Comets Shootout: Playmaker 16s win a Saturday pair
The Wisconsin Playmakers program continues to grow and today we saw both a Northern Minnesota squad and a Western Wisconsin team win at the 16u level. Richie Murphy Wisconsin Playmakers Siler defeated Comets Thuot 66-35 in 16 and Under…
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Continue ReadingThe Wisconsin Playmakers program continues to grow and today we saw both a Northern Minnesota squad and a Western Wisconsin team win at the 16u level.
Richie Murphy
Wisconsin Playmakers Siler defeated Comets Thuot 66-35 in 16 and Under first round action. The Playmaker defense forced the Comets to miss their first 12 field goal attempts of the game building an early 12-0 lead and the lead steadily built from there. Joe Reuter (Chi-Hi 6-foot-0 guard) and Austin Weis (Cameron 6-3 wing) combined for nine treys and point guard Richie Murphy (Cameron 5-8 PG) did all the distributing.
Player of the Game
The five three-pointers from Reuter led to a 23 point outing hitting everything when he had a chance to get his feet set. With Murphy doing an outstanding job of finding open shooters it was up to Reuter to cut to position which he did for a 9 of 14 shooting day. Add in the hustle for eight rebounds plus three assists and some steals and you have an easy selection for Player of the Game.
Notes
- Richie Murphy not only created for teammates in wizard like ways, he made sure every lead was to an open shooter for a high percentage shot. A big reason for his 11 assists was the fact that every shot he created was comfortable for his teammates.
- Austin Weis was another Playmakers shooter that had a big day catching and hitting of 6 of 12 field goal attempts. Weis – who is 6-foot-3 – made four triples stretching the Comets defense past their limits.
- Comets Thuok 6-foot-3 2021 Alex Braun of Annandale was one player that was able to put together a consistent game. Braun scored on 5 of 8 field goals for scoring 14 points. Braun at one point had his own personal 8-0 run to give the Comets an early chance.
Parker Maki
Wisconsin Playmakers North (a team of talented Northern Minnesota kids) took an early shot from Acceleration and then cruised their way to a 66-48 victory. Hibbing pair Parker Maki and Ayden McDonald led their high school squad into a top ten spot in Class AAA and with performances like this you have to wonder if they can guide Playmakers North into the 16U top ten.
Player of the Game
Six-foot-6 Parker Maki first grabbed the attention of coaches and fans by dunking physically and effortlessly in the warm-ups but later it was his team high in scoring (17 points) and assists (four) that earned eyes his way. Maki made 8 of 13 shot attempts scoring his 17 points. He’s every bit the physical athlete that will draw attention from a range of local college programs
Notes
- Ayden McDonald is playing up a level (he’s a freshman playing with sophomores) and the comfort is there. McDonald aggressively looked for his offense early pushing to a 15 point game sinking half his dozen attempts.
- Really like what Mattie Thompson – a 6-foot-4 small forward – gave to Playmakers North. Made a three, scored on 4 of 7 looks for 11 points and aggressively boarded (8 total).
- The Playmakers lone double figure effort rebounder was 6-foot-4 forward Matthew Welch of Cherry High School. Welch used his length to grabbed ten boards.
- The game high effort guy? Ethan Upsahl of Sauk Rapids and Acceleration. Had 11 points and ten points for a double double. Griffin Rushin of Brainerd just missed a double-double (10 and 9).