SPTS Finals: Fury earns 2nd
The Minnesota Fury earned a spot in the championship of the SPTS 16U level and even though they didn’t bring him first place gold there were a lot of Fury players that caught the eyes of us at NHR and…
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Continue ReadingThe Minnesota Fury earned a spot in the championship of the SPTS 16U level and even though they didn’t bring him first place gold there were a lot of Fury players that caught the eyes of us at NHR and likely of college coaches.
Drew Galinson of Fury Wilde (6-1, SG, Wayzata). Heat Reese played a zone and Galinson was brilliant against it. His ball movement was strong, he one dribble attacked it to shift the defense and then moved the ball, and highlight wise his feet set and hands ready approach in the gaps of the zone resulted in a several jumpers including multiple threes. Didn’t force anything, was very efficient. Nice shooter, heady guard. Did miss a beat stepping into the championship game and hitting a couple treys early. In the title game he started with a couple treys and an attacking score. Wayzata looks like they have another quality guard to use this winter.
Tayler Johnson of Heat Reese (6-1, PG, Minneapolis North). Tayler’s handles look more crisp and against the Fury Wilde I really liked his decision making. Chvanged directions very well to set up each pass in the offense plus he scored. Late in the first half he made a feet set corner trey and attacked a zone gap for a runner. He’s 6-1 but has good length so he can extend to play bigger than his listed height.
Michael Jones of Fury Wilde (6-4, SF, Woodbury). Jones found himself playing some point and he was really good with the ball or without in transition. Defended hard with good lateral activity and good reactions to ball movement. Long enough and tough enough to guard around the basket but active enough and laterally good enough to play high in the zone. Made box out hits consistently with results and offensively he attacked the backside to get offensive boards as Heat players didn’t make box-out hits so his activity got results. In the final Jones scored on the move, defended hard, rebounded, and has overall put himself as a solid D2 level potential recruit in my eyes.
Jacob Phipps of Fury Wilde (6-8, C, Anoka). What makes Phipps different is some of the things he does that all young players don’t do let alone young bigs. Those things include very good defensive talk, disciplined stationary defense making players go over length, sprinting into strong screens and rolling hard, and rebounding out of his area with as much effort as he can give. Had a nice high school season producing regular numbers and this experience with the Fury is going to be very big for him. Expect some strong upperclassmen years.
Spencer Rolland of Fury Wilde (6-7, PF/C, Apple Valley). People that think the Eagles are going to fade with Trent gone need to think again. Why? 1) Tre, 2) the MN Eagles are all AV kids and playing well (plus don’t forget Mertens playing up with Select), and 3) size up front that can play. They have Aloung Kang this year and our big focus now, Spencer Rolland. Spencer played some last year but he’s really developed this off-season with the Fury. Strong kid with good core strength, Spencer has a touch, uses his frame very well around the basket, and is tough in all ways a guy needs to fight. Impressed with him this spring and summer.
Joe Whitlock of Fury Wilde (5-11, PG, St. Louis Park). Joe is a feisty player who can change a game with his effort play. One of those runs included Joe drawing a five second call with his ball pressure followed by an attacking score, then a three, and next an assist going over the top of the defense to a teammate on the opposite wing. Showed the potential to be a ball pressure guy, a quality decision maker at lead guard, and scored some baskets on each level.