Zachary Lyon:
Future150 Regional Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball: NC, SC & VA
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- The 16U division featured teams from four different states and saw the Birmingham Blue Devils take home the 16U gold division title, while LODA fought hard on their way to capturing the 16U silver title. Which players stood out during the weekend?
Isaiah Johnson, 2019 PG, Chattanooga Elite Grey (TN): Johnson doesn't have the most intimidating size or strength as a point guard, but his three point jumper and slashing abilities were killing opposing teams all weekend. HIs ability to stop on a dime in transition and drain the pull up jumper from anywhere, along with his speed and slashing abilities made the defense always unsure of what he was going to do. Without a doubt one of the most exciting players to watch in the 16U division.
Larenz Williams, 2019 PG, New Loveleans Eagles (LA): Williams is a 6-foot-4 inch athlete who is skilled and can flat out score the rock. He scored on all three levels and rebounded the ball well on both ends of the floor. His slashing abilities and craftiness at the rim is what makes him special. Long, athletic and super competitive are attributes that make any coach want his college prospect on their team. He single handily at times took over the game and tried to will his team to victory. Solid overall performance on the weekend.
Mie'Chel Brooks, 2019 PG, LODA (AL): Brooks plays a uptempo game and likes to put an enormous amount of pressure on the defense when the ball is in his hands. He can get downhill on you in two steps. He did most of his damange on the fastbreak where he was getting to the rim. If you leave him open he can knock down the open jumper with regularity. Solid overall performance helping his team to the Silver division championship.
CJ Wright, 2019 SG, Flatline Ballerz (GA): Wright's elite handles and scoring abilties were on full display all weekend and is one of the big reasons why his squad made it to the 16U gold division title game before falling short to the Birmingham Blue Devils. There were not many defenders that could stay in front of him when he was getting to the basket. He got to the line on a consistent basis and did plenty of damage from beyond the three point line as well.
Bobo Hodges, 2019 SG, Tennessee Legends (TN): Hodges was arguably the best overall scorer and two guard prospect in the 16U division. The six-foot scoring guard uses his fantastic ball-handling abilties, speed, and finishing abiltiies to score in a variety of ways. His shooting from mid-range and three point land are more than efficient but he is at his best, and is super exciting to watch, when he's in attack mode and looking to drive the lane and finish at the rim. It's hard to argue against Hodges as a low major prospect.
Javien Sewell, 2019 SF, Birmingham Blue Devils (AL): Sewell is undersized at 6'1" on the wing, but he makes up for it with his athleticism and high motor. He was typically the Blue Devils leading rebounder and got his fair share of and-one's throughout the weekend as he was using his upper body strength to finish through contact consistently. Sewell is definitely one of those players that you always have to have on the floor because he offers so much and plays so hard. A few more inches of growth and a more developed perimeter game would help him max out his potential.
Markevion Harrell, 2019 PG, Jaguars Elite (MS): Harrell was one of the best pure shooters in the 16U division, as he had many games where he made three or more three pointers. He showcased his great court vision in the half court setting, and he didn't have the greatest speed or the quickest first step, but he used his ball-handling abilities to weave his way through the defense and get to the basket on multiple occasions.
Trey Davis, 2019 PG, New Loveleans Eagles (LA): Davis is extremely quick, solid on ball defender and gets his hands on a ton of ball. He uses his burst to get anywhere on the floor when creating for his teammates. The fastbreak is his friend and the lead guard thrives when he's in the open court. If you leave him open he showed that he can make shots. His size might make you think he can't play but don't let that fool you this point guard can make plays.
Michael Rogers, 2019 G/F, Tuscaloosa Rams (AL): Rogers is built like a linebacker or a running back, but on the basketball court he's a phenomenal shooter. Not only was he letting it fly from deep, but he was using his strong frame to get into the lane and draw contact on multiple occasions. He was filling the score column up for the Rams all throughout the weekend, and he was always playing with great energy no matter what was going on during the game.
Parker Godwin, 2021 CG, Bama Sting (AL): Playing two age divisions up, Godwin proved he belonged on Sunday during bracket play as he drained 7 three pointers and scored 27 points to help his team advance to the 16U silver title game by defeating the Alabama Flames. Standing around 5'10", he has a beautiful jumper and was always making the corrects passes on the offensive end. After his breakout performance this weekend, he should definitely be watched closely over the course of first high school season coming up.
Heath Phillips, 2019 PG, Bama Sting (AL): Phillips is a lead guard that does it all for his team. He can score on all three levels and makes all of his teammates better when the ball is in his hands. When you think Mr. Hustle look no further due to he never gives up on a play. He competes hard to the final buzzer and makes plays all over the court. Knocking down shots, playing full court defense or rebounding the ball you will not find someone that competes harder than Phillips. Solid overall performance on the weekend.
Tacarius Buford, 2019 PG, LODA (AL): The MVP of the 16U silver division title game, Buford willed his team to the win by dropping 30 points and playing stout defense against a Bama Sting team that has a talented backcourt. His electric knack for scoring, solid rebounding abiltiies, and super quick first step makes him an intriguing D2/NAIA prospect. It will be fun to see how Buford continues to develop as he heads into his junior high school season.
RJ Harrington, 2019 PG, Alabama Elite Warriors (AL): Harrington's true lead guard skills is what was most impressive throughout the weekend. He is more than capable of scoring from all three levels, but affects the game in so many more ways. His vocal leadership, court vision, and great feel and understanding of the game is one of the main reasons his squad enjoyed a successful weekend. Keep an eye on the 5'9" floor general heading forward as he could be a great addition to a NAIA level program one day.
Jonathan Scarbrough, 2019 SG, Alabama Flames (AL): The 6'0" two guard had a monster game during pool play on Saturday pouring in 29 points while scoring from all three levels. His length indicates he may be in store for another growth spurt which would be great to see. Once he gets a bit better on the defensive end, and maybe grows a few more inches, Scarbrough could be looking like a very intriguing college prospect.
Will Johns, 2019 SG, Memphis Brethren Hoops (TN): Johns has good size at 6'2", and he can flat out shoot the rock. His stroke is very fundamental and he also showcased good rebounding abilties for a guard. His slashing and driving side of his game leaves something to be desired, but if he has any room to get off a jumper you better believe it has a good shot of going in. With a little more growth, muscle, and skill development Johns could possibly play his way into being a high end D2/low major prospect.
Comments:
Be the first to post. Just use the form below.