Grassroots First Person: Gateway Illinois
In our “First Person Grassroots Recap” series we take a look at how the travel team season went for one our state’s programs.
Today we chat with Deryl Cunningham of Gateway Illinois to discuss his 16U team!
Record:
40-4 (Spring 24-2, Summer 16-2)
Championships/Accomplishments:
*Won the championship in every tournament we played except NY2LA & Sunflower Showcase games where there were no playoff brackets.
Spring
– 10-2 POWERADE Circuit (there was no playoff or championship as scheduled for the summer)
– Arch Elite Classic Champions 5-0
– Ramey Midwest Showdown champions 4-0
– Adidas All American champions 5-0
Summer
– Sunflower Showcase games 3-1
– Three Stripes Alliance Champions 6-0
– NY2LA Next Level Invitational made it to Platinum in open division 3-1
– Rumble in the Lou champions 4-0
Key Wins:
– Beat a good Gateway Basketball Club twice in the Adidas All American & 3 Stripes Alliance
– Beat Team Rose 68-64 to win tourney at 3 Stripes Alliance
– Beat Team RWA twice in Powerade Platform
– Beat Ramey Jets United twice in Ramey Midwest Showdown for championship & Rumble in the Lou
– Beat NY2LA circuit teams Chicago Lockdown by 26pts. Beat Reach Legends by 11pts, 68-57.
Overall Thoughts on Season:
Had a good group of kids that should be recruited on various levels. Our kids competed well against all teams.
Standout Performers:
RaySean Taylor 6’0 PG- led our team! Scores well in transition, gets to the FT line, passes well & gets other involved. Also knocks down jump shots to 3ft behind the arc! Shows up to all workouts, great character!
Keydrian Jones 6’5 C/PF- Beast on the o-glass, runs floor well, scores inside around the rim, good jump shot to 17ft, plays at a high level, bully by the basket. Made a couple of 3s in summer. Good player, very disciplined w/ his body!!
Malik Green 6’2 SF/SG- Good athlete that attacks rim for finishes or gets to the line, streaky but can knock down open 3s, excellent rebounder, defends
Cawhan “Skeet” Smith 5’9- small guard who gets an awful lot done. Pest on defense, defends 94 feet, finishes unbelievably well in traffic/rim, good catch & shoot 3, good ball handler, decent mid-range. Should be in convo w/ small guards.