Nike’s NOLA 23 sweeps 17U-15U Grassroots HoopFest titles
NOLA 23 is in its fourth year of existence and the grassroots organization is beginning to take off. Their 17U-15U squads swept this weekend’s Grassroots HoopFest tournament titles in New Orleans and their 14U team also advanced to the championship game.
All four NOLA 23 teams also went undefeated through bracket play with 17U and 16U finishing the two-day tournament at 5-0, 15U was 4-0 and 14U was 3-1. The Louisiana Kings knocked off NOLA 23’s 14U team 45-30.
NOLA 23 17U pulled away from Bo McCaleb Select 66-39 in the championship game thanks to some hot second-half shooting from Karr 2018 G Marc Bowie, Newman 2018 G Riley Demps and Warren Easton 2018 PG Vernon Simms.
NOLA 23’s 16U team had the toughest challenge of any of the three champions holding off Powerade’s New Orleans Basketball Club, 64-57. MLK 2019 W/G Larenz Williams, Salmen 2019 PG Dandrick Green and Shaw 2018 G Jourdan Smith were among the top players for NOLA 23 while Slidell 2019 PG Tylor Harris lit up the scoreboard for N.O. BB Club.
NOLA 23’s 15U also had to work for its 57-43 win over the River Parish Rockets, which was closer than the final indicated. NOLA 23 only led 29-23 at halftime and most of the second half was played within 10 points. Country Day 2020 G Shawn Royal was very impressive with his versatility and 2020 PG Corey Smooth has an excellent feel for the game as a lead guard.
Check back throughout the week for more from the event including highlights of the 17U-15U championship games.