3 Takeaways: PHH UAA 17U vs. Team Zona
Despite being from the same state, it took a pairing up in the Elite 8 of the Bigfoot Las Vegas Classic to see Powerhouse UAA 17U and Team Zona play against each other. Both teams have had a lot of success this July which made this game quite highly anticipated.
The early moments did not fail to create intrigue as both teams combined to hit their first 8 shots while Zona drilled three 3s. The offensively fireworks did not continue near as much from there as the final score ended with PHH winning 63-58.
Team Zona came out swinging and competed all of the way through. Zona has earned a reputation for being a hard nosed opponent who is not afraid to go toe to toe with anyone. They demonstrated just that in this contest. However, PHH was able to do just enough to walk away with a 5 point win. Powerhouse’s summer would be finished in the next round, the final four, in a highly competitive game against Urban ASAK Elite.
1. Josh Johnson vs. Jackson Ruai
There is almost a foot that separates the two prospects in height. However, both play with a bulldog mentality that cannot be measured.
While both had their moments in terms of success, Johnson was able to get into the paint and create for himself and his teammates well. Many question whether or not Johnson can play at the next level due to his height. However, Ruai is without a doubt the top on-ball defender in his class and possesses NCAA Division-I offers due to his abilities. Thus, it is far from a typical day at the park in which Johnson was able to get into the paint against an average defender.
While Johnson had some success, Ruai made everything difficult for him. Ruai was able to highly contest and block a couple of Johnson’s shots while applying great on-ball pressure that made it hard for Johnson to get to his spots within the offense. These two guys are competitors and absolutely went after it.
2. Scoring from All 3 Levels
Two of the most versatile prospects in the game were Donovan Reagan, Team Zona, and Otis Frazier, Powerhouse. Both prospects are known for their athleticism. However, they showed that they can do more than that.
Reagan started the game 2 for 2 from 3 and did not stop there. Further, he showed what everyone already knew: He can score the basketball from everywhere on the court seemingly effortlessly. While the 2018 prospect is still unsigned, he has the ability to be an immediate impact offensive player for an array of schools.
Frazier, on the other hand, intrigues me due to all of the little things he does in games. His length and motor enable him to get his hands on a number of passes and create easy opportunities for himself. While he did that in this one as well, what impressed me more was his ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways. He hit a step back 3, a mid-range jumper, and got a transition dunk. His versatility makes him one of the top prospects in the state.
3. Majok Deng and Keyvaughn Williams
While there is much to be said about Deng and what he brings to the table, one of his strongest attributes is his ability to guard multiple spots on the floor. In this contest, he did just that as he guarded everywhere from 1-5 with success.
In fact, on multiple possessions, he got stuck on a post player and did a great job of building a wall to make it hard on the offensive player to get a shot off. Deng is fundamentally sound and will be a solid defender and shooter at the next level. One of the most impressive 3s of the day involved him collected a loose ball and pulling it with a defender in his face.
On the other side of the court, Williams showed what anyone who has ever watched him knew: He is not afraid to compete. The recent ACU signee has been boasted about by the ACU coaching staff due to his competitive mentality and ability to keep the basketball in front while extending pressure. He made those statements true in this one as well.
Williams will leave Deer Valley and look to compete at one of the top NAIA schools in the nation. Needless to say, he showed that he has a mean streak that will aid him in having success at that level.