Just Play August 17U Standouts
The Courts continued their run of putting together quality tournaments with solid play from top to bottom and plenty of competition. In the 17U division, not a single team went undefeated, which told the story of how close the games…
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Continue ReadingThe Courts continued their run of putting together quality tournaments with solid play from top to bottom and plenty of competition. In the 17U division, not a single team went undefeated, which told the story of how close the games were. Here are some standouts from 17U.
Amondo Miller Amondo Miller 6'6" | CG Valor Christian | 2021 State CO – Colorado Miners
Miller is indeed having an incredible summer and taking his game to a whole new level. Every single time out that I have seen him, his game has jumped off of the page as he is putting up big scoring numbers. What separates Miller right now is his ability to adapt. Prior to this summer, Miller was an off of the ball scorer that slashed, found holes in the defense, and got to the rim. This summer, however, he looks to be working on turning into a lead guard that wants the ball in his hands. Miller is the team’s point guard, and at 6’6, he is causing mismatches and havoc for the defense. He is showcasing an improved handle, jump shot, and dissecting teams in different ways. For the Miners, he was able to score in bunches as well as get the unit operating—another solid showing for him as he continues to rise.
Michael Wolf Michael Wolf 6'0" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO – Pro Skills
Wolf is playing some of his best basketball right now, and others around the state are starting to take notice. Wolf is undoubtedly one of the best shooters in the state, and what differentiates him from other guards is he just as good of a shooter off of the dribble as he is with his feet set. Wolf is putting up big scoring numbers while being the primary ballhandler for the team. In the championship game, he finished with seven 3-pointers and 30 points to be the high scorer on the day. He’s in a rhythm. Wolf is also starting to apply himself a bit more on the defensive end and taking on a bigger load. He is making it a point to defend other scoring guards, forced a switch with a smaller teammate to defend a bigger player that was starting to get going, and helping the team in different ways. Wolf is a player to watch, and if he continues on this path, then it should be quite a year for Regis.
Jarmell Johnson Jarmell Johnson 6'3" | SG George Washington | 2021 State CO — Knights Elite
There was a wild game against the Miners in which Johnson took over. When he is in attack mode and not settling for outside jumpers, he is something to watch. In this close win, he finished in traffic, attacked and scored with his off-hand, got in the open court and dunked, and applied pressure on the defense, which forced defenders to step back, and that is when he knocked down his shot. Johnson has to make it a point to attack often as opposing teams don’t have many defenders that can match his skill set. He has size and athleticism and also can put the ball on the floor, which creates more room and scoring opportunities for him and his teammates. With other players out due to injury, it was on Johnson to carry the scoring load, and he did an excellent job of running the offense. Want to see more of that from him.
Blakely Stoughton — Pro Skills
Stoughton is one of my picks for one of the most underrated players in the state. He has been having a huge summer, and if not for an injury that set him back for a couple of weeks, then I think that more people would’ve seen him explode. Stoughton is one of those players that does not realize just how good he is. When he attacks, good things happen as he has a unique ability to put the ball in the basket. Stoughton has good size at 6’5, and he uses his length to get inside. This smooth lefty gets to his spots inside of the defense and rises up for mid-range jumpers, and power moves with a mean left-hand hook. He also made it a point to step out and shoot it. In the championship game, Stoughton finished with 26 points as he knocked down four 3-pointers, raced down the court and behind the defense for easy finishes, and stayed aggressive off of the dribble. Stoughton is a natural scorer that is not afraid to bang inside and out. When he realizes the type of scorer, he is; watch out.
Colton Gillingham Colton Gillingham 6'0" | CG Greeley West | 2021 State CO – Colorado Chaos
In a win against Pro Skills, Gillingham had himself a day. Gillingham has a toughness to him that is contagious, and he is a tenacious two-way player that is always on the attack. He is running it right at you on offense and is capable of pulling off substantial individual scoring runs. In this game, he finished with 26 points as he made it a point to apply pressure early defensively and dish it out on offense in the second half. Gillingham knows where to be on the floor and has an excellent understanding of the game. He is a natural scorer that can hurt a team from all three levels. His outside shot was flowing, but he also was making plays that benefitted the team. He passed it to open teammates, moved without the ball, and was out in the open floor for outlet opportunities. Gillingham continues to impress me as he has been the Chaos’s best player all season long.