The Circuit League II Preview
The Circuit League II is the end of the grassroots season for some. For others, it is a bridge to the preseason leagues in Texas and other states. We will look at some of the preps participating this weekend and…
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Continue ReadingThe Circuit League II is the end of the grassroots season for some. For others, it is a bridge to the preseason leagues in Texas and other states. We will look at some of the preps participating this weekend and what we are hoping to see from them during play over these two days.
Jathen Ross Jathen Ross 6'3" | SG Evangel | 2021 State LA | 6’3″ | The North (2021) – Outside of preseason practice and scrimmages, Ross will be participating in his live action in almost two years. Ross is an athletic wing who can get to the rack and finish over the top. He fits the prototype of the guard/wing that colleges will be interested in. Ross will be lined up against some of the top recruits in Texas and Oklahoma so the platform will be perfect for him. With the long layoff however, it may be a rough one if he does not play well. Look for him to knock the rust off early. If he cannot, it may be a long two days.
Labree Williams Labree Williams 6'6" | SF Calvary Baptist | 2023 #186 Nation FL | 6’5″ | The North (2022) – We have not seen Williams much this summer outside of workouts in his high school gym. This weekend will be a big one in reference to the competition he is facing. He and some of the preps opposite of him are on the radar of the same colleges. It would benefit him to have a good weekend and show that he is on par or better than them. Williams can score anywhere on the floor and has a good enough handle to facilitate or get his own. Playing with some familiar and unfamiliar faces may be somewhat of a challenge but he should be fine. It is basketball.
Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA | 6’5″ | LivOn Fleur-de-lis (2022) – Finister is in the same boat that Williams is. One thing working for Finister is that this is tournament number four with his team so he should have a better comfort level with the guys he is playing with. Finister has a highlight reel a mile long of dunks in transition. This weekend will be about measuring up with players from other regions who have just as much ability as he. How he handles it will be the test. We know his offensively he can get it done. It is on defense where his true test may lie this weekend.
Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA | 6’3″ | The North (2022) – Joe Manning played elite level offense and defense last time we saw him in Jackson, Mississippi. His mid-range ability and defense kept Xpress in the game at times and ahead at others. Now, he will step up and play some elite level competition in this tournament. Manning is a Bossier City (Louisiana) kid so playing top competition is nothing new to him. He defended some of the best players in Louisiana all high school season long. Manning will not be afraid to play against nationally ranked competition. If he scores like he did in Jackson, Manning may see his stock skyrocket.
Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA | 6’2″ | LivOn Fleur-de-lis (2022) – McCraney had his best point guard skills going at the Pelican State Hoopfest in Jackson. He displayed the ability to breakdown defenders on several occasions and get into the paint. Once there, he had easy dropoffs for layups. This weekend will be different. McCraney is playing with some elite level guys who have been playing well without him. His play-making and shot-making ability will need to be at a premium playing against some of the best from Texas and Oklahoma. His ability to handle and create separation, along with his defense, will be the keys for his weekend play.
The younger teams play in most of the morning slots whereas the older teams start play after noon. The Circuit League II will be an all day Saturday-Sunday event with two games per day for each team.