3 Takeaways: Factory 16U vs. Team Lillard
The last live period in July is officially underway. Factory’s 16U team has had a lot of success in the spring and the summer. They enter into this last tournament in the 16U Diamond Division of the Fab 48 and played Team Lillard in the first game.
Despite leading for a good portion of the game and leading by double digits in the 1st half, the Factory was unable to take home the W. They came out shooting the basketball extremely well with Dominic Gonzalez Dominic Gonzalez 6'3" | SG Ironwood | 2020 State AZ knocking down three 3s early in the game.
Further, Zeke Thompkins Zeke Thompkins 6'6" | SF Apollo | 2020 State AZ got into the paint early and often which led to layups and free throws for himself and kick outs for his teammates. Team Lillard never quit competing and as a result, they were able to reclaim the momentum and make a huge run. This team is long, physical, and athletic.
Here are 3 takeaways from the Factory’s performance in their game against Team Lillard in which they lost 55-44.
1. Dom Gonzalez
Gonzalez has demonstrated that he is able to score the basketball as well as any prospect in the state. He accounted for nearly half of the team’s points in this contest. While he forced a couple of shots, he shot it nearly 50% and did it off of the catch, dribble, and screens. This team has some of the most upside of any of the club teams in the state and Gonzalez is a key part to it.
2. Missing Key Piecces
While the group was very competitive, in fact, they led be double digits for a good portion of the game, they were undermanned. Marcus Libman has been a key to the team’s success due to his improved ability to shoot it off of the dribble and shooting. Further, Basil Ribakare Basil Ribakare 6'6" | C Brophy Prep | 2020 State AZ has been a monster on the glass. He is still raw in certain areas, but he has tremendous upside and has been a consistent post presence for this group.
3. Stock Risers
Two of the biggest stock risers for the 16U group have been Zeke Thompkins Zeke Thompkins 6'6" | SF Apollo | 2020 State AZ , Sunday John Sunday John 6'3" | SG Phhoenix Prep Post Grad | 2021 AZ , and Curtis Nichols Curtis Nichols 6'4" | PF Phhoenix Prep Post Grad | 2021 State AZ . Thompkins has transitioned to trying to be more of a point guard. This has been a problem for opposing teams as Thompkins is strong, quick, and long. This enables him to get into the paint whenever he wants to.
John, while he has moved out of state and will no longer be playing for Willow Canyon, has also grown tremendously. He plays with a high motor and competes on the defensive end at a high level. Offensively, he has improved his ability to create for himself and has finished a couple of highlight reel type dunks in the process.
Curtis Nichols Curtis Nichols 6'4" | PF Phhoenix Prep Post Grad | 2021 State AZ is still far from his top end. However, he has a great athlete that is learning more and more on how to use that athleticism. He finishes well around the rim and has a soft touch from mid-range. Nichols is another high ceiling prospect whom colleges should have on their radars.