Garrett Tucker:
Future150 Southeast Analyst. Covering high school basketball across the Southeast.
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- In a stacked 14U division, the Memphis Love brought home the 2014 Future150 Birmingham Main Event championship. They defeated Da House 73-64 behind the impressive play of 2018 wing Roderick Brown.
Brown is a step ahead of most players his age with his athleticism and strength. He was virtually unstoppable on the wing for every opposing team.
High-flying guard Tada Stricklen led the way for Da House in their championship loss, as top player Robert Woodard battled cramps.
Stricklen proved to be one of the most elite scorers of the tournament. He showed he can explode for a big burst of points at any minute, whether it is getting to the rim, hitting perimeter shots, or rebounding the ball.
Here are some other standouts from Birmingham…
Robert Woodard, 2018 SG, Da House: Woodard continues to have all the makings of a top 25 overall prospect in the next few years. It is hard to find a player with a combination of skills and size like Woodard. At 6-foot-5, he has an all-around offensive game. He hits shots, plays around the rim, and can handle the ball. Woodard will be a national name in a few years.
Tykee Kellogg, 2018 CF, EOTO: After watching Kellogg for a few games, it looks like the sky may be the limit for the 6-foot-3 combo forward. He has great length and athleticism to go with his size. Right now, he looks like more of a 4, but with work, he could make a transition to the perimeter in the future.
Mike Maye, 2018 PF, Alabama Commodores: Maye was one of the most impressive rebounders from the weekend. The 6-foot-2 big man understands how to use his big, wide body around the rim to score and be successful. He consistently pulled in double-digit rebounds each game with his strength and size.
Denvonte Davis, 2018 SG, Duncan Hines Dream Team: Davis was one of the most gifted offensive players in his age group to take the court on Saturday. At 6-foot-4, he is a long, wiry wing that has a smooth sense to his game. He is a finisher around the rim, and his mid-range game is very impressive.
Joseph Aggison and Joel Aggison, 2018 PGs, Louisiana Rockets: There aren’t many players that set the tone to the game like this set of twins. It is only right to combine them when talking about either because of their ability to feed off each other. While both are small, they are huge on the defensive end with their disruptive style of play and defense. Their speed and agility is hard to match, making it difficult for defenders to stay in front of them. Joel may be more of an offensive playmaker right now, but both of these twins are very talented.
Antonio Zachary, 2018 CG, Louisiana Rockets: Zachary fit right in with the Aggison brothers, as he got after it on defense and used his quickness to make plays. However, Zachary was one of the main beneficiaries on the offensive end when the twins penetrated the defense. The 5-foot-5 combo guard showed he could hit shots from the perimeter, and he did a nice job of getting to the rim.
Ray Price, 2018 PG, Memphis Love: Price understands the game so well at this juncture in his young career. The 6-foot-1 point guard is very crafty with the ball and handles it extremely well. He plays the game the right way and is the catalyst for his talented Memphis Love squad. Price is scoring threat when he puts the ball on the floor and drives the basketball.
Scott Morrison, 2018 PG, Alabama Commodores: Vision, vision, vision. That is the best way to describe Scott Morrison, a 5-foot-8 point guard. Morrison thrived in transition at getting his teammates the ball, but he also did a nice job of passing and distributing in the half-court. He is very crafty with his game and keeps the defense on its toes. He doesn’t score much, but with his point guard play, a coach can live with it.
Lebranche Talley, 2018 SG, Alabama Bravehearts: Talley was one of the more physically imposing guards to match up with on the perimeter in the 14U division. The 5-foot-8 guard does a great job of using his body and size when driving to the goal to make things easier for himself. He is very explosive and has a toughness about him that very few players his age have.
Jalen Gaston, 2018 SG, Alabama Bravehearts: Despite being a completely different player, Gaston was a nice complement to Talley. At 5-foot-9 and 125-pounds, Gaston is not as physical as his teammate. However, he has length on the perimeter that makes a difference. He hit shots from the outside consistently, but he kept the defense honest with his ability to put the ball on the floor.
JonDarius Warren, 2018 PG, Da House: Warren was another great point guard that came to play in this age group. Warren was a playmaker on the offensive end. He showed a great knack for drawing help-side defenders and dishing off to the open teammate. He also used his vision to make some flashy passes that impressed the crowd.
KaJuan Hale, 2018 PG, EOTO: Hale is a spark-plug for his EOTO squad. The 5-foot-7 point guard does a great job of using his speed and quickness to make a difference on both ends of the court. He excels at putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket. He lacks some size, but he has shown he can play with some of the best guards the South has to offer.
Howard Williams, 2018 PF, Louisiana Rockets: At first glance, Williams isn’t your typical basketball player. The 6-foot, 235-pound power forward looks like he should be on the football field, but his skill and feet make him perfect for basketball. He moves very well for his size, and he has great footwork in the post. He already has several post moves to go along with his wide body.
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