5 biggest takeaways from Big Shots Mountain Mayhem
Big Shots Mountain Mayhem was a stellar event with teams from South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Here’s a look at the 5 biggest takeaways from the weekend. 1. B Maze Elite has studs across the board B Maze Elite…
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Continue ReadingBig Shots Mountain Mayhem was a stellar event with teams from South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Here’s a look at the 5 biggest takeaways from the weekend.
1. B Maze Elite has studs across the board
B Maze Elite was the host team for this weekend’s tournament and they certainly delivered with their fair share of talent across the board. On their 17U squad, Jaden Springer was sidelined with a foot injury, but guard Joe Anderson and wing Darlinstone Dubar lightened the load for them. Anderson is an emerging guard that can score on all three levels. Dubar is a player that roams the wing and likes to play above the rim.
On their 16U squad, wing Drew Williams and versatile big man Brandon Huntley-Hatfield ran the show for B Maze Elite, although they took a tough loss in pool play to the VABA Bruins. Williams is a big guard prospect with tons of upside. Huntley-Hatfield is a big man that can handle and bring the ball up the floor.
2. Don’t sleep on the VABA Bruins
The VABA Bruins were turning heads all weekend in good ole Rocky Top. They upset B Maze Elite’s 16U squad in pool play behind 27 points from 6-foot-5 forward Josh Morse. Morse and 6-foot-6 forward Landon Swingler were the heavy hitters for the VABA Bruins this past weekend as they made it all the way to the 16U Semifinals, losing to the Alabama Celtics in the end. Morse averaged 18.0 points per game while Swingler averaged 16.7 points per contest on the weekend. They were also without starting point guard Sihke Mthethwa as well.
3. Kentucky Brigade has some shooters in the wheelhouse
One team that was impressive all weekend long was the Kentucky Brigade. They’re led by 2020 point guard Logan Schwartz, who at first glance doesn’t look like much of a threat until he pulls a stepback 3-pointer in the defender’s face and now you’re intrigued. Schwartz is an aggressive slasher and fearless shooter with weapons around him as well.
His two sharpshooters were 2020 guard Jeremy Davis and 2021 guard Nate Walker. Davis made seven 3-pointers to the tune of 25 points in a 61-52 win over Team Xplosion. Walker was just heating up in that game. In the next one, he led the way behind the arc with five made 3-pointers. With so many shooters, coaches would be wise to keep an eye on this squad.
4. Big men were on full display
There were plenty of big men to keep an eye on this past weekend at RockyTop Sports World. For B-Maze Elite, two emerging bigs to keep an eye on are Handje Tamba and Mekhi Grant. Tamba is a 6-foot-10 big that has the ability to run the floor and protects the rim with precision. Grant is an agile big that can play the wing or the post. He showed off some range with his jump shot as well.
Cade Looney is another big man prospect from Team Xplosion’s 16U squad. He’s got good movement for a big of his size and has deceptive speed and moves in the post. 6-foot-8 big man Shannon Grant was a terror in the paint for the Alabama Celtics with his size and ability. He’s got hands in the paint and a solid presence around the rim.
5. Team Durant 13U delivered some top performances
Team Durant had the court surrounded for their championship game against B Maze Elite in 13U action. Led by 2024 guards Nik Lewis and Dale Jones, Team Durant ran through their competition all weekend up until the championship game.
Nik Lewis reigned supreme from behind the 3-point arc, making nine total between their two games of pool play. Jones showed off his ability to score off the bounce, getting to the rim on numerous occasions. They lost 67-63 in the title game to B Maze Elite, but it surely should help build team chemistry with plenty more games on the way.