Hoopsgiving Standouts: Juniors
On Monday and Tuesday I attended the Hoopsgiving Basketball Tournament at Deer Valley and Sunnyslope. 16 teams are in the event and I viewed 14 of them. Friday night will be the finals of the event with home team Sunnyslope vs Ironwood.…
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Continue ReadingOn Monday and Tuesday I attended the Hoopsgiving Basketball Tournament at Deer Valley and Sunnyslope. 16 teams are in the event and I viewed 14 of them.
Friday night will be the finals of the event with home team Sunnyslope vs Ironwood. The 3rd place game will be Chaparral vs Apollo.
Here were some of the standout juniors I viewed:
Carson Basham C 6’10 Sunnyslope
-Big man didn’t get a lot of touches but cashed in when he had the opportunity. He has good hands with a cerebral game. Handles the ball surprisingly well and is a big time passing big. Has nice post footwork and can dunk the ball easily. He blocks shots and rebounds well in his area. Quicker hands helps him achieve many defensive assignments.
Bailon Black CG 6’4 Ironwood
-Bigger scoring lead guard. He literally told me he is trying to lead state in assists with the talent around him. Has a pure shooting stroke off the catch and when his feet are set, he has deep range. He doesn’t have that middle game yet but usually drives to make plays and not score. A unique passer with his left just as much as his right hand. Uses length to play the passing lanes. Next year he should jump up in every category without all the star seniors next to him. He’ll be one of the best guards in the AIA next year.
Kevn Kogbara F 6’6 Peoria
-A thicker forward who is very gifted. He can comfortably handle the ball, shoot it from deep plus make plays. He is a good passer, sometimes tries to thread the needle but he can do it. He rebounds well in his area and can play above the rim. He is probably a better defender inside currently than he is in space.
Jeffrey Goodere C 6’9 1/2 Estrella Foothills
-As previously noted Goodere did grow a couple more inches. He is now 6’9 and a half and clearly not done growing either. He moves well and has good length but has to start adding some weight onto his body. He has a nice touch facing up and a right hand hook shot plus rebounds well in his area.
Nick McClain SG 6’2 Greenway
-One of the surprises of the entire event. Strong and tough player who can score it from all 3 levels. Was hot early in the 1st half then slowed down a little but showed he needs to be game-planned by HS opponents. He has deep range with a stronger body to get downhill. A good rebounder in and out of his area with a high motor.
Noah Dutcher PG 6’1 Cactus Shadows
-A cerebral scoring PG who has a quick first step. He has a good feel for the game and is a good passer. He gets downhill with speed and size and he is efficient. He can make strides with his perimeter shooting moving forward.
Daniel Huff PF 6’5 Greenway
-A burly lefty shooter has a nice stroke and rebounds well in his area. He plays hard and is a smart passer and runs the court well. He should have a good year playing off of McClain.