Bluegrass Games State Tournament: 16u Preview
The Bluegrass Games State Tournament takes place this weekend at the Kentucky Basketball Commission in Lexington. We’re previewing the 3 age groups and breaking down the teams and players to watch. We continue with the 16u age group. Top Teams…
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Continue ReadingThe Bluegrass Games State Tournament takes place this weekend at the Kentucky Basketball Commission in Lexington. We’re previewing the 3 age groups and breaking down the teams and players to watch. We continue with the 16u age group.
Top Teams (alphabetical order):
Louisville Prospects – The Prospects have a good group of players and strong chemistry on their roster with multiple players from Spencer County. They are capable of knocking off more talented groups this weekend and taking home the title.
Louisville Magic – The Magic are a bit of an unknown at this point as they didn’t play in The Journey last month. Expect a smaller, scrappy group that puts up a lot of perimeter shots. They have some nice shooters on the roster and are a threat to beat anyone and everyone this weekend.
Manimal Elite – Manimal has the most pure talent in the field this weekend and it may not be that close. They’re still missing KJ Crump KJ Crump 5'8" | PG University Heights | 2021 State KY which makes Isaiah Mason Isaiah Mason 6'4" | SF Bowling Green | 2021 State KY play on the ball. But they are a long and athletic bunch that should be favored to take the title this weekend.
M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs – The Mustangs have two of our top 4 ranked players in the 2021 rankings with Ben Johnson Ben Johnson 6'3" | CG Lexington Catholic | 2021 State KY and Scotty Draud Scotty Draud 6'6" | SF Beechwood | 2021 State KY but aren’t overly talented after those two. They’ll need a big weekend from Devin Perry to knock off the top teams in the state.
Top Players (no particular order):
Cory Vanhoose Cory Vanhoose 5'10" | SG Johnson Central | 2021 State KY , Vision Elite/Johnson Central – Cory is a blue collar player who maximizes his abilities by playing with a motor that is off the charts. Don’t put it past Vanhoose to be among the leading scorers of this weekend’s tournament.
Isaiah Mason Isaiah Mason 6'4" | SF Bowling Green | 2021 State KY , Manimal Elite/Bowling Green – Speaking of high scorers, Mason has started to turn the corner and raise his game a level. Isaiah was one of the best 16u players at The Journey last month and could be tournament MVP if he duplicates that performance.
Scotty Draud Scotty Draud 6'6" | SF Beechwood | 2021 State KY , M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs/Beechwood – Scotty has been battling a toe injury but he’ll have to power through it this weekend for the Mustangs to have a shot at winning the title this weekend. He can get 30+ points in a hurry and he may need to this weekend.
Kale Gaither Kale Gaither 5'10" | PG Madisonville-North Hopkins | 2022 State KY , Louisville Magic/Union County – Gaither is another big scorer. He’ll play with the ball in his hands a ton and is likely to push the pace for a Magic squad that thrives in the open floor. Most in Kentucky haven’t seen Gaither play so get out and check him out this weekend.
Baylor Mattingly Baylor Mattingly 6'1" | SG Lincoln County | 2021 State KY , Kentucky Ambition/Lincoln County – Baylor is known for his shooting ability and will look to spot up from deep all over the KBC this weekend. After being a 41% shooter from 3 as a Sophomore, you can’t leave a hand down around Baylor.
Sam Conley Sam Conley 6'3" | SF Spencer County | 2021 State KY , Louisville Prospects/Spencer County – Sam is an above average athlete and high level scorer. He’ll need to rebound the ball and finish off the dribble this weekend but he’s more than capable. If the Prospects want to make noise, Conley has to play at a high level.
DaShawn Jackson DaShawn Jackson 6'3" | SG Frederick Douglass | 2021 State KY , Manimal Elite/Frederick Douglass – Jackson has shown the ability to take games over with his scoring and shot making. Manimal is going to be tough to stop if both he and Mason are going this weekend.
Ben Johnson Ben Johnson 6'3" | CG Lexington Catholic | 2021 State KY , M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs/Lexington Catholic – Ben has had a really good AAU season thus far and can put an exclamation point on it with a state title. Johnson plays both on and off the ball but has also showed a willingness to rebound that most guards don’t show.