2013 Eddie Ford Spring Classic Recap
by Eric Hampford, Future150 (9:34 AM CT, Fri May 3, 2013)

Louisville, KY (Future150) -- Future150 was on hand for Eddie Ford's Spring Classic where some solid young talent was on display. The focus of this event was mainly on the 14U crop where M.A.T.T.S Mustangs nipped the Derby State Thoroughbreds in overtime in the championship game.

Derby State - talent wise - was the better team, but the Mustangs had redemption on their mind to get back at the Thoroughbreds, who had defeated them a couple of weeks prior by double-digits.

Here are prospects who caught our eye from the event...

2017:

Timmy Dalton - M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs (Ky.) - Dalton played inside a lot for the Mustangs, but he's a wing player at this stage. He's a tough guy that can get in the lane and finish through contact. He exhibited body control in the lane and wasn't rattled. He had a steal at the end of the championship where he just went and got the ball. He had an open teammate, but as the guy, he knew he had to make a play and did just that. His "and 1" with seconds left tied the game and sent it into OT where he assisted on the game winning shot at the buzzer after drawing a double team. With talent galore on the court, Dalton often times looked like the best player on the floor. His grit to do what he wanted was the reason his team won. He's definitely one to keep track of.

Kel Stotts - Derby State Thoroughbreds (Ky.) - Stotts was an impressive point guard throughout the weekend. Though, his shot wasn't falling in the championship game, like it had all weekend, he still dug in defensively and facilitated for his team. He didn't let his lack of scoring deter his game. He's a heady guard with a solid stroke. At about 5-11, he doesn't wow you with speed, but his pace was always under control, and he showed an ability to finish through contact. Stotts is ranked on the Watch list for Future150, and he's definitely one to watch out for.

Peyton Broughton - Derby State Thoroughbreds (Ky.) - A true savvy guard for his age. He knows where to go, when to go, and how to get there. His feel for the game is something you can't coach. He's a guard that's hard to speed up, and when he penetrates, it's seemingly always under control. He scores it well and took seemingly only good shots. He got his shot blocked by an athletic shot blocker, and a couple of plays later he went right back at the shot blocker on the same play and varied his approach to score around him. His in-game adjustments were great throughout the weekend. If his game and athleticism continues to develop with his basketball IQ, the future is bright for him as he already has solid size for a guard.

Elijah James - And 1 Elite (Ind.) - When you see this team, you wouldn't imagine James is the second younger player on the team. The kid is a beast at this age group. He's about 6-foot-4 and blocks everything under the sun. Every game in the tournament he played, he blocked shots. Didn't matter if it was an opposing big, or a small, quick guard, he was sending their shot back to where it came from. He cleans up the glass like a machine and even scored with his back to the basket over a bigger guy. He's a tad bit raw offensively, yet, he shows promise.  He's the lone Chicago-area kid on his team, and he's definitely one to track.

Jaylen Sebree - Derby State Thoroughbreds (Ky.) - Sebree may be the most intriguing prospect of the weekend. He's smooth. Silky smooth. But it leaves you wondering if he's that smooth because he's not really trying or because that's just his game. He has talent and some of the moves he displayed were far more advanced than those of the other players on the court. In fact, he made pro moves at times. He has good length and is always under control even when pulling out a move that can leave one wondering "where did that come from." Though, one of the longer kids on his team, he was mobile enough to play at the top of the zone and be an active disruptor. He made steals and plays at times defensively in every type of defense the Thoroughbreds played off of pure instincts. When he realizes how good he is and can really tap into some of his potential, things could get scary. He looks to have the tools to develop into an elite wing. Question is, will he put it all together?

Carl Garman Jr. - And 1 Elite (Ind.) - Lightning quick smaller guard that gave the Thoroughbreds fits. He got in the lane at will where he facilitated well. He showed good vision, but sometimes he lost sight of the team and took a bad shot because his team was down. They weren't awful shots, he just needed to recognize their were better shots available. Nonetheless, he still made some good shots and showed some range by burying several 3s and a tough grit to get in the paint and shoot over the trees.

Jekobi Wells - Central Ky. Storm (Ky.) - Only saw a game and a half of him, but he was a tough guard to keep out of the lane. at about 5-11. He penetrated and attacked. He was relentless and showed a knack for active hands. He's one to keep a look out on.

Cole VonHandorf -Derby State Thoroughbreds (Ky.) - A solid player for the Thoroughbreds. As they hammered their way through bracket play, he showed a good feel for the game and nice shooting touch. He attacked the rim when the lane was open, and took shots that were there for him. He had good length for a guard.

Trace  Young - Derby State Thoroughbreds (Ky.) - Young has a lot of potential, and it's easy to see the talent, only problem for him is that all the coordination is there yet, but that's a good thing. Young recently had about a 9-inch growth spurt, where he went from a 5-8 guard to lanky forward. Ultimately, that gives him skills at that size, but he doesn't quite have the coordination to do everything he's used to doing or that he wants to do. He has good hands and showed flashes of good vision. He also showed the ability to knock down shots, but sometimes he had it made up in his mind that he was going to do something, instead of adjusting when opportunity came about to make a play and dribbled into trouble, Once he grows into his frame, that will alleviate some of the mistakes he makes.

Bryson Asher -Derby State Thoroughbreds (Ky.) - A guy that falls victim to what most bigs fall victim to in AAU, not enough touches. He was long and active and blocked shots like a kid about 6-6 should do at that age. He also did a good job of finishing around the rim when he was in the game, and at times, he made a big impact on both ends of the floor. Obviously, it was more on the defensive end than the offensive end.

2015:

 Bryce Brown and Al Hansbrough -3T All Starz (Ga.) - These two were a terror and made life difficult for opposing guards on offense and defense. They were relentless in pursuit and helped lead their team to the 16U championship. They made play after play, and both weren't overwhelmingly big or quick, but had serviceable size and speed. They did a god job of disrupting passing lanes and getting easy run outs where they finished well on the break. Both are mid-major guards that have received mid-major looks already.