The Finale: Sunday Observations
It was an entertaining weekend of basketball at The Finale in Kansas City. Here are some of my observations from Sunday’s final day of competition of action from the HyVee Arena. Carroll GoL1ve takes the 17U title Carroll GoL1ve looked…
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Continue ReadingIt was an entertaining weekend of basketball at The Finale in Kansas City. Here are some of my observations from Sunday’s final day of competition of action from the HyVee Arena.
Carroll GoL1ve takes the 17U title
Carroll GoL1ve looked very impressive all weekend in winning the Passion Bracket 17U championship. They defeated MoKan Select 2021 in the championship game. The MVP of the day was 6’3″ 2021 guard Cachao Gianquinto Cachao Gianquinto 6'3" | SG Battle | 2021 State MO of Battle. Gianquinto scored a game-high 24 points in the finals and 18 in the semifinals game. He is a fundamentally sound guard who had no holes in his game. He shot the ball from distance, attacked the basket and made some pinpoint passes while playing excellent defense. The frontcourt pair of 6’6″ 2021 Jalen Hampton Jalen Hampton 6'7" | PF Link Year | 2022 MO (University City) and 6’7″ 2021 O’mar Stanley (Link Year) was a formidable duo throughout the weekend. Both are athletic players with high motors. Together, they were tough to keep off the offensive boards. All three are Division I talents with Stanley already with an offers from Ole Miss and SEMO on the board. A young man from Kansas who gave them a lift was 6’5″ 2021 forward Tanner Hecht, who hit some big 3-pointers down the stretch in the championship game.
Team KC take the 16U championship
Team KC-Derrick capped off an excellent weekend by defeating Arkansas Athletics Outreach xx for the championship. Team KC had an impressive group of athletes that played hard and excelled on the defensive end. Their guard play was good and they had productive inside players. Their most productive inside player was 6’6″ 2022 forward Kortez Stevenson Kortez Stevenson 6'7" | PF Center | 2022 State MO (Center), a 250-pound lefty power forward who plays like former NBA standout Zach Randolph. He has excellent footwork in the post and a soft touch with great use of the glass. If that wasn’t enough, he also a feathery touch from 3-point range. Complimenting Stevenson inside is 6’7″ 2022 Sam Somerhalder (St. James Academy) who is athletic and very active in the post. He also scored on several tough takes off the dribble. Dallas Whitley, a 6’6″ 2022 from Blue Springs South, is a finesse player who can handle the ball and shoot the 3-pointer off the pick and pop.
I was very impressed with the play of 6’2″ 2022 point guard I’Ryan Allen (Raymore-Peculiar). He is long and athletic and he utilized those attributes to be very disruptive on the defensive end. He moved his feet well and could pick your pocket. He also touched the paint on a consistent basis with his dribble penetration and he got good elevation on his pull up jumper. John Elful John Elful 6'2" | PG North Kansas City | 2022 State MO is a 6’4″ athletic wing from North Kansas City who plays above the rim and with a high motor. He threw down some impressive dunks during the weekend. Mike Harrison (Blue Springs), Jalen Peeler (Center) and A’justin Pearson A’justin Pearson 6'0" | PG Lincoln Prep | 2022 State MO (Lincoln Prep) all had their moments during the weekend at both ends of the floor.
Who else caught our eye in Kansas City
*Mission Minded captured the 17U championship in the Hustle Bracket. The team is made up of players from Class 2 powerhouse team Greenwood Lab out of Springfield. The headline player is 6’5″ five-star recruit Animu Mohammed, who showed why he is the No. 1 player in the Missouri Class of 2021. However, Animu has plenty of help. Class of 2022 guard Tommy Pinegar Tommy Pinegar 5'10" | SG Greenwood Lab | 2022 State MO showcase his consistent 3-point stroke to the tune of 41 percent for the weekend. He has a quick release, deep shooting range and plenty of confidence. It was also my first look at 6’8″ 2021 forward Victory Naboya in action. He was very active around the basket as he averaged close to a double-double for the weekend. He is a young prospect with plenty of upside. Kaden Stuckey is a rising 6’6″ 2023 southpaw forward who is very active on the boards, but can also step out and knock down 15 to 17 foot jumpers.
*Mentality by Michael Watson played its 15U team up in the 16U division and came away with the championship of the Hustle Bracket. They featured 6’4″ 2022 forward Larry Parker III, a talented slashing threat from Staley. He was a force around the basket who attacked the basket and finished well. I also like his mid range jumper. Dawson Williams (Rockhurst) is a smooth 6’1 wing with nice slashing moves to the basket and 3-point range. The duo of twin brothers Devin and Darin Conley were also impressive. Devin Conley is a 6’1″ guard who can shoot the lights out from 3-point range while Darin is a 6’3″ forward who runs, jumps and attacks the boards with great zeal.
Kyan Evans 5’9″ MoKan Select 2023: A talented point guard from Staley who led his team to the 15U championship in the Hard Work Division. He has smooth handles and an excellent stroke from 3-point range. He scored a team-high 19 points in the championship game. As a freshman, he was a key player on Staley’s run to the Class 5 state Final Four in March.
Isaiah Williams Isaiah Williams 6'2" | SG Lutheran North | 2021 State MO 6’2″ Gateway-Knights 17U: The smooth lefty 2021 guard from Lutheran North broke out with a nice 23-point performance in his team’s final game. When he is on his game, he has the ability to get you a bucket at all three levels. He is a smooth slasher who can score at difficult angles.
Seth Larson 6’5″ Sting: A very skilled 2021 wing who is an impressive bucket-getter, but he displayed his skilled as a multi-tasker who does everything. He would routinely helped bring the ball up against pressure, then go inside and get a nice bucket in the low post. He is creative with his handles to where he can get to his desired spots and get a shot when he wants it. His passing skills are also very solid.
Hasani Spann Hasani Spann 5'11" | CG MICDS | 2021 State MO 6’2″ St. Louis Blazers: The 2021 guard from MICDS displayed his normal 3-point shooting prowess, but his overall floor game was very solid as well. He put in a strong effort on the defensive end and he captured his share of rebounds as well. He also dropped a few impressive dimes. He has worked hard on his overall game.
Drenin Dinkins Drenin Dinkins 6'0" | PG South Iron | 2022 State MO 6’0″ Gateway Basketball Club 16U: The talented 2022 guard from South Iron averaged close to 20 points in both of his games on Sunday. He is a scoring point guard who lights it up from 3-range with his high-arching jumper. He was fearless when he attacks the basket on the dribble. He also displayed some nice playmaking skills as he dropped off some nice dimes.
Sterling Desha 6’4″ JC Jays 17U: An under the radar 2021 wing who is one of the most talented players in Mid-Missouri. He has good size and offensive ability, which includes excellent 3-point shooting range. He handles the ball well and he’s very fluid in his movements on the court.
Nathan Ryan 6’3″ Mo Thunder 15U: A very solid young 2023 forward from Troy who had a very productive weekend. He has a very good low post game with good fundamentals and the ability to finish off the glass with layups and short jumpers. He could also step out and knock down 15 footers off the catch and put the ball on the floor.