AAU Team Preview: 16U Hype Hawks (Travis)
Roster Luka Avaliani (Walton) Matthew Cleveland (Cambridge) Najhae Colon (Kell) Kyle Duncan (Centennial) Nathaniel Gordon (Mount Pisgah) Devin McGlockton (South Forsyth) Cole Middleton (Pace Academy) Max Smith (West Forsyth) Sutton Smith (Denmark) Logan Turner (Centennial) Ayedon Watson (Sequoyah) Analysis…
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Luka Avaliani (Walton)
Matthew Cleveland (Cambridge)
Najhae Colon (Kell)
Kyle Duncan (Centennial)
Nathaniel Gordon (Mount Pisgah)
Devin McGlockton (South Forsyth)
Cole Middleton (Pace Academy)
Max Smith (West Forsyth)
Sutton Smith (Denmark)
Logan Turner (Centennial)
Ayedon Watson (Sequoyah)
Analysis
- The 16U Hype Hawks (Travis) squad is one of the best teams in Georgia for their class. This majority of this group has been together for their 3rd AAU season and the camaraderie on the floor is indicative of that. To start the 2019 travel campaign the Hawks participated in the On the Radar Preseason event which consisted of two shoe sponsored programs in the Georgia Stars and AOT (Athletes of Tomorrow) on their schedule. The squad left the showcase with a 2-1 record overall but made a big statement with them competing with some of the best circuit organizations in the country for the 16U division.
- Hype Hawks – Travis are led by their do it all wing and Cambridge high school star, Matthew Cleveland. Fresh off an offer from Florida State, Cleveland can play any style of game and be successful. At 6’5” with long arms and big time athleticism, he makes it a habit of playing above the rim. He can also handle the basketball to score it on all three levels off the bounce and thrives most in an up and down style of play where he made several impressive finishes among division I size big men inside.
- In order to beat intense defensive pressure, you must have great guard play. The Hawks have that in Denmark point guard Sutton Smith. The 5’9” floor general does a good job of not allowing defenses to speed him up as he gets his team into the best positions to score. He rarely turns the ball over and is crafty when it comes to getting to the FT line late in games. Centennial guard Logan Turner is another guard that helps in the back court but in more of a scoring roll. Turner at 6’4” is confident player and outside shooter but doesn’t mind getting into the lane to show off his athleticism at the rim as well. He is a true gamer and made big time shots late to win their game against Georgia Stars. Turner as well as teammate Kyle Duncan make up a lethal back court for Centennial high school but Hype Hawks as well.
- At the forward position, Head Coach D’Arius Travis has several reliable players to get big time rebounds, blocks, and offensive production when needed. Leading the way is Pace Academy forward Cole Middleton. At 6’6” he has worked on stretching his game out to the perimeter but has always remained a dominant force from 15 feet and closer. His mature frame allows him to bang with those taller than him defensively and at the same time he can take advantage of blowing by those same players on the offensive end. South Forsyth big man Devin McGlockton is another forward available for this team. He isn’t as athletic as Middleton but has great skill with his back to the basket and can pass the basketball as well as any guard on the roster. He has a good mid-range game and usually finds himself with a high number of rebounds by games end as well.
- Overall the Hawks are a very good basketball club with players who know their roles game in and game out. Everyone on this team buys in defensively whether they are in a zone or man and no one is a liability on offense when they check into games. Role players such as Nahjae Colon and Max Smith provide excellent sparks off the bench from the perimeter and provide the difference over the course of long weekends when intense games linger well into the weekend. The Hawks will take their momentum from the OTR Preseason showcase into the Hoopseen Tip-Off and Lakepoint Tip-Off this Friday and Saturday where they will continue to make statements as the AAU season moves into the first live period in mid April.