10 Best: Takeover-Loaded Scrimmage
With the live periods just a couple weeks away, many teams are starting to play in pre-live period events for warmups. However, when you’re one of the top programs in the country, playing against elite competition isn’t easy to come by before the shoe circuit events start.
So Sunday, Team Takeover of DC and Team Loaded VA of Richmond met an undisclosed location for a closed scrimmage. The scrimmage was not open to the public or to the media, however Vantage Hoops gained exclusive access and was granted permission to do a small write up on the game.
Loaded wasn’t at full strength, missing star big man Dave McCormack, point guard Jaelin Llewellyn and wing Kiyon Boyd, but there was still talent all over the court as the two battled it out. After four quarters (they played five total), Takeover won 64-52.
Takeover will be playing on the Nike EYBL Circuit, and you can catch them April 21-23 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, VA. Team Loaded will play on the Adidas Gauntlet Circuit which starts the same weekend in Dallas, Texas.
With so much talent on the floor it was great for evaluations, and it just felt like everyone I watched would be playing division one basketball in the future. Here’s some of what we learned Sunday morning.
MVP: Jalen “Sticks” Smith | Team Takeover 2018
“Sticks,” as his teammates call him, showed why he was the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year as just a junior. The 6’8” big man out of Baltimore was a force inside, finishing everything in the paint and killing the glass on both ends. He showed good touch with both hands, stepped out and shot the midrange jumper and made good decisions when double teamed. He can run the floor and protect the paint, and if he adds strength to his upper body he’ll be ready for high major college basketball when he steps on campus.
Best Defensive Performer | Armando Bacot | Team Loaded 2019
Bacot was the only big man for the short handed Loaded team, and the sophomore big held his own against a five man post rotation of rising seniors. He struggled a little offensively, mostly missing easy shots from fatigue, but his improvement defensively was on display. He has long arms and great timing, and he does a good job challenging shots straight up without fouling. He finished with three or four blocks, and if he can continue to make an impact defensively he’ll continue to raise his stock with his skill set offensively.
Best Glue Guy | Myles Dread | Team Takeover 2018
Dread is the perfect glue guy because he can play so many different positions for this Takeover group. At 6’6”, the Penn State commit plays much bigger in the post than his size as he rebounds on both ends very well. He also has good footwork on both ends, can score the ball from all three levels and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. He shot it extremely well from the field, and was able to make an impact in many different ways throughout the game.
Best Intangibles | Rasir Bolton | Team Loaded 2018
Bolton has essentially been playing on one leg for the past two seasons, and he’s still been effective against top notch competition. Now that he’s healthy he’s looking like a legit high major point guard. He’s been shooting it very well, is an underrated athlete and handles pressure really well, but what really stands out is his overall feel for the game. He sees the game a few plays ahead on both ends, and it allows him to be an impact player on both ends of the floor.
Best Under-the-Radar Performer | Mac McClung | Team Loaded 2018
Every team needs a kid like McClung, who’s both talented and as tough as they come. The 6’1” combo guard from Gate City showed his athleticism and creative finishing ability early with a few tough takes, and despite playing almost the entire five quarters, he got better as the game went on. He played all out on both ends, diving for loose balls and falling in the stands to save possessions in a SCRIMMAGE, and he also shot it well when they needed him to. His mix of explosiveness and effort makes him very intriguing for division one programs moving forward.
Best Finisher | Bryce Golden | Team Takeover 2018
First thing you see when you look at Golden is his massive shoulders and strong frame in his upper body, and he used that strength to finish around the basket all game. He finished above the rim in transition, used the rim to protect himself down low and was able to use his strength to finish through contact. He also shot it well from the midrange and banged down low on the glass on both ends.
Best Passer | Xavier Johnson | Team Takeover 2018
Johnson was phenomenal as a floor general, especially in transition where he pushed the pace on turnovers and made shots and created for others in the open floor. He has good end to end speed and he’s so quick in and out of his cuts that he’s able to get in the lane and draw the eyes of defenders. He showed good vision, made good decisions and was able to create for others in isolation situations throughout the game.
Best Next Level Defender | Brandon Slater | Team Takeover 2018
The high major prospect is going to thrive at the next level, and particularly on the defensive end. Slater was huge in their press, using his length to make passing over the top difficult and he got back when the press was broke to protect the rim. He’s a good help side defender, willing to take charges or protect the rim, and he’s able to guard both on the perimeter and in the post. His versatility on both ends of the floor was on full display, and if he continues to buy in defensively he’ll be a big time recruit moving forward.
Best Breakout Performer | Ricky Lindo | Team Loaded 2018
With Loaded short handed, Lindo had to play almost the entire game, and while he won’t be a focal point for them at full strength he showed that he has the ability to be a two-way impact player off the bench. He hit the midrange jump shot, had a couple nice drives and finishes and he used his length defensively to deflect passes. He holds multiple division one offers, and if he plays this well on the Adidas Gauntlet he could see more of those rolling in soon.
Best Guy off the Bench | Anthony Harris | Team Takeover 2019
Harris is great off the bench for this group because he can guard multiple positions and play on or off the basketball. They have plenty of PGs and ball handlers, but his ability to move off the ball and make shots will give him an immediate role off the bench. He also played well in transition and made good decisions with the basketball.