Future150 Houston Main Event: 14U Top Performers
by Ricky Wilson, Future150 (4:39 PM CT, Mon April 6, 2015)

Houston, TX (Future150) -- Andrew Force contributed to this report.

The 14U championship game of the Future150 Main Event was like Kentucky vs Notre Dame.  There were many lead changes and close calls that could have went either way.  The whole game the fans were yelling and at the edge of their seats waiting in hopes that their team would be crowned champion.  This game was played at a frantic pace with a bevy of quality talent on both teams.  The winner by one point in a 74-73 victory was the home team D&S Elite over Louisiana Elite.  This game wasn’t the only game that had quality talent.  Here are some of the players that shined throughout the weekend:

Derrick Gray Jr., 2019 PG, D&S Elite:  Derrick is a big-bodied point guard with elite ball-handling skills.  He used his frame and ball-handling skill to break through traps and physical on ball defense that most kids his age couldn’t endure.  The lead guard has sneaky quickness for his size that allowed him to make plays getting to the basket himself or creating for others.

Torron Mingo, 2019 CG, Houston Hawks: Mingo might of been the best 3-point shooter in the 14U division.  He has a great feel for the game and knows how to use the dribble to gain an advantage.  At one point in bracket play he knocked down 3 consecutive 3's.  Gotta love his competitive fire he plays with.

Grayson Pendergraft, SG 2019, Basketball University:  Grayson had a really good showing this past weekend.  He was relentless at getting to the rim and finishing tough plays.  He has a unique ability to finish in traffic at his size.            

Nicholas Hardin, PF 2019, Basketball University:  Nicholas had a solid weekend, but showed flashes that he could be a kid to keep an eye on in the future.  His size and skill give him a good chance to make noise in the Houston area soon if he keeps progressing.  He rebounded the ball well and also got up the floor more like a wing than a big man.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up being a big wing.

Javarious Washington, PG 2019, TNBA Barron: Washington was one of the more consistent point guards in the 14U division.  He has great court vision and is crafty enough to get any where on the floor he wants.  His ability to break down his defender off the dribble made his assist total sky rocket in the tournament.  As he gets stronger and his jump shot improves, its easy to see this talented player playing at the next level.                                                                                             

Kendrick Every, PG 2019, Louisiana Elite:  What he lack in height and size he makes up for in heart, IQ, and skill.  Kendrick capped off a great weekend with a 16 point championship game performance.  Though he came up short in the championship he did enough over the weekend to be happy about.  He used quick hesitations and head fakes to create space for scoring opportunities.  He knocked down 3’s and used his floater in the lane. 

Dekedran Thorn, G 2019, Rytes Warriors:  Dekedran is a shooter that can fill it up fast.  One game he hit 4 or 5 3’s in the first half.  Dekedran doesn’t need much time or space to get his shot off and most of the time it has a good chance of going in.  With maturity he will grow and become more of an all-around scorer.

Bryceson Burns, 2019 SG, Rytes Warriors: The 5'9" shooting guard, Burns plays like Moses Moody. Elegant, mobile. Burns plays an unselfish brand of basketball.  Burns has both high motor and reliable handles.  As he develops more skills his high school success will follow.

Mako Martin, 2019 PF, Louisiana Elite: Martin is a beast on the board on both ends of the floor.  He can finish with either hand and loves attacking the rim in transistion.  His best attribute might of been his hustle and offensive rebounding.  As a fan, you love watching a player that loves to compete and is having fun will doing it.  Tons of upside to his game.

Ty Archibald, 2019 PG, Rytes Warriors:Ty is a coach’s dream.  He was a floor general that put the ball where it needed to be, but knew how and when to create for himself.  He played extremely hard on both ends of the floor.  Ty created deflections and turnovers with his defensive tenacity.  Ty sees angles his peers don't see.  Down by 20 points late, Archibald fought for loose balls and smothered the ball handler.  His heart and handle make him an ideal lead guard.  Archibald scored 14 points in a loss to Houston Flight 14u.

Josh Levy, 2019 SG, Basketball University Red: Levy works hard on post moves.  He cant with contact just yet meaning he will need to wait for his body to naturally fill out.  It will help him toughen up a touch.  The court vision remains a refined attritbute.  Levy willl be very good.  With more strength he will provide pinpoint outlet passes.

Jaron Presley, 2019 PG, Basketball University Red: Jaron is absolutely a confident, capable point guard.  He can shoot.  Facing a three point deficit, with fewer than four seconds remaining, Coach Damion King called a three point attempt for Presley.  The heady guard was fouled while shooting as the horn sounded.  He needed all three to tie, and send the contest to overtime.  Jaron made two of the three.  Almost.  He showed a lot of poise in a crippling scenario.

Javorious Smith, 2019 SG, Fort Worth 6ers:  Smith is a smooth operator with the ball in his hands.  He can score on all three levels and is a nightmare to guard in the open floor.  He was knocking down jump shots all weekend long.  As his ball handling improves look for him to play both guard positions.