tES: Weekend in Review (June 8)
The Endless Summer. A blog by Cory B. McKinnis. Last weekend, I attended the BTR Main Event on Saturday in Oklahoma City. The event provided outstanding exposure for scores of Oklahoma athletes with numerous college coaches in attendance. As far as…
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A blog by Cory B. McKinnis.
Last weekend, I attended the BTR Main Event on Saturday in Oklahoma City. The event provided outstanding exposure for scores of Oklahoma athletes with numerous college coaches in attendance. As far as introductory weekends go, it was a hit for the grassroots community as parents, hoop junkies, videographers and recruiting reporters saw live basketball action for the first time since March, while athletes from across the state showcased their newfound talents and kicked out the quarantine rust. The Main Event served as a sufficient preview for what’s to come this summer. Now, on to the Endless Summer.
Player of the Weekend. . .
I know you’re all sick of hearing about him; believe me, I get it. But Sean Pedulla continues to play at a Division-I level on a weekly basis for Team Buddy Buckets. The Edmond Memorial star point guard ushered in his senior summer in spectacular style. He displayed outstanding touch around the rim, and getting there appeared no daunting task for him, either. His ball-handling skills have seen further improvements, even from his last appearance in February. He converted on numerous difficult shots Sunday morning while perpetually maintaining his threat from the 3-point line. On an almost predictable scale, Pedulla primed defenders by taking the ball to the rack early to set up the deep ball in the second half. Defensively, his game has improved, not congruently with, but to level with his offensive skill-set. He harassed ball-handlers in an adherent and focused fashion from the half-court. After a few possessions of studying his adversary’s favorite maneuvers, Pedulla struck to take the ball the distance for an easy finish on the opposite end. Pedulla’s transition from a sophomore standout to a senior super-star has predicated upon habitual improvements to his skill-set each weekend the past two grassroots seasons, and it’s coming together beautifully for him. I’ve maintained that his most advantageous capability is to adapt to opponents — on a competitive scale and an existential scale.
AAU Bingo. . .
The grassroots gods definitely had treat for me in OKC last weekend; My punch-card is already half-way full after just one weekend of basketball. All jokes aside, the environment of OKC grassroots tournaments is truly second-to-none, and if you’re a hoops junky in the 405-area code, I would recommend checking out the young talent at least once this summer. After nine months deprived of travel-ball, I forgot how much I appreciated it — not just the game itself, but the coaches, parents, socialites and venues that really make this thing go.
Two point guards I loved. . .
Travon Patton | Next Level B-Ball | Kole Johnson | Top Notch |
2021 PG | Putnam City | 2021 PG | Putnam City North |
Patton displayed floor general capabilities, including sharp passing, vocal leadership, high-paced play and all-around hustle. He’s fast as they come, indicative in his defensive show-stopping and offensive transition playmaking. He fit wow passes into tight windows and handled the ball at top-gear well and maintained that pace for long stretches of play. | If his court leadership indicated the improvements to his game, Johnson is prepared for a primary on-ball role for the Panthers next season. He was a catalyst in Top Notch advancing deep into the bracket last weekend, utilizing his vision, awareness and handles to make plays and create opportunities for his teammates. Johnson may be primed for a breakout year in 2021. |
He’s from where? —Rural prospect spotlight. . .
Seth Meadows | 2021 Team Buddy Buckets C | Tushka |
Meadows entered the weekend with high hopes as the latest addition to Team Buddy Buckets’ improved 17U program, who has tried a few players at the post position in previous summers. Though he has some chemistry-building to do with his new teammates, he already shows great charisma and play-making abilities without the ball. Here were a few notes I took from three matches I spectated:
- Nice touch around the rim.
- 6-foot-9-inch frame.
- Displayed court awareness, chemistry with teammates and off-ball movement to score.
- High iQ.
- Will benefit greatly from grassroots competition.
- A+ foot-work.
- Could use some hand-work development.
Video of the Weekend. . .
We’ll shut this thing down with some fantastic lens work from none other than our own Joshua Cleary:
First full weekend back and @BuddyBuckets takes home the BTR tournament championship.
Sean Pedulla and Dalante Shannon combine for 45+ in the championship matchup against OK Chaos.#PrepHoops | 🎥: @_JRCMedia_ https://t.co/744nJnwAi0
— Prep Hoops Oklahoma (@PrepHoopsOK) June 8, 2020