West Coast Clash: 17U 3rd Team Breakdown
This third team all-tournament could also be my all-breakout team. Each one of these players was vital to their team’s success at the West Coast Clash. A lot of these guys have been flying under the radar or buzzing around…
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Continue ReadingThis third team all-tournament could also be my all-breakout team. Each one of these players was vital to their team’s success at the West Coast Clash. A lot of these guys have been flying under the radar or buzzing around the fringes, but their game spoke volumes this weekend and they deserve every bit of recognition coming their way. Here is the third team all-tournament.
Wesley Bjornsgard (2023) SF 6’5 Capital/WA | BDH Elite 2-2
He is a solid all-around contributor who stands out for his ability to hit the corner three and make strong plays inside. He can handle a bit, hit outside shots, and works defensively. While he is primarily a perimeter player, Bjornsgard’s athleticism and strength help him play bigger than his listed height. He’s a good rebounder crashing in from the wings, and he’s able to power through contact at the rim to draw fouls and cash in from the line.
Ray Adams (2024) PF 6’6 North Thurston/WA | Team Anderson 4-0
Adams is a long and wiry forward who has a smoothness with the ball not many players with his spindliness possess. He’s confident operating out of the short corner, finding cutters, working with his back to the basket, or facing up. He has good vision of the floor and moves fluidly driving toward the basket. Adams has a lot of characteristics that give him the makeup of a real talent and he still has so much room left to grow.
Jaxson Filler Jaxson Filler 6'7" | PF Skyview | 2024 State WA (2024) PF 6’6 Skyview/WA | DENY Basketball 4-0
From the jump, Filler stood out based on his physical presence alone. He’s not the tallest out there but he has good size at 6’6 and he’s one of the more filled-out players on the floor. He’s real good at keeping that base wide, two strong hands on the ball, and picking the right times to attack. Attacking inside, he takes care of the ball and is able to create space for shots by simply staying steady and strong. He uses his big shoulders to create distance between his shot and defenders, and attacks from the right angles to keep the separation.
Max Holliman (2023) SG 6’5 West Seattle/WA | ECBA 3-1
Holliman is another physical player whose size and quickness make him a defensive swiss army knife. He can match up with guards or forwards, is strong, has good feet, and works well side to side. He’s also capable of running the break, hitting down open threes, and making smart plays within the offense. His versatility on defense and his overall work rate were game-changers all weekend.
Andrew Dearman (2023) SF 6’2 Hanford/WA | Farm Roots Hoops 2-2
Not many players had the burden to create offensively and take on the defensive mismatches that Dearman faced in Centralia. There wasn’t much opportunity for rest for the 6’2 wing. More often than not, the ball found his hands and he went to work attacking the hoop, taking on multiple defenders. On defense, he matched up with opposing bigs, banging in the post and sacrificing his body to get in the way of easy buckets.
Elijah Cain Elijah Cain 6'2" | SG Kentridge | 2023 State WA (#55PHWA 2023) SG 6’2 Graham-Kapowsin/WA | BDH Elite 2-2
Cain was one of the better one-on-one creators of the weekend. He’s got the wiggle to get his man going one way and attack the other, then evade swarming hands at the rim. In space on the break, he’s too shifty to stay in front of and also knows the right time to give it up. He’s a threat from three with a nice step-back and a ready-shoot mentality.
Denis Anishchenko (2023) SF 6’7 Cedar Park Christian/WA | Global Basketball Club 2-2
This is a player who never seemed rushed out there. He’s got the size, strength, and finesse to attack with confidence and control. He’s a threat from three-point, mid-range, and in the paint, using a soft touch to find bottom. Anishchenko is also a big player on the boards and uses that size defensively to alter shots and plug the paint.