Director’s Cut: Missouri Edition
As the first half of the grassroots season comes to a close we wanted to touch base with programs directors and coaches to see how things went during April and May. These articles aim to provide updates on the teams as well as under the radar players or the kids who are on track to have a big July.
Team Name: Yanders Law – 17U & 16U
Mid-Season Update:
A program that has found great success this year in the NY2LA association. The 16U squad ranks first in the standing as we enter the month of June, while the 17’S are starting to pick up steam headed into the back half of the year. Both teams have rosters full of athletics kids that love to get out and run but never seem to be out of control. Watch for the Yanders Law name to win some big games come July.
Under the Radar Players:
17U
• Donyae McCaskill – 6’3 G – really explosive kid that can take you off the
dribble or knock down a shot in your face, D1’s are taking notice
• Jordan Walton – 6’0 G – super craft guard then plays with some flare, loves
to find teammates in the open floor but can create for himself as well
16U
• Alex Martini – 6’7 F – super bouncy kid with a great IQ, helped his varsity
program last year as a freshman, schools should line up to see this kid
• Kian Scroggins – 6’8 F – very physical big that has a soft touch around the
hoop, good feet for his size and communicates at a high level, a kid everyone
loves to play with
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 26-29: Fab 48 – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: SEMO Bulls
Mid-Season Update:
This SEMO Bulls team was clicking to end the first half of the season. Coming off a championship at the spring classics this group is taking the month of June to rest and reload for the second half of play. This squad defends at a high level and turns their defense into offense with dribble attacks and shooters on the perimeter to knock down any kick outs that come their way. Coach Tony Webb said these kids have been playing together for a while and you can tell by watching them play and interact on the court.
Under the Radar Players:
• Dominique Hardimon – 6’3 G/F – pure basketball player, does whatever it takes
to win games, a kid you can’t take off the court
• Derez Tippler – 5’11 G – can take you off the dribble or knock down a shot in
your face, does a little bit of every
• Carlton McDonald – 6’3 F – long athletic kid that has come a long way in recent
months, catching some looks
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Summer Jam – Chicago, IL
July 18-22: Three Stripe Alliance – St. Louis, MO
July 25-29: Jayhawk Invitational – Kansas City, MO
Team Name: NDA Gym
Mid-Season Update:
A group of guys that had a really nice first half of the year. This NDA gym squad took home a championship at a Midwest Live event as well as a final four finish at the Hardwood Classic. This team loves to put pressure on the opposing team and take advantage of the other teams mistakes which tends to lead to easy basketballs for this NDA gym crew.
Under the Radar Players:
• Eric Slack – 6’4 F – leading scorer throughout the spring, can get it going
quick, pure scorer that gets you buckets
• Shamar Wright – 6’2 G – lefty, can get to the rack and has a sweet stroke
• Miles Johnson – 6’1 G – spot up shooter that pegs teams from the outside,
deceivingly quick and IQ kid
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Adidas Invitational – Indianapolis, IN
July 20-22: Mullen’s High Profile – Wichita, KS
July 26-29: Jayhawk Summer Finale – Overland Park, KS
Team Name: Mokan Elite (KS/MO)
Mid-Season Update:
A loaded Mokan Elite squad that could make some noise in the Peach Jam. A team full of high caliber athletes but overall just great kids in the words of Coach Chris Neff. This group has the size, length plus strong guard play which could propel them for a nice run in South Carolina.
Under the Radar Players:
• Christian Braun – 6’4 G/F – kid that isn’t the biggest name on the roster but
blew up during the 4th session, holds an Ole Miss offer but could brake into
power 5 conference
• Isiaih Mosley – 6’5 F – absolute microwave of the bench that scores with the
best in transition, shot the ball super well in the spring, 40%+ from deep
• Dajaun Harris – 6’1 G – kid that just loves the game, one of the most
unselfish kids that cares more about his teammates success than his,
Missouri State, Tulsa and other offers right now, power 5’s keeping a close
watch
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Nike Peach Jam – North Augusta, SC
July 19-22: Hardwood Classic- Lawrence, KS
July 25-29: The Eight – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: Bradley Beal Elite
Mid-Season Update:
This Bradley Beal Elite team has been highly competitive all year long. Another Peach Jam qualifier, finishing just one game behind Mokan Elite in Division A of the EYBL. Coach Tim Holloway says he guys are resting up and preparing for South Carolina. The season goal for them is always to make the Peach Jam and both the 16’s and 17’s qualified this season.
Under the Radar Players:
• Josh Wallace – 6’7 F – kid that understands his role and does the things he
needs to do, great team guy, a kid that goes from being the man on his
high school team to doing the little things to make this team successful,
low to mid major interest could make a jump
• Keyyaun Batchman – 6’0 G – comes in to give guards a rest the offense
doesn’t skip a beat, some D2 and low D1 interest, that July period
and high school season could attract mid-majors
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Nike Peach Jam – North Augusta, SC
July 25-29: Las Vegas Classic – Las Vegas, NV
Still looking to finalize their schedule for the remainder of July.
Team Name: All Missouri Attack
Mid-Season Update:
A group that has yet to hit their full stride as they haven’t had their full roster together the entire year. This team in full is a guard heavy group that shoots the ball extremely well. Expect this group to grow over the early part of July as they will start to play together more. A team that could be a pleasant surprise in late July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Colton Pinkley – 6’1 G – super athletic guard that is still getting used to the
team and the physicality but has the intangeables and ability
• Jake Farnsworth – 5’10 G – sharpshooter that has taken a huge step in his
ballhandling, needs to add weight but could be a great piece to a college
program
• Tristian Letterman – 6’5 F – a kid that could be a steal for a D2 if he gets in the
right hands, tons of potential
• Dawson Meinders – 6’2 G- 115 3’s through the high school season, dead eye
shooter, added muscle over the last year to be able to handle physical play
Where can you find them in July?:
July 6-8: Prep Hoops Finale – Oklahoma City, OK
July 19-22: Hardwood Classic – Lawrence, KS
July 26-29: Summer Slam – Kansas City, KS
August 2-5: MAYB Nationals – Wichita, KS
Team Name: Jets Ramey
Mid-Season Update:
This Jets Ramey squad has played well thus far in the season. A group the loves to push the pace and get opposing teams running. An offense that includes a lot of five out motion with dribble drives to put pressure on the rim for guys to go finish or the defenders collapsing for the drivers to find open shooters. This team will use the entire 94 feet of the court for the entirety of the game.
Under the Radar Players:
• Lawrence Brazil – 5’10 G – great spring so far, total floor general couple D2 offers
• Malik Davis – 5’11 G- an absolute menace on-ball defender, has a great motor,
hold D2 offers could bust into that low-major D1 areas
• Donovan Play – 6’6 F – can defend 1-5, handles the ball well, shoots the ball
at a high level, may be one of the most under the radar players in country
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 26-29: Sunflower Showcase – Kansas City, KS
Team Name: Missouri Team Carroll
Mid-Season Update:
A group that has been through some ups and downs this season but has persevered through adversity. Coach Kent Thomas said he’s seen great growth in his guys as the year has gone on. The kids are really talented and want to succeed so effort with this group is never in question. Missouri Team Carroll is taking June to rest and relax before heading on the road again to play another competitive month of basketball.
Under the Radar Players:
• Jake Branham – 6’2 G – little bit of a slow start due to an ankle injury but has
turned it on before the break, kid that scores the ball at a high level
• Quenton Brown – 6’6 F – multi-sport athlete that has improved greatly over the
last year, superior athlete that colleges should keep an eye in July
• Beau Washer – 6’3 G/F – kind of an old-school game that is super effective on
the floor, a kid that wins ball games at the next level, will do a little bit of
everything
Where can you find them in July?:
July 12-15: Midwest Live – Omaha, NE
July 20-22: Mullen’s High Profile – Wichita, KS
July 26-29: Hardwood Classic- Kansas City, KS