#SpringKickoff Championship Sunday: Not To Go Unnoticed – Colorado Edition
Of course with it being a Denver, Colorado ran tournament there were plenty of in-state teams that had a successful run. While there were top guards who ran the show, big men who dominated with scoring and wings who showed…
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Continue ReadingOf course with it being a Denver, Colorado ran tournament there were plenty of in-state teams that had a successful run. While there were top guards who ran the show, big men who dominated with scoring and wings who showed off their versatility there were players who also impacted the game in between in various ways and they cannot go without notice. Without further ado here is my five standouts who went under the radars.
Lucas Moerman – Colorado Hawks 17U
Moerman is a big man that people are going to grow to love on this 17U Hawks team. He is a player that not many in state have seen as he is in Colorado Springs but with him now playing with one of our most prestigious teams for Grassroots people will get to see the type of player he is and he showcased that on Championship Sunday. On a loaded team with some of our state’s best Moerman not only fits in but stands out. He is a 6’10 difference maker that showed that he can lead at times and be the go to option as well as play alongside others and complement the team doing the dirty work. With Trevor Baskin, Graham Ike and Moerman this makes up for arguably the best frontcourt in the state. Moerman is a big man that is able to consistently knock down shots which make it difficult to key in on the big guys for the Hawks down low. Moerman is a big time rebounder with a long wing span which he uses to grab rebounds that are difficult to get to. He also is an above average shot blocker that is able to use his long slender frame to make things difficult on opposing teams and is able to open things up which makes it easier for others. Moerman is a player that does not quite know his capabilities just yet but once he gets it all together he is going to be able to dominate and be a top three big man in the state. Huge summer coming up for him and he does not only have to score to see his production – but he can.
Trevor Baskin – Colorado Hawks 17U
Baskin is another very skilled big man that is a triple-double type of threat each time out as he is able to score, rebound and also a big man that has great court vision. He is one of the few big men who sees the court from a guards perspective and is a willing passer despite being able to light it up. Against Team KC Grey it was Baskin that led the way with his scoring as he finished with 21 points and also recorded eight rebounds to go along with it. He is a board crasher that goes straight up after getting the ball and is crafty around the rim. He is able to consistently knock down mid-range extended jump shots and is a perfect zone breaker as he moves on the block without the ball, looks to attack once he gets it and has some of the best post moves from a big man that Colorado has to offer. What I would like in Baskin’s natural progressions is to be able to take over games and not limit himself. Once he gets to 20, try to get to 30, once he gets to 30, try and get to 40. I think a lot of what Baskin does has its limits and he is a player that is capable of having one of those insane numbers type of nights that will be talked about for a long time. Baskin is a big time player that seems to have it all he just has to realize how good he is and make it happen and you saw that with some of the plays that he had over the weekend and especially in the win over Team KC Grey.
C.J Thomas – Colorado Chaos
Thomas is not a player that many had on their radar before the weekend capable of having an explosive type of weekend but should of ended on many peoples radars with how he played. This Chaos team truly surprised many for them to be without two of their best players in Zion Ruckard and Caleb McGill and competed well without those two and it was Thomas who led the way. He was a double-double machine throughout the weekend and in the two games I was able to observe really stood out with both scoring and also crashing the glass and making sure his presence was felt. He is a big man with an offensive skillset to counter. When the defense backs up he hits them with mid-range pullups or soft floaters on the rim and if they are close on him he makes sure that he is physical back and looking to score. He was able to finish with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Gamepoint Inland and continued that solid play against Wyoming Power as he had another double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. He showed that with the right opportunity and freedom to go after it that he is able to score in bunches and get his and has the strength to matchup with the opposing teams big and compete. He jumped on our radars as a player to watch moving forward and will surely be a stock booster as well.
Trevaughn Williams – Colorado Hawks 16U
Williams is a player that can score in bunches and makes impacting plays with his athleticism that typically leads to baskets. He is very explosive with the ball and one of the most entertaining players to watch in the open court as he can fly. He takes off and finishes at the rim as easy as any other player in the state as he gets to the bucket with a crossover and finish. He attacks the paint from the perimeter with a tight handle which frees himself up and is able to score at the rim. He also shows that he has range on his jump-shot. He is a game changer with a change of pace and although he was not scoring a ton he was able to affect the game with his ability to break down the defense and demand the double team where he either dropped it off or finished in the open court with multiple highlight dunks. Williams is a next level athlete with high upset that is passive. Once he is able to understand what to do with all of his athleticism he is going to be one of the top scorers in the state.
Christian Speller – Colorado Miners 17U
It was Christian who brought the intensity and set the tone that almost helped the Miners beat one of the best teams in the country. The Miners had Team Buddy Buckets on their heels and it was Speller that was aggressive defensively and picked up full court. He was able to generate two steals and a couple deflections to get the Miners out and running with Buddy Buckets and he also showed that offensively he is also progressing at a rapid pace. He is able to get inside and attack the paint and he understands his strength and size which led to a basket or got him to the free throw line. He has great court vision and is a willing passer that makes the right play. Speller has great size and uses it to his advantage by getting to the rim and finishing over smaller defenders. He finished with eight points but showed that when he is locked in he is a difference maker that makes things extremely difficult for opposing teams as he is too big and strong for guards but too fast for the bigger guys. His confidence on offense is growing and he has the capabilities of scoring whenever it is he wants. If he continues to work on that part of his game as he is a pest on defense and an excellent rebounder from the guard spot he will be able to dominate.