Tourney Preview: The Hoop Memorial Day Classic
The Hoop Memorial Day Classic takes place this Memorial Day Weekend in Salem (May 26-28), and its lineup will include the majority of the best AAU teams and top players from the state that aren’t playing on the EYBL circuit.
In the 17U bracket there are 36 teams dispersed into nine pools and after round robin play on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the open chamiponship bracket will take place starting on Sunday night.
Here are some teams and players to watch in the 17U division:
Hoop Salem 17U – The host team should have most of their regular lineup with the exception of Jaden Nielsen-Skinner who will be playing at the Boo Williams Invitational with Seattle Rotary. Look for RJ Veliz and Drayton Caoile to man the backcourt and for Brian Warinner to continue to shine up front along with Jonathon Nchekwube. Kaleb Anundi may be rejoining the team during this tournament as well.
Team Fly Williams – Team Fly Williams is fresh off an outstanding performance at the HoopSource Invitational last weekend. Watch for Isaac Lange to utilize his incredible athletic ability on both ends of the floor, while the likes of Zach Brown, Chase McClain, and Colin Warmouth provide support.
Team Fly White – Team Fly White will bring its high-octane three-point shooting show into town and in addition to their usual lineup of Stevie Schlabach, Daniel Kovalev, and Alex Jaczko, the team has also added big men in Andrew Graves and Fred Harding to the roster, to help compensate for the loss of Josh Angle (Rose City Rebels) and Isaiah Sampson (NW Panthers).
Oregon Basketball Club – OBC will have two teams in the Gold and Blue in the 17U bracket. The rosters of each are fluid, but expect Bo Quinlan to highlight one team for sure. Braedin Nowlin, Alex Boyd, and Isaac Rosenthal will be key backcourt performers and Daniel Berger is an unsung wing to also look out for, as well as unsigned senior Abdi Dahir.
Nike Team Northwest 17U – Local – Nike Team Northwest’s top 17U squad will be in Salem. The Jefferson High School duo of Keylin Vance and Jalen Brown will do their thing, and emerging wings such as Brock Henry and Justin Bieker figure to contribute heavily as well.
Deep 3 – Deep 3 always makes games exciting and interesting with their up-tempo athletic style of play. Unsigned seniors Robert Ford and Seyi Reilly will lead a group of guys looking to make a name for themselves.
Some other individuals expected to be at the tournament to keep an eye on include:
Dakota Kurahara (Nike Team Northwest – 17U Team Knight)
Zach Braugher (Team Jones Hedgecock)
Tyler Newson (Team Fly Anderson)
Isaiah Wallace (Dribble Drive)
Peyton Richardson (Hoop Salem 16U – 16U bracket)
Jayden Vranes (Team Fly 16U – 16U bracket)
PrepHoops Oregon will be on site to cover the event on Saturday so look for player updates and analysis through and after the weekend.