2019 AAU Is Live! (17-U standouts)
AAU Is Live! was held this weekend in Fort Lauderdale. South Florida Elite would take the 17-U bracket with a 63-52 victory over the Jupiter Jaguars in the championship game at Xtreme Action Park.
“I think our guys stepped up big for us,” SFE 17s coach Darren Worrell said. “They rose to the challenge and they adjusted to the way the refs were reffing the game. They made big plays down the stretch, especially in the second half. Dom’s [Dominick Denny] an incredible guard. It’s hard to stay in front of that kid. He’s very shifty, he has a high IQ and he always just seems to make the right play. Martin Mercedes plays hard every possession. They do a great job in setting everybody up.”
Here are the top 17s standouts:
Rivaldo Fairweather, South Florida Elite
Fairweather dominated the paint in the tournament, coming away with two double-doubles Sunday. He cleaned up on the boards.
The 6-foot-5 athlete, who also plays football (tight end/reciever) at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, had 10 points and 10 rebounds in SFE’s opener and followed it up with a 27-point, 12-rebound performance in a 66-59 win over TSA Prep. The 2020 big scored 13 points in SFE’s championship game victory over Jupiter. He is still looking for that first offer. The University of Chicago is showing interest.
Dominick Denny, South Florida Elite
There’s a lot to like about the 2020 point guard, out of North Broward Prep. Denny is a leader. The 5-10 guard has a good handle, can break down defenses with his driving ability, and, yes, he can score, too. Denny finished in double-digits (11, 13 and 20) in all three of SFE’s victories Sunday. “As long as we stay together, and stay composed, I feel like we can beat anybody,” Denny said.
Larry Scott, Jupiter Jaguars
Scott exploded for 24 points (four 3-pointers) in a 53-52 overtime victory over Suns Team Harris. The 2020 standout then helped lead the Jaguars from down 12 points with 10 minutes remaining to a 5-point victory in the semifinals. Scott finished the day with 13 points in the championship game loss to SFE. Scott, of Jupiter High, has nice size at 6-3, 175.
Sean Gormley, Jupiter Jaguars
The left-hander canned a 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining in overtime to send the Jaguars past Suns Team Harris in the quarterfinals. The 2020 guard finished with 13 points, including three 3s. Gormley, who also attends Jupiter High, had 5 points in the championship game.
C.J. Lane, TSA Prep
The 6-5, 190-pound shooting guard can fill it.
Lane has a nice shooting stroke from deep but is just as good taking you to the hole. He attended Orlando Jones and is now at post-grad TLAP Sports Academy. Lane lit up SFE for 25 points, including four 3-pointers. He said he is receiving high interest from Alabama State, Campbell, Holy Cross, Lynn University, Murray State and Jacksonville State.
Martin Mercedes, South Florida Elite
The 2020 guard out of Miami Palmetto scored in double-digits in all three games for SFE Sunday. Mercedes had 15, 10 and 12 points in the three victories.
Sheldon Edwards, TSA Prep
The 6-3 2019 guard, who averaged more than 21 points a game for Palm Beach Lakes, was TSA’s other big weapon. Edwards scored 14 points in falling to SFE in the semifinals. He has an offer from Fort Valley State and interest from Palm Beach Atlantic and St. Thomas University.
Castra Gedeon, Boynton Elite
The first thing you notice out of the 5-10 junior out of West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman is his quickness. Gedeon can handle the ball and get past defenders. He plays good, tight defense. Gedeon led Boynton Elite past the South Florida Cobras, 60-48. Boynton was beaten by Jupiter to go to the championship game.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via text at 954-661-9671.