adidas Gauntlet Recap- PNW Teams
Multiple northwest programs were in Irvine (LA) California for the adidas Gauntlet. The first session was not a live period for D1 coaches, but the stakes are always high in the adidas events with teams lobbying for a position in…
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Continue ReadingMultiple northwest programs were in Irvine (LA) California for the adidas Gauntlet. The first session was not a live period for D1 coaches, but the stakes are always high in the adidas events with teams lobbying for a position in adidas nationals in July. The northwest has two adidas sponsored programs that participate in the adidas Gold Gauntlet (top division). Team LaVine and the ML20 Enforcers took a plethroa of teams, but specifically one team each in the 15, 16 and 17u Gold Divisions. Here’s how our teams in the northwest performed at the different age groups:
15u:
Team LaVine: 0-4
LaVine’s 15u squad got their first ever taste of the Gauntlet. This is the first year that LaVine has entered in teams from three different age groups and it was definitely a learning experience for these young prospects. They suffered losses to Team Lillard, Game Point, LA Elite and Team Harden by an average of over 30 points per game. This group will continue to grow and can only get better moving forward.
ML20: 2-2
For ML20’s first session and year on the adidas circuit, the 15u team fared pretty well. They secured wins over Team Harden and Game Point, after opening up 0-2 against Team Lillard and LA Elite.
16u:
Team LaVine: 0-4
I wrote a piece on LaVine’s 16u team and the promise they have and I still stand by that. It is obviously going to take some time for them to gel and learn what it takes to play at the highest level, but they have some pieces to work with. As with the 15u, it was the first time for all of these players to be on the circuit. Local aau events are not the adidas Gauntlet. They have 2022’s at the PG, Wing and Post positions, so there is youth all across the board that is playing up. As they get some more experience under their belt, they should do better.
ML20: 3-1
The ML20 16s have a mixture of kids from the northwest and competed at a very high level this weekend. 2021 6’10 P Brody Rowbury (Idaho) provides this team with an anchor in the middle that is not often found at the 16 level. One of their highlight victories came in a 66-33 win over fellow PNW program, Team LaVine. With competitive players from Idaho and Oregon, this team appears to be well equipped to qualify for nationals.
17u:
Team LaVine: 2-2
LaVine’s 17u crew was a little up and down in their first Gauntlet event this year, but kept themselves in the hunt for nationals with a .500 record. Their signature win over ML20 was a big victory for the program. 2020 6’7 SG Tyler Patterson was huge in that game, hitting 5/7 threes. 2020 6’5 W Yousef Elkugia also provided a physical presence defending multiple positions and not backing down from any matchup. He finished with 13 points on 50% shooting. Throughout the event, Tyler Patterson and 2020 6’6 G Jabe Mullins did a fair amount of the scoring, each averaging just over a dozen per game. 2020 6’10 F Mitchell Saxen did what he does best and that is protect the paint on defense. LaVine will look to build off of this weekend and prove themselves among the elite later this spring and summer.
ML20: 3-1
The only blemish on ML20’s weekend was their tough loss to LaVine on Saturday. The three top contributors came from the Washington trio of 2020’s Marjon Beauchamp, Tari Eason and Kendall Munson. This group is really difficult to stop when they are playing at the top of their ability. They secured wins over Cali Rebels, Team Lillard, and Uneek Ballers. While they did not play the top tier Gauntlet programs this weekend, it was a good start for the Enforcers in their first season in the Gauntlet.