Storm Classic: Impressive Teams
The Storm Classic is one of the best AAU tournaments in the Midwest before the live period begins. All the best teams in Michigan are there, as well as some top teams from surrounding areas such as Ohio and even Canada. It’s a perfect time for teams to build some chemistry and tune up in preparation for live tournaments, as the competition is good for a non-circuit event. Below are some of the teams that impressed me with their performances at the Storm Classic:
The Family 16u – This team is loaded, featuring some of the best c/o 2019 players in the state. Headed by the dynamic guard duo of Drew Lowder and Mark Watts, they’re capable of putting up loads of points in a hurry. Down low, they’re anchored by perhaps the best 2019 in Michigan in Romeo Weems. They blew out nearly every team they played en route to a platinum bracket championship.
The Family 15u – Another star-studded Family team is their 15u squad, featuring 3 of the top 7 players in Michigan in the freshmen class. Kevin Rice looked dominant, scoring with ease on multiple occasions. Jalen Terry helped secure elite guard play in the backcourt with his great playmaking and tough finishing. Forwards Carlos Johnson and Isaiah Jackson used their length and athleticism to control the glass and the paint on both sides of the ball. Not to be overlooked, guard/wing Ernie Sanders won tournament MVP at the 15u level for his dunking dominance in a platinum bracket championship win.
C2K Elite (Ohio) – C2K is a new UAA circuit team with plenty of studs. Two of their top players, Darius Bazley (wing) and Justin Ahrens (guard), are committed to Ohio State and showed why with standout performances throughout the weekend. Caleb McConnell also played well as a combo guard. Big man Dylan Swingle was a beast in the low post, utilizing his size and strength advantages to finish over/through even the better post defenders. C2K took home the platinum bracket championship for 17u.
Michigan Mustangs 17u – The Mustangs may not have a star-studded roster from top to bottom but that shouldn’t take away from the tremendous ability these guys have. Led by scoring machine Demetrius Lake and athletic rebounders/defenders Nelson McCauley and Caleb Bates, the Mustangs were able to erase a double digit deficit in their first elimination game and secure a come-from-behind win over 1Nation. They followed that with a 20 point annihilation of a talented Family 17u team. Despite falling short in the championship game to C2K Elite, the Mustangs impressed spectators by playing with heart and grit throughout the tournament.