Championship Sunday for 16u at #HardWorkSzn Classic
Lincoln Supreme 16u Nation 1 was short handed much of the weekend due to some prospects playing it safe with COVID concerns. That didn’t stop them from bringing home the championship at the #HardWorkSzn Classic. They matched up with another…
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Continue ReadingLincoln Supreme 16u Nation 1 was short handed much of the weekend due to some prospects playing it safe with COVID concerns. That didn’t stop them from bringing home the championship at the #HardWorkSzn Classic. They matched up with another undefeated squad in the championship, the Illinois HoopsStars National 16u. It was a back and forth game to start and the teams went into halftime tied 34-34. The dynamic duo of Isaac Traudt Isaac Traudt 6'9" | SF Grand Island | 2022 State #45 Nation NE and Cale Jacobsen Cale Jacobsen 6'3" | CG Ashland Greenwood | 2022 State NE was too much for the HoopStars to handle and Lincoln Supreme took and held a comfortable lead for most of the second half. The final score was 83-64. Here are three players from both teams that played well in the 16u championship of the #HardWorkSzn Classic.
Illinois HoopStars National 16u
Donovan Jones Donovan Jones 6'0" | PG Solorio | 2022 IL
Jones lead the way at point guard for the HoopStars and hit really tough shots all game. He made a contested jumper from deep early in the first half and later got his defender to foul him on a step back three. Jones converted on all three free throws. In the second half, he got bumped on a left handed drive and shot a fall away floater that hit high off the glass and dropped in. The HoopStars struggled to get stops in the second half, but Jones played solid and showed off his shot making ability.
Christian Meeks Christian Meeks 6'6" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL
Meeks is an athletic forward that finished with power and efficiency all game. Offensively, Meeks set strong screen, rolled hard to the rim, and also made plays as a ball handler on the perimeter. He finished two dunks, one in transition and one off a loose ball in traffic. Meeks worked hard, ran the floor, and made an impact on both ends.
Nick Harrell Nick Harrell 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2022 State IL
Harrell is a long two way wing that is fast in the open floor. He has a quick first step and can blow by defenders with the dribble and in transition. Harrell did a great job defending the taller Isaac Traudt Isaac Traudt 6'9" | SF Grand Island | 2022 State #45 Nation NE on the interior and helping as a rebounder.
Lincoln Supreme National 1 – 16u
Ben Hunzeker Ben Hunzeker 6'3" | SG Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE
Hunzeker has a high motor and is aggressive on both ends of the floor. He consistently beat his matchups back in transition, put his head down, and got to the rim to finish or get fouled. He goes up strong, creates contact, and finishes with soft touch. Many of Hunzeker 13 points came on the fast break, including a nice two handed dunk.
Cale Jacobsen Cale Jacobsen 6'3" | CG Ashland Greenwood | 2022 State NE
Jacobsen is a really shifty guard with excellent hesitations and change of speed moves. He is a great athlete with strength and quickness to lockdown other guards defensively. He can elevate to finish over and through shot blockers and gets up quickly for his second jump to follow misses and get tip ins. Jacobsen got to the rim pretty much anytime he wanted to and finished with 19 points.
Isaac Traudt Isaac Traudt 6'9" | SF Grand Island | 2022 State #45 Nation NE
Traudt seems to be picking up a new offer every other day, and it easy to see why. He is big and agile with a silky smooth jump shot and a tight handle on the ball. He can score with off balance jumpers and create space for himself with step backs and side steps. Defensively, he moves his feet well for a player of his size, rebounds at a very high rate, and blocks and contests shots. He is a mismatch for slower footed bigs and too big for most guards and wings. When he drives or cuts to the rim, he is looking to finish with monster dunks, but has creativity and finesse as well. In the championship game, Trout took over in the second half, hammered home a couple dunks, and scored 32 points. He was the MVP of the game and the 16u division.