Hoop Memorial Day Classic: U15 Open Championship Performers
Sunday was the day of bracket championship games at The Hoop Memorial Day Classic and the most exciting finish of all of them had to be the 15U Open Division title game. The matchup featured two 14U teams playing up,…
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Continue ReadingSunday was the day of bracket championship games at The Hoop Memorial Day Classic and the most exciting finish of all of them had to be the 15U Open Division title game. The matchup featured two 14U teams playing up, the Rose City Rebels and Friends of Hoop out of Seattle, and it came down to the wire as Riley Williams (pictured) made a steal and converted a layup with two seconds remaining for a 62-61 Rebels win.
Here are the top performers from the game.
Marquis “Mookie” Cook (2023 Jefferson/Rose City Rebels 14U) – Cook actually started the weekend playing up with the Rebels 15U team at the EYBL in Dallas but came back to join the 14U squad in Salem. The 6-foot-5 (and apparently still growing) freshman-to-be is a special talent. He handles and passes the ball like a point guard, but has the athleticism and length to make a difference on the boards, defensively, and inside. There wasn’t a lot on the court Cook couldn’t do and there’s still so much upside to his game. He’s expected to make an immediate impact at Jefferson next year and colleges are already aware of his presence. We’ll have a prospect spotlight posted up on him soon.
Esyah Pippa-White (2023 Columbia Christian/Rose City Rebels 14U) – With Jackson Shelstad playing up with the Rebels 15U squad, Pippa-White has slid into the starting point guard role and has shined. He’s a steady playmaker who surveys the floor well, knowing when to look for his own offense or get the ball to others. He shot the ball well from the outside in the finals, draining some threes, but also had some solid drives to the basket where he either scored himself or found a teammate for an open layup. According to his father, head coach Cliff White, his high school destination isn’t completely set for next year quite yet but they do love Columbia Christian head coach Bart Valentine.
Sanborne Melson (2023 Jefferson/Rose City Rebels 14U) – Melson has athletic genes in his blood as his older brother Silas Melson is a former 5A player of the year at Jefferson, played/graduated from Gonzaga, and is now playing professionally. In Salem, he played hard on both ends, showed the ability to knock down the open three and also take it strong to the basket. Melson seemed to allow the game to come to him instead of forcing the issue. He may not play varsity right away at Jefferson but should move his way up in the program quickly.
Riley Williams (2023 Central Catholic/Rose City Rebels 14U) – Williams is a developing post player who showed the willingness to battle down inside and get physical. He scored largely inside but could also face up and hit some mid-range shots. Defensively he was very active especially in the full-court press and it was his steal and finish that gave the Rebels the lead for good and the championship win. He noted that he will be attending Central Catholic next fall.
Kelson Gebbers (2023 Brewster/Friends of Hoop 14U) – Gebbers is long and lanky at 6-foot-4 but prefers to play on the perimeter, which isn’t a surprise since he had the best-looking outside shot out of anybody on the floor. He nailed a couple of catch-and-shoot threes but also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor a little and make jumpers as well. Gebbers older brother Cade currently plays on varsity at Brewster.
Samuel Chen (2023 Newport/Friends of Hoop 14U) – Chen obviously lacks size standing around 5-foot-3 but he may have been the most consistent shot-maker for FOH in the final game. He was deadly from three-point range and despite his size disadvantage, knew how to score getting to the hoop with a variety of rainbow flip shots and runners.
Alex Yu (2023 Bellevue/Friends of Hoop 14U) – Yu showed a nice all-around offensive game, whether it was hitting from the outside – it was his three that knotted the game up and sent it to overtime – scoring in the mid-range, or around the basket. At about 6-feet, what his role at Bellevue will be may depend on how much he grows but he showed a good feel for the game.