GRBA Nationals: Friday’s Top Performers
Friday marked the second day of action here in Fort Wayne. Every team had a pair of games today, wrapping up pool play and setting the bracket. There were plenty of coaches in attendance, including Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, VCU, UCLA and Butler. Here are my top performers from Friday’s action in Fort Wayne:
Duane Washington (The Family 17u) – Washington is perhaps the top uncommitted 2018 in Michigan and made yet another case for that today. A true point guard, he has a beautiful game to go with a great set of leadership skills. He displayed both of these today and more – in game number number two he was lights-out shooting the ball, burying 4-5 three pointers. In addition to his shot falling, Washington also got to the rack and finished with a smooth and effective layup package. In his second game of the day, his squad was trailing to start the second half. Apparently he had enough of that, because he knocked down a pair of threes and got a bucket at the rim all within the first 3 minutes of the first half. This nice stretch helped not only erase the opposing team’s lead but build a small lead for his squad.
Collin McCrackin (Lansing Prospectors 16u) – While a pair of Prospector players made my top performers list yesterday, a new name makes it today. McCrackin played solid all game in the Prospector’s second game of the day, a game in which would end in a blowout win for them. McCrackin showed nice skill – nice set of handles, an ability to hit pull-up jumpers as well as an ability to get to the rack. There was a stretch were he hit a couple shots within a few possessions, including a beautiful stepback jumper. While the Prospectors played well overall, McCrackin stood out because he had a good game while being super efficient.
Deng Reng (ET21 Buckeyes 16u) – Reng may have very well had the best performance of anybody today. He did literally everything at times for his team – he scored, he rebounded, he facilitated and he played defense. He’s a super long 6’6″ who can move and shoot like a guard, making him a tough matchup for most. Over the course of his squad’s game against The Family, he buried a couple threes, had multiple tough finishes at the rim, blocked a couple shots as well as tallied a few assists. Reng was simply excellent in all areas as he did everything he could to carry his team.
Drew Lowder (The Family 16u) – Lowder did Lowder things again today, putting together two nice games for his squad. In his first game, he exploded for 29 points on 9 three pointers. This is not uncommon for Lowder, as he is one of the most explosive scorers in the state when he gets hot. In his second game, Lowder had another double-digit outing. He was relatively quiet compared to his first game, taking what the defense was giving him and not forcing too much. Of course, he wouldn’t stay quiet for the whole game, as he had a stretch of 7 points over the course of 2 minutes for his squad. Lowder is almost always good for a couple pretty pull-up or step-back midrange jumpers, a skill that is really a lost art in today’s game.
Photocredit: www.michiganpreps.rivals.comTariq Shepherd (The Family 16u) – Shepherd makes this list for his game in his team’s matchup against ET21 Buckeyes. While previously mentioned Deng Reng was going off for the Buckeyes, Shepherd was doing his best to match Reng’s efforts. Minutes into the game, Reng led his squad on a run that gave the Buckeyes the lead that was quickly expanded. This is when Shepherd ignited for 8 straight points, as well as a nice defensive effort. This seemed to spark The Family, who would re-take the lead and hold it for the rest of the game. Shepherd would get a few more buckets, finishing with double-digit points and the win.