Carolina, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Texas and Kentucky.

Ahmed Hill of Aquinas (Augusta, Ga.) scored 18 points for the Stampede. Hill is a 6-4 rising junior wing guard from a local Catholic high school and has several SEC, Big East and ACC schools sniffing. Both instate schools Georgia and Georgia Tech have offered.

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Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (Day 3)

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Andrew Wiggins vs. Julius Randle … the mano-a-mano battle surpassed the hype. Many are calling it one of the great club circuit games they’ve witnessed.

CIA Bounce rallied in the second half, forcing overtime and taking a thrilling 81-80 victory over the Team Texas Titans on Friday night Riverview Park Activities Center in the 17U bracket of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.

The victory clinched a berth in the quarterfinals for the Canadians but the Texans are hanging by a thread needing a win on Saturday morning.

The duel between the top rising senior and junior packed the court as coaches and spectators squeezed into every inch to witness summer basketball history.

Randle, the 6-foot-10 senior center from Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, didn’t put up the big numbers but finished with 15 points (7 of 12 shooting), 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Wiggins, a spitfire junior forward from Windsor, Ontario and plays at Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, lit up the Texans for 28 points (12 of 26 shooting), 13 rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes.

When the Titans grabbed a 34-25 lead at the break, CIA refused to lose, forcing the extra session.

Additionally, it’s hard to believe but a few regulars were kicked to the curb Friday, sending waves through the 17U EYBL bracket. Bid an adieu to Boo Williams, BABC, California Supreme, Indy Spiece and Baltimore Elite. All were eliminated from the quarters but could be spoilers on Saturday.

Setting up Saturday

It’s a wild finish here at the Riverview Park Activities Center and nearly all 12 of the 17U EYBL games will impact the final standings and who will qualify for the playoff spots. Three tickets have been punched already as CP3 All-Stars, Oakland Soldiers and CIA Bounce are all 4-0 heading into their final pool games.

In Pool C, CIA is in but three teams at 2-2 are vying for the second automatic berth to the quarterfinals. Team Texas Titans and Mac Irvin Fire meet at 10:30 while Howard Pulley needs to avoid an upset against BABC at noon.

In Pool B, Oakland Soldiers are in but could drop to second place if they lose to Team United (3-1) at 9 a.m. If the Soldiers win and N.J. Playaz beat winless Boo Williams at noon, the Playaz advance.

Pools A and D are up in the air, with CIA the only guarantee out of A. At 9, Mean Streets and The Family battle in Pool D, while MoKan and Arkansas Wings are tussling at noon in A. Should be quite a finish.

Top Performers

Each session there were superlative efforts and here are a few from the morning games.

Lennard Freeman, a 6-foot-8 forward from Team Takeover registered a double-double, 11 points and 13 rebounds, and blocked three shots in a 78-72 win over Mean Streets. Freeman, a rising senior from St. John’s (Washington, D.C.), had a breakout game in front of several prominent coaches, including Pitt’s Jamie Dixon, VCU’s Shaka Smart, Marquette’s Buzz Williams and Ohio State’s Thad Matta.

Reggie Cameron had 21 point on 8 of 19 shooting and grabbed five rebounds propelling N.J. Playaz over Team United, 72-46.

In the top game of the session, Tyus Jones of Howard Pulley (Minn.) put on a show with 27 points (11 of 19 shooting), four rebounds, eight assist and only two turnovers in 32 minutes in a 74-65 win over Team Texas Titans. Stud center Julius Randle had 31 points and 17 rebounds in a loss.

Rene Castro helped BABC (Boston, Mass.) win its first game, rallying from 11 points at halftime, to record a 62-60 triumph over Wisconsin Playground. Castro is a 6-1 rising senior from Worcester (Mass.) Academy and dropped in several crucial late free throws.

Kameron Williams scored 24 points and snared 10 rebounds as The Family tipped Baltimore Elite, 78-71.

Theo Pinson flipped in 23 points, making 9 of 10 shots, and added three rebounds and two assists as CP3 (N.C.) eliminated California Supreme, 75-71.

Tyler Ennis had 21 points (7 of 10 shooting), four rebounds and three assists for CIA Bounce (Toronto, Ontario) ripped Mac Irvin Fire (Chicago), 85-68. Sterling Brown had 19 points and nine boards in the loss.

The evening session had plenty action as 6-9 Bobby Portis off Hall (Little Rock, Ar.) struck for 17 points, hitting 8 of 9 shots, eight assists and four rebounds as the Arkansas Wings clipped Bluff City Legends, 63-51. The win keeps the Wings alive at 2-2. Portis has verballed to Arkansas.

B.J. Johnson, a 6-7 rising senior from Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pa.) pumped in 18 points and grabbed six rebounds helping Team Final over the N.J. Playaz, 53-48. Johnson has offers from Boston College and Penn State.

The Wisconsin Playground finally recorded a victory in a border war during an n 83-77 upset over Howard Pulley (Minneapolis). Duane Wilson Jr. of Dominican (Milwaukee) hit for 29 points (5 of 8 three-pointers), three assists and two steals.  Wilson is a 6-3 rising senior headed for Marquette. Tyus Jones produced a 31-point, 10-assist double-double in the loss.

Joel Berry, who captured gold earlier this month with the USA Basketball 17U Team at the FIBA World Championships, had 20 points (sinking all 12 free throws), eight assists and three boards as E1T1 topped the previously undefeated Family (Detroit), 86-77. Family’s Elbert “EC” Matthews of Romulus (Mich.) had 27 points.

Keith Frazier scored 27 points as the Houston Hoops dumped winless California Supreme, 75-62.

Kennedy Meeks had 13 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks as Team United held off Indy Spiece, 64-61.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes contributed 22 points (with four three-pointers) as CIA Bounce beat Team Texas Titans in overtime. Matthew Jones had 26 points and four rebounds in a loss.

Nigel Hayes’ 15-point, 13-rebound performance boosted All Ohio Red over Mean Streets, 73-69.

Diante Baldwin flipped in 17 points, sinking 8 of 9 shots, as CPC (Winston-Salem, N.C.) stopped MoKan, 60-57.

Aaron Gordon, a rising senior forward from Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) had 18 points and 12 rebounds leading the Oakland Soldiers over Boo Williams, 60-53.

17U Standings (after four games)

Pool A: CP3 All-Stars 4-0; MoKan Elite 3-1, Houston Hoops 3-1, Arkansas Wings 2-2, Bluff City Legends 0-4, California Supreme 0-4. Pool B: Oakland Soldiers 4-0, Team United 3-1, N.J. Playaz 2-2, Team Final 2-2, Indy Spiece 1-3, Boo Williams 0-4. Pool C: CIA Bounce 4-0, Team Texas Titans 2-2, Howard Pulley 2-2, Mac Irvin Fire 2-2, , BABC 1-3, Wisconsin Playground 1-3. Pool D: E1T1 3-1, The Family 3-1, All Ohio Red 2-2, Mean Streets 2-2, Team Takeover 1-3; Baltimore Elite 0-4.

The top two teams in each pool advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals, tipping at 6 p.m. The semifinals are Sunday morning; the championship game follows at 3 p.m.

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