Big Shots / Team Final Tournament Preview
[player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] (C/O 2023) of [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL. This weekend a significant number of the top grassroots teams from southeastern Pennsylvania will travel to Oaks, Pennsylvania to participate in the Big Shots / Team Final tournament.…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend a significant number of the top grassroots teams from southeastern Pennsylvania will travel to Oaks, Pennsylvania to participate in the Big Shots / Team Final tournament. One of the better spring grassroots events in the Philly area, the Big Shots / Team Final boasts an extremely competitive field of regional teams.
Below is a glance at the SEPA grassroots squads participating in this event as well the how the bracket could play out for each of the teams.
17U (2022):
Team Final EYBL 2023: A deep and talented roster led by Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA , a 6’7” wing player who was a 1st Team 5A All-State selection and elite lead guard Rahmir Barno Rahmir Barno 5'10" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #223 Nation PA (3rd Team 5A All-State) will be “playing up” this weekend in the 17U division. In the opening round, Team Final takes on Pro Youth Basketball (PA). Once they advance to the 2nd round, they get either Chris Ward Basketball (NY) or Philly Revolution.
Philly Revolution: Speaking of Philly Revolution…In the 1st round, they will take on Chris Ward Basketball (NY). If elite shooter Ernest Shelton (2023 prospect), LaSalle CHS guard Chris Williams, three & D prospect Jalen Flowers and 6’7” forward Allen Myers can secure a victory in that opening contest, the reward will be a match-up with Team Final EYBL 2023.
Philly Heat: With Bernie Parent running point, Luc Baratta scoring the ball and 6’7” forward Michael Farley Michael Farley 6'7" | PF Central Bucks South | 2022 State PA controlling the paint, look for the Philly Heat to make a nice run at the Big Shots / Team Final tourney. The Heat will face Made Different Elite in Round 1. Their 2nd Round game will be against either Reach1 Teach1-Red (PA) or SK Elite (NY).
16U (2023):
Team Final EYBL 2024: The No. 1 team in our SEPA 15U rankings is white hot (13-2 in their last 15 games) and thus they will “play up” at this event. For openers, Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL , Jaden Murray Jaden Murray 6'7" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA , Amir Williams Amir Williams 6'6" | SF Neuman-Goretti | 2024 State PA and company will take on DBA Elite-Burch (CT). After the opening round, they face whichever team survives the Jaguars Basketball (PA) against Pink’s Vision contest. Even “playing up” an age division, we expect this group to make a deep run this weekend.
SJ Hoops Elite-Grey: After a solid showing at the Southern Jam Fest (VA), this squad featuring suburban Philadelphia prospects took Memorial Day weekend off. Now high level SEPA prospects like wing Lucas Orchard Lucas Orchard 6'4" | SF Devon Prep | 2023 State PA , shooting guard Jackson Hicke Jackson Hicke 6'5" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA , forward Jacen Holloway Jacen Holloway 6'4" | SF Devon Prep | 2023 State PA and combo guard Max Koehler Max Koehler 6'2" | SG ChesCo Storm | 2023 State PA will lead this roster into the Big Shots / Team Final event. In the 1st Round they play Total Skills (PA). If they win, then SJHEG would advance to play the winner of the Next Play Basketball (PA) vs. Philly Revolution game.
Philly Revolution: Lefty slasher style guard Michael “Zaire” Paris Michael “Zaire” Paris 5'11" | CG Archbishop Ryan | 2023 State PA and Baasil Saunders Baasil Saunders 6'4" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA , an athletic wing who plays above the rim, will look to push the Revolution past Next Play Basketball (PA) in their opening round game. They would then get the winner of SJ Hoops Elite-Grey (PA) vs. Total Skills (PA).
15U (2024):
Philly Pride Select: The Abington Friends dynamic duo of elite combo guard Kaydin Ford Kaydin Ford 5'10" | PG Abington Friends | 2024 State PA and interior force Nate Osbourne highlight a stacked roster that also features extraordinary perimeter shooter Gyasi Miller (Shipley School) and floor general Brendan Styer (Conestoga). During Saturday’s 1st round action Philly Pride Select will face a very talented opponent in Strong Mature Minds (NJ). If they win that one, then Team Final Black (NJ) or LBA Attack Sigma (VA) awaits.
Philly Revolution: Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA (17.5 ppg. at the Big Shots / Philly Pride tourney), Josh Reed and Joe Shields Joe Shields 6'0" | CG LaSalle CHS | 2024 State PA have pushed the Revolution up to the No. 5 spot in our 15U rankings. They will look to keep things rolling this weekend in their opener vs Cecil Kirk Team Puma (MD). Win that one and it’s on to a 2nd Round contest with either Philly Pride 302 Elite (DE) or WeR1 UAA (DE).
PA Royals: A couple weeks back this roster won the 15U division of the 76ers Junior Challenge (DE). Now elite combo guard Kirby Mooney Kirby Mooney 6'1" | SG William Tennent | 2024 State PA as well as high level shot make Bowen Gugger and their teammates will lace ‘em up for the Big Shots / Team Final event. The Royals will tip off with Role Model (DE) and then potentially have a 2nd round match-up with either Pro Youth Basketball (PA) or ESF-Wilson (PA).
WeR1 UAA: Technically WeR1 is a grassroots program based out of Delaware, but since this roster is chockfull of prospects from Pennsylvania high schools, we are going to include them in this event preview. Headlining this roster is Elijah Duval, a prospect we have previously described as “Russell Westbrook with a jump shot”. Duval’s aggressive and explosive style of play will be tested against Philly Pride 302 Elite (DE) in the opening round. Round 2 could potentially bring a game against Cecil Kirk Team Puma (MD) or local foes Philly Revolution.