Prep Hoops Sweet 16: 1st Team
The Prep Hoops Sweet 16 has concluded with the host school, Ironwood High School, winning the tournament. The prospects below were the most outstanding at the event. Due to their solid play, their teams experienced a lot of success. Stay…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Sweet 16 has concluded with the host school, Ironwood High School, winning the tournament. The prospects below were the most outstanding at the event. Due to their solid play, their teams experienced a lot of success. Stay tuned for the 2nd Team as well!
MVP
JJ White 6’3 PG/SG 2021 Ironwood
White was without a doubt the most dominate prospect at the event. He has long been herald as an elite 3 and D type of guy. White demonstrated that as he averaged 5 three pointers per game and was one of the top defenders at the event. He is tough on the basketball and is constantly getting his hands on passes in help side. Against Chandler, he hit a game high 7 threes.
In addition to shooting the basketball well and locking up on defense, JJ demonstrated improved athleticism and a much improved ability to put the basketball on the floor. Bottom line: He was a bucket this weekend and was a huge part of the success of the Eagles. He often gets overlooked because many of the things he does for the group do not show up on the stat sheet. This weekend, he did a lot of things that showed up on and off of the stat sheet.
1st Team
Dominic Gonzalez 6’3 PG/SG 2020 Ironwood
Gonzalez was labeled as a shooter as freshman and sophomore. As a junior, many changed that label to a scorer as he showed an improved ability to get to his defenders hip and finish around the rim. This year, he is looking more like a playmaker.
He is one of the few prospects at the event who can truly score from any spot on the court. He can shoot off of the dribble and in catch and shoot situations. Further, he can come off of screens and hit mid-range jumpers as well as connect from deep and in the paint.
However, what is impressing college coaches at this point is his improved strength, athleticism, and passing. He is able to hold the defenders on his hip better which is giving him time and angles to make great reads. His ability to make the defense pay when they rotate to help was solid at this event. Further, he solid on the glass and on the defensive end of the floor.
Bailon Black 6’4 PG 2021 Ironwood
Black is one of the best passers in the state. He is constantly surveying the floor and finding the rotations. This weekend, he threw a couple of one handed skip passes to the opposite corner while dribbling full speed that were on time and on target. While White did his job in hitting the shots, Black was typically the individual breaking down the defense and making the right reads to get this shooter his shots.
In addition to passing the basketball well, Black showed an improved ability to get the defender on his hip and finish around the rim as well. Further, he pestered opposing guards with his pressure. He does a tremendous job of beating the opposing guard to spots and taking charges.
Black’s length, height, and skill set have played a huge role in the interest he is getting from next level coaches.
Isaac Monroe 6’0 PG 2020 Peoria
The word elite is thrown out there a lot when few are truly elite. Monroe is in that category with his shooting. He does not miss when he is given time. He can do it off of the dribble and in catch and shoot situations. Further, he has improved his ability to attack off of the dribble.
Monroe is morphing from a shooting guard to a point guard with the departure of Kaleb Brown. Many tend to believe that players cannot shift to become point guards. However, Monroe is doing an exceptional job. He is managing the tempo of the game well, creating for himself and others, and still shooting it at a high level from deep.
Carson Kelly 5’10 PG 2020 Chandler
Kelly is shifty and smooth. He has an extremely high basketball IQ and never stops moving. He is able to touch paint at will and finishes extremely well despite his size. Further, like some of the other guards on this list, he is a skilled passer who makes good decisions with the basketball.
Kelly never stops moving around either. On the defensive end of the floor, he pressures the basketball well and rotates in help side. He is constantly making game changing plays.
Tanner Meyer 6’5 PF 2020 Sunrise Mountain
Meyer was one of the best undersized posts in the state last season. Despite his size, he possesses great footwork and finishes well around the rim. Moreover, he uses his size to bully bigger opponents. Further, he improved his ability to shoot the basketball from deep.
He is looking leaner and more skilled. Meyer and Colin Carey are going to be the two playmakers who make Sunrise Mountain go this upcoming season. Meyer looks like he is ready to do his part and more. He is becoming a more recruitable prospect daily due to his skill set and work ethic.