17U Basketball – The Final Week – Where Are They?
Looking to get one last look at the 17U players in South Dakota? We give you a rundown of where they are, what they are playing in, and who they may face.
South Dakota Attack
Where: Las Vegas
What: The Las Vegas Classic
Who: The Attack is one of 308 17u teams playing in the Las Vegas Classic. The Attack is in a pool with a solid Beyond Ball 24K team who we believe is from Iowa, one of the numerous Gamepoint Elite teams, and with Texas Hoopsters Elite. If the Attack wins their pool do they get a chance to face the shoe company teams? Yes. The winner of the Attack pool plays the second place team from pool H (winnable game) and then would likey face EYBL Oakland Soldiers (nationally ranked top 25) or maybe Dallas Showtyme.
Final Say: This event gives the Attack a chance to play some solid teams from around the country and if they get on a run they will get a chance to play against one of the nation’s elite teams.
Pentagon Schoolers
Where: Las Vegas
What: Fab 48
Who: The Schoolers are in an event so big they have now moved to six different divisions (17U Invite is 1, Diamond is 2, Platinum is 3, Gold is 4, Silver is 5, and the new one, Ruby, is 6). The Schoolers are in Platinum which is the third of the six, and has pretty solid competition. The Schoolers have Juice All Stars from the east coast, Texas Bluechips Southwest, and TF Elite (?). Within that pool, if the Schoolers get 1st or 2nd, they move on to Platinum bracket play which will be good teams but won’t have any of the nation’s elite squads to face. How many teams? Too many to count and the site doesn’t give a group number at 17U. I would say about 225 17u teams.
Final Say: I feel like this is the perfect event for the Schoolers to play solid teams from around the nation and play games that will be competitive and winnable. They could make a decent run.
South Dakota Venom
Where: Lawrence, Kansas
What: Hardwood Classic II
Who: The Venom is in the Hardwood Classic II which is a 17u event with 40 teams that is a solid tournament but nothing like the talent of Hardwood Classic I. The Venom has a very good Iowa Pump N Run Black squad in their pool along with Primetime Ballerz 16u team. The top teams looked to be a couple squads from Iowa (Barnstormers, Kingdom Hoops Elite) or one of the many second teams from programs like KC Spurs, Howard Pulley, OSA Crusaders, and others.
Final Say: This event is wide open. If this is the top Barnstormers team they will be the favorite but from there it’s wide open.
BBA Force Reggie
Where: Omaha, Nebraska
What: MAYB
Who: One of six teams playing in a 17u division that is split into two different divisions. The other teams are from Iowa and Nebraska.
Final Say: Perfect final event to finish the year against a group of teams they can beat and have a nice run. .