First Live Period Superlatives
There was no shortage of basketball games to observe in Indiana during the first live period. Here we recap the action by awarding some superlatives. Best Athlete | Jordan Stiemke | 17u Mid Atlantic Select UA Rise Stiemke reinforced his…
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Continue ReadingThere was no shortage of basketball games to observe in Indiana during the first live period. Here we recap the action by awarding some superlatives.
Best Athlete | Jordan Stiemke | 17u Mid Atlantic Select UA Rise
Stiemke reinforced his credentials as a top-tier athlete over the weekend with MAS. He is an explosive two-footed leaper who helped his team control the glass and protect the paint.
Best Long-Term Prospect | Derik Queen | 17u Team Thrill UAA
Queen makes the game look very easy. He double-doubled in a win over Grassroots Sizzle while posing matchup problems in part because of his unique combination of size and skill.
Best Perimeter Defender | Malachi Palmer | 17u Team Thrill UAA
Palmer recorded 7 steals and 3 deflections in Thrill’s win over Grassroots Sizzle. He knows how to use his length to be very disruptive both on and off the ball.
Best Playmaker | Xavier Brown Xavier Brown 6'2" | PG Jamestown | 2022 State VA | 17u Team Loaded VA 3SSB
Brown made winning plays on both ends of the floor for Loaded in their hard-fought win over Wildcat Select. He recorded 3 steals, 2 deflections, 1 block, and took a crucial charge while posting a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Best Rebounder | Jadyn Harris Jadyn Harris 6'6" | PF Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #239 Nation VA | 16u Team Thrill UAA
Harris recorded a game-high 11 rebounds in Thrill’s win over ESF Threat to kick off the live period. He is also a grab-and-go threat whenever securing a defensive rebound.
Best Rim Protector | Luke Bamgboye Luke Bamgboye 6'10" | C AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State #110 Nation AZ | 16u Team Thrill UAA
Bamgboye recorded 5 blocks vs. ESF Threat on Friday night. He altered many other shots which is something that won’t show up on the stat sheet, but certainly made a significant impact on that game.
Best Shooter | Davin Cosby Jr Davin Cosby Jr 6'5" | CG Word of God | 2023 #111 Nation NC . | 17u Team Loaded VA 3SSB
Cosby connected on 5 of 6 attempts from behind the arc for Loaded VA against Wildcat Select. He is just as dangerous while spotting up as he is off the dribble or on the move.
Best Single-Game Performance | Austin Abrams Austin Abrams 6'3" | SG Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State MD | 17u Mid Atlantic Select UA Rise
Abrams posted 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists for MAS in their win over TRD on Saturday. He shot 7 of 11 from the field, 2 of 3 from 3-point land, and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. This was a terrific all-around performance by Abrams, who was assertive throughout and played multiple positions.
Best Team Performance | 17u Virginia Playmakers UA Rise
Everyone played and made an impact for VA Playmakers during their comprehensive win over TNBA on Saturday. They recorded twice as many assists as turnovers, and their energy level was high throughout that contest. Shout out to Maddux Tennant Maddux Tennant 6'4" | SG Battlefield | 2023 State VA and Hasan Hammad Hasan Hammad 6'2" | PG Battlefield | 2023 State VA of Battlefield, who came in off the bench and combined to record 11 assists to just 1 turnover.