Future150 Birmingham Main Event: 13U Recap
by Zachary Lyon, Future150 (4:22 PM CT, Fri May 6, 2016)

Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- Future150 kicked off the annual Main Event Tournament in Birmingham this past weekend and saw over 125 teams from 8 different states competing.

The 13U Division saw plenty of versatile players along with smooth shooting guards and rim protecting big men. At the end of the weekend the Jackson Lakers Elite took home the gold division championship while Powerhouse ran away with the silver championship. Both teams had some very good young talent.

Jackson Lakers Elite had a very balanced squad that could get up and down the court and score in a hurry. Jaylen Bolden and Joseph Dupree provided a very nice backcourt-frontcourt duo that, in the end, teams couldn't handle. Bolden could handle the ball very well and had the abilities to score on all three levels. While Dupree provided big time efforts on the glass and rim protection.  

It was almost the same success story for the silver champions as well. Kendall Mabson and Jalen Stewart proved to be a big time frontcourt-backcourt combo that teams couldn't handle. Mabson, standing at 6-foot-2 inches, played the four most of the weekend and controlled the glass on both ends. His ability to run the floor and create second chances were big for this Powerhouse team. On the other hand you have Stewart who could shoot the ball from deep with confidence and had very good instincts on both ends of the floor.

Here are some other top performers from the weekend: 

Terrance Ruffin, 2021 C, Louisiana Bulls: Ruffin was a workhorse on the boards and in the paint on both ends of the floor. His footwork while working on the post was quite impressive for a 7th grader. There's no telling how many times Ruffin grabbed a tough offensive rebound and put it back up for a deuce. Ruffin is one of those guys that kind of have to be on the floor for your team to succeed. 

Andre Raymond, 2021 SF, Louisiana Bulls: Raymond showed off his playmaking abilities at the wing position. He was able to put the ball on the floor and lead the break after a rebound as well as making some great passes in the half court. He was relentless and never stopped until the play was dead. His mid-range shooting was also a nice touch to top off his offensive skill set. 

Jamari Wilson, 2021 PG, Rocket City Pride: Despite his lack of size and strength, standing just 5'4, Wilson still found ways to make plays on and off the ball. His defense was very solid as he usually always kept his man in front of him and made sure the only way an opponent would score would be if they shot over the top of him. His scoring and passing abilties were solid and Wilson should only improve and get better from here. 

Savion Jones, 2021 SG, Rocket City Pride: Jones made for a good backcourt mate with Wilson as he seemed to have stronger scoring abilities and quicker handles. Jones main focus going forward should be continuing to work on his consistency with his jumper as well as finishing through contact in the lane. 

Carlito Tuggle, 2021 PG, DMG Elite: Tuggle was easily my favorite floor general I watched all weekend. The 5'1 assassin was lightning bolt in the fastbreak and had some ridiculous handles. His court vision may have been the best among players in the 12U, 13U, and 14U divisions. Even though Tuggle was dropping dimes left and right, he also was very impressive finishing through contact despite his lack of size. Big time weekend for Tuggle and he seems poised to be a special player if he is blessed with a big growth spurt. 

Tariq Mason, 2021 C, DMG Elite: One of the better defensive players in the 13U division, Mason protected the glass all weekend long and showed a little bit of versatility by being able to guard the three and four spot as well. He scored most of his points off second chance oppurtunities but showed glimpses of a nice back to the basket game. Like his teammate Tuggle, if Mason is blessed with another growth spurt he could be special. 

Trakalab Welch, 2021 PF, Meridian Outlaws: Welch was a fantastic rebounder on both ends of the floor and made some great passes in the half court setting. He is one of the few players his age that can really excel and have a effect on the game without having the ball in his hands that much. Very solid showing from the 6'1 7th grader. 

Ricky Hinton, 2021 SF, Meridian Outlaws: Hinton played on the wing most of the weekend but his high motor allowed him really excel inside as well. His on-ball defense and rebounding were very solid and he continually showed the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers whether it was off the catch or dribble. 

Jalen Macon, 2021 CF, Tennessee Flyers: Versatility was the name of the game for Macon over the weekend. Even though we list him as a combo forward he can play the two as well with his mid-range shooting and slashing abilities. On defense is where his combo forward position really comes to shape as he really rebounds and defends like a big man. It will be interesting to see what Macon turns out to be as he gets older and continues to grow. 

Bryce Edmondson, 2021 SF, Tennessee Flyers: Edmondson showed potentia as a big time scoring wing. In a game against the Meridian Outlaws, Edmondson was everywhere. Knocking down deep balls, pulling up for mid-range jumpers, driving the lane and drawing fouls, and knocking down his free throws at a high rate. Assuming him and his teammate Jalen Macon stick together on the AAU scene for a while, they could be a deadly duo down the road. 

Joshua Dorsey, 2021 SF, United Elite Trojans: Dorsey is one of those players that can catch fire in a hurry, and if he does, have fun trying to stop him. Dorsey has grown to about 6'0 or 6'1, which has allowed him to shoot over shorter defenders. It also has helped him finish at the rim when he slashes the lane. Overall, he has a very good feel for the game for a 7th grader, and should have a bright future heading forward. 

Cameron Warren, 2021 CG, United Elite Trojans: Warren made defenses fear him every time he touched the ball because of his shooting abilities. Along with his ability to put the ball on the floor, Warren was someone you had to cover tightly or he would put up points in a hurry, especially from deep. 

Paulson Wright, 2021 SG, Alabama Steel: Wright was very impressive with his speed and beautiful stroke from deep. Wright always hustled off the ball on offense running through screens or whatever he had to do to get open. Once he got the ball it was usually going up, and if he was even remotely open it usually went in. He is a dangerous scoring threat that could be a college prospect depending on his growth and development. 

Jamal Fraizer, 2021 SG, Team Tarheels: Fraizer is the type of player that every coach wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. He can score on all three levels and makes everyone around him better when he's on the court. He scored 24 points in a big game during pool play that led his team to victory. He loves getting to the free throw line where he gets alot of his points. His competitive nature is what stood out to us this past weekend. Solid overall performance.

Ty'Reshon Freeman, 2021 SG, TNA Heat: Freeney is a scoring machine. He can score off the bounce or knock down open jumpers. Scoring in transition is what he does best along with getting to the rim and finishing. He is a good on ball defender and loves to compete. He scored 19 points in a big win over the Silver Champions the Tenn Flyers. The sky is the limit for this talented prospect.

Tre Roberson, 2021 SG, Blesoe Ice: Roberson is a team leader that all his teammates will follow. He can pass, score and lead by example when on the floor. His ability to score on all three levels makes him tough to stop. He scored 17 points in a big win over the eventual Silver Champs Powerhouse. He averaged double figures on the weekend and had a strong showing. As he gets stronger and develops more look out.

Xavier Evans, 2021 PG, Jaguar Elite: Evans is more of a combo guard who can play both the lead guard and scoring guard. He led his team in scoring all weekend long and was the team leader. He averaged double figures on the weekend and had 19 points in a tough loss in pool play. If you need a bucket, you want the ball in his hands. He can score in bunches and makes it look easy at times.  Solid overall performance on the weekend.