Proving Grounds (Minneapolis): Sunday Game Recaps
11:10: Gold 17U Semifinal — Iowa Pump N Run Black 57 vs Minnesota Heat-Ismail 51
It was the first of two utterly impressive performances by this group of 2019 guys. A well-balanced group that has played together for many, many years, it’s clear that these guys genuinely like each-other and it certainly shows on the floor. Each guy knows where the other will be seemingly at all times, the chemistry is off the charts. That bond, paired with the different and varied skill-sets, makes this Pump team one of the better in Iowa. They led big early in this one, and things got dicey a bit in the second half before normalizing again late. Mason Porter, Carson Crile and Max Wilcox all impressed for Iowa.
12:15: Consolation 17U — Iowa Pump N Run Gold 45 vs Wisconsin Swing 33
We saw this Pump N Run squad play twice this weekend, and each time they won in knock-down drag-out fashion. They take their defensive responsibilities very seriously, especially considering it’s grassroots ball, and both times we watched, they held the opponent to under 40 points. Logan Rashid was again the best player, catalyst and leader for the Pump Gold unit; he’s a stud. Riley Koenig was good, and 6’10 Keokuk center Alex Wolter showed glimpses of how dangerous he could be next season for the Chiefs.
1:20: Gold 17U Championship — Iowa Pump N Run 56 vs Team 1848 47
The guys from Green Bay, Wisconsin raced out to a 13-6 lead, and it seemed as though Pump N Run had met their match. But the much more disciplined Iowa squad stuck to their principles and eventually would take control. By halftime, after a 25-7 run, Pump N Run led 31-20. They would would maintain that big lead for most of the second half, although there was a brief period of time when it appeared the Wisconsin guys were going to take a second half lead. But then Max Wilcox, who was splendid all day, canned a huge 3, pushing the lead back to five with 2-minutes left, and Pump would cruise from there. New London’s Mason Porter led all scorers in this one with 15.
2:25: Platinum 16U Championship — Minnesota Fury-Zurn 60 vs OSA National 32
This was really a blowout from the time it started. At half, the Omaha squad was within 29-21, but seemed almost fortunate to be that close. The Minnesota guys were too big, too strong and too skilled and they ran away with the title in the second half. We didn’t see too many running clock, mercy-rule (ending with time left bc the deficit is so much) in this tourney, and certainly didn’t expect to see one in the platinum division final, but this Fury was squad was good, damn good. Standouts for Minnesota were… everyone, but especially Charles Katona, Cameron Steele and Brady Williams.
3:30: Platinum 17U Championship — Kansas City Spurs 51 vs Minnesota Fury-Wilde 45
For the second straight weekend, the Kansas City Spurs have won a a platinum title in a loaded field. This one was tough, and they trailed for much of the second half before buckling down defensively and grinding out the win. Small, but fierce and extraordinarily quick point guard Mikel Henderson was tremendous for the Spurs, he scored a team-high 12 points. Standout wing Spencer Jones had a rough start, but finished strong, scoring seven of his nine points in the second half. Both of these teams are going to win a ton of games this summer, and the D1 and D2 talent on the floor was rampant.