Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- The Birmingham Main Event is annually one of the best tournaments of the Spring in the southeast, and this year's edition was no different. The 16U division was especially loaded, as a number of talented prospects had great weekends.
The Attucks Wolfpack completed a cinderella run, knocking off Team Penny in the semi-finals before defeating Da House in the finals by the score of 73-69. Stretch four man De'Torrian Ware was instrumental in the victory, bringing his toughness and knocking down a number of big shots. Five-star wing Robert Woodard had a big time weekend as well, and while his team fell short, proved that he is top 15 in the country.
In the silver divison, it was Miles Rasnick and the TN Free Agents who won the title. Rasnick never stopped moving and helped his team to the 67-54 win. A talented point guard, he is ideal for someone who runs the flex offense.
And in the bronze division, Xpress Sports capped off an amazing comeback in overtime to win 70-68 in the final.
A number of other prospects also used this weekend to put themselves firmly on the radar, read on to see who had big time performaces:
Antonio Jones, 2018 SG, Bham Bulls: Jones is a physical wing who bullies his way into the lane and can finish through contact. His strength allows him to be a very good rebounder as well. He will need to work on being a better shooter.
Logan Fautz, 2018 SG, Mobile Hurricanes: Fautz is a knockdown shooter who is also a crafty ball-handler. He makes the right passes and is very fundamentally sound. He has a bright future at a small college.
Miles Love, 2018 SG, M33M Red: Love was one of the most proficient scorers on Saturday before having his weekend cut short with an ankle injury. He can put points up on all three levels and has the frame to be a decent rebounder as well.
Garrett Hicks, 2019 CG, Team Vigilance: Hicks is an talented scorer who is a tad undersized, but knows how to put the ball in the basket. He can shoot it from beyond the arc as well as knock down mid-range jumpers. He will need to get stronger to take the next step.
Tre Minor, 2018 SG, TN Mainstream: Minor is a talented scorer who knows how to put the ball in the basket. His ability to knock down threes made him hard to guard. He will need to learn to become more aggressive down the line.
D'Andre Rice, 2018 SF, Georgia Impact: Rice is another athletic wing prospect who excelled at slashing to the rim. His toughness and ability to rebound was also impressive, as he helped to lead his team to the round of 8 over the weekend.
Ryan Boyce, 2018 SF, Team Penny: Boyce is a fantastic run-and-jump athlete who has just begun to develop his perimeter skills. He has fantastic size for the perimeter and is an absolute menace in the open floor. It's easy to see why Ole Miss has already offered him.
Braylon Chaisson, 2018 CF, 6th Man Warriors: Chaisson is an intriguing prospect thanks to his ability to shoot the ball. The skillset is there for him to potentially move to the perimeter in time, but for now, he is best used as a stretch-four man. He needs to improve as a ball-handler, but if he does that, his stock will certainly rise.
Hunter Wiley, 2018 PG, Alabama Magic: After jumping on the radar last month, Wiley confirmed that he is indeed a big time player. The lead guard did exactly what his team needed him to, while showing considerable tougness yet again. He has a chance to play division one basketball.
Deanthony Tipler, 2018 PG, Da House: Arguably the best point guard in the tournament, Tipler did a good job of setting his teammates up to score, without sacrificing any of his own offense. His feel for the game is elite, making the speedy lead guard even more dangerous.
Joe Wimbley, 2018 CG, Riverdale Heat: A talented slasher, Wimbley put a decent amount of points on the board throughout the weekend. He is able to create a little bit off the dribble but needs to improve as a shooter.
Kenna Bryant, 2018 SG, Mississippi Hawks: Bryant is a talented scorer who can put points up on all three levels. He can shoot it from deep, as well as get to the rim or hit pull-up jumpers. He will need to improve as an on-ball defender.
Tre' Melancon, 2018 SG, Iberville Ballers: Melancon is a talented scorer who knocked down three pointers the entire weekend. Melancon is also a decent enough athlete that he can get to the rim and finish through contact. He must improve as a ball-handler and hit mid-range jumpers.
Cortavious Shelton, 2018 CG, Da House-White: Shelton was very good on Saturday, as he did a good job of balancing distributing and scoring. He has good speed, allowing him to create for both himself and his teammates. The next step for him will be continuing to improve as a lead guard. His size seemingly dicatates that he will be a point guard at the next level.
Lee Johnson, 2019 SF, Be Elite: Johnson has improved his ball skills and now projects as a small forward at the next level. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and got to the rim with ease throughout the weekend. He must improve as a shooter and ball-handler.
Jeff Huff, 2018 CG, TNA Heat: Huff is a talented scorer who used his athleticism as well. He can get to the rim thanks to being a decent ball-handler. The next step for him will be improving as a shooter.
Trevion Littlejohn, 2018 CF, Memphis Eagles: Littlejohn impressed with his energy and ability to score around the rim. He scored a majority of his points off of putbacks and in transition. Littlejohn will need to improve his perimeter skillset in order to take the next step.
Dezmond Washington, 2018 PF, Club 51: Washington may be undersized as a power forward, but made up for it with his strength and athleticism. He played hard all weekend long and did a good job of rebounding. As it stands right now, he looks to be a nice small college player.
Caden Mills, 2018 SG, Chattanooga Elite: Mills is a scorer and he can do it in multiple ways. Partly because of his good ball handling skills and quickness. Mills always made plays and showed promise as a potential go-to type player if he continues to grow and get stronger.
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