10 Best (Video): New Orleans Wolves vs. New Orleans Elite (Icebreaker 17U Championship)
A seasoned New Orleans Wolves squad pulled away from New Orleans Elite 66-55 Sunday at Carver in the Icebreaker HoopFest 17U championship. The game was a perfect example of continuity and grit overtaking a team that may be more talented on paper but is still learning to play together as a unit.
Here’s a look at some of the top players from the matchup and you can watch highlights of the game at the bottom of the post:
MVP — Latrell Jones (Wolves/Shaw 2017 G)
Every time I see this kid he’s putting the ball in the basket and that trend continued in the Wolves’ championship win over New Orleans Elite. Jones had a strong showing on both ends of the floor and was particularly effective on offense with his ability to put pressure on New Orleans Elite as a scorer or distributor.
Best Sequence Of The Game — Wolves trio Ryghe Lyons, Latrell Jones, Raylon Hardy
The Wolves started the championship with Ryghe Lyons drilling a corner 3 for the first bucket of the game, then Latrell Jones made a great sideline steal on the ensuing possession that led to a fastbreak opportunity for Raylon Hardy, who finished with a sweet reverse layup. The sequence was not only a great example of all three players’ skill sets but also showed their focus and will to win in what was their third game on Sunday and the fifth in three days.
Best Offensive Performance — Latrell Jones (Wolves/Shaw 2017 G)
Jones was the game’s most effective player on offense with his ability to score in transition, get to the free throw line, find teammates for open shots and even knocked down a pair of long range jumpers off the dribble. The 6-foot-4 guard is consistently one of the top scorers on the floor and whichever school lands him at this late stage in his recruitment will get a steal. Jones reported his first Division I offer from the University of Tennessee Martin on March 13.
Best Defensive Performance — Ryghe Lyons (Wolves/Curtis 2017 F)
At 6-foot-9, Lyons’ length in the paint is unavoidable. He blocked a handful of shots and changed a few others and is beginning to fill out his thin frame which allows him to hold better position in the paint.
Best Guy Off The Bench — Deitrick Stovall (Wolves/Salmen 2017 PG)
Stovall provided a much-needed spark off the bench for the Wolves, especially late in the game. He drilled a pair of 3-pointers in the second half, one of which put the Wolves up 57-51 with four minutes left.
Best Intangibles — Raylon Hardy (Wolves/Hahnville 2017 PG)
Hardy is the Wolves’ leader on the floor and his motor runs high on both ends of the court. He controls the pace of the Wolves’ offense and set the tone early with a few strong drives to the rim for buckets.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance — Kendrick Dandy (N.O. Elite/McDonogh 35 2018 G/
W)
Standing at about 6-foot-4 with a sturdy frame, Dandy has the size and skill to be a Division I guard. He can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim but his best asset may be his ability to fill it up from long range. I’ve still only seen Dandy in a couple of settings but he certainly has a chance to be McDonogh 35’s third Division I player in three years (2016 duo De’Jon Jarreau & Brison Gresham at UMASS).
Best Underclassmen — Dywan Griffin (N.O. Elite/Landry-Walker 2019 PG)
There were only a couple of underclassmen on the floor and Griffin was one of them. Playing amongst players with one to two years more experience, Griffin still showed off his elite passing ability throughout the game. Class 5A’s reigning Most Outstanding Player has an excellent feel for the game and is seemingly always under control. If this is the first time you’re hearing about Griffin, it won’t be the last.
Best Passer — Dajour Lloyd (Wolves/West Jefferson 2019 PG)
Lloyd was playing amongst the big boys and held his own very well. In fact, he actually played a key role for the Wolves as a secondary ball handler to Hardy and Lloyd made plenty of impressive passes while showing off strong ball handling skills. You can watch more of Lloyd by clicking here.
Best Story To Watch Going Forward — Wolves Headed To Augusta
The New Orleans Wolves are 9-0 through their first two tournaments and they’ll look to have another strong showing in this weekend’s Icebreaker Invitational in August, GA. The Wolves also won the SouthHoopFest Below Zero tournament the previous weekend.