Live Weekend Recap (second weekend)
Lots happened last weekend, both team-wise and with individual prospects. It was the second of a three weekend stretch of live periods, so it was expected that we’d have a busy one, full of Iowa happenings. Here, we’ll break down all the excitement into one neat little article.
DJ Carton
The summer officially belongs to DJ Carton, and as Tony Roe points out on Twitter, he’s not only one of the hottest prospects in the Midwest, but in the country. The 6-foot-1 Bettendorf and Quad City Elite point guard added offers from Nebraska, Iowa, Creighton and Minnesota since the weekend. He now holds a total of nine D1 offers, including four from the Big Ten (also, Wisconsin).
2019 Bettendorf PG DJ Carton is one of the hottest prospects in the country right now. He's added Iowa, Minnesota & Creighton offers today.
— Tony Roe (@tonysroe) July 25, 2017
Trayvon Williams
Iowa’s 2019 class continues to show its strength, and Valley guard Trayvon Williams — who has been exceptional all offseason — was able to nab his first offer last weekend, from South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits have had a recent surge of success with Iowa prospects, getting commitments from 2019 center Owen Coburn and 2018 point guard Matt Mims. Williams secures the offer before he even played a varsity minute, a testament to how stacked Valley’s program is right now.
Iowa Barnstormers 15U
Most of Iowa was in Lawrence, Kansas last weekend, and while many enjoyed success in the early portion of the tournament, it was the Iowa Barnstomers which carried Iowa’s name through to the finals. The 15U guys — led by AJ Coons, Bowen Born and Keshawn Chrsitian — cruised into the finals, where they matched up with a very good MOKAN Elite squad. That game was tight throughout, but in the end the ‘Stormers were able to come away with a 68-60 triumph, and grab the gold belt at one of the nation’s premier events.
15U @IA_Barnstormers are ALSO champs of @HardwoodEvents Classic after a 68-60 win over MOKAN Elite. pic.twitter.com/Z2MipvK5Q0
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) July 23, 2017
Iowa Barnstormers 16U
About five minutes before the 15U Barnstormers secured their title at the Hardwood Classic in Lawrence, KS, it was the 16U guys — led by Patrick McCaffery — who got theirs. It was a dominant weekend for McCaffery and Co., and just one week removed from winning the adidas Gauntlet Finale in South Carolina, they won another high profile tourney in Kansas. Trey Hutcheson shined in the semifinals, a game the ‘Stormers won by 26 over Team Rush (MO). And McCaffery was sensational in the final, a mercy-rule 67-47 win over SSA Elite. This 16U ‘Stormers squad is on a remarkable run — 16-0 in July so far.
Iowa Barnstormers 16U continue their tear, win @HardwoodEvents with 67-47 mercy win over SSA Elite (KS) pic.twitter.com/J8wXepPMBv
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) July 23, 2017
Carlos Pittman to Barnstormers
After seven years of heading one of Iowa’s better grassroots programs, Tri-State Steam, Carlos Pittman announced via Twitter Sunday night that this was the last tournament ever for the program; he’ll be joining the Iowa Barnstormers staff next season. Pittman was able to assemble one of the most talented 2018 teams in Iowa with this season’s Tri-State Steam, including top-20 prospects Keith Johnson and Lucas Duax. He’s an excellent addition the the ‘Stormers staff, we think.
After 7 years of helping kids achieve their dreams of playing college basketball all good things must come to an end.
— Tri State Steam AAU (@TriState_Steam) July 24, 2017
With that being said my Steam program is coming to an end. Proud to announce I will be coaching with the @IA_Barnstormers
— Tri State Steam AAU (@TriState_Steam) July 24, 2017