West Coast Clash Recap: High Motor Guys
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Spring is here and that can only mean one thing. It’s Circuit Season! The Prephoops Circuit is upon us. I will be covering and providing exposure for the Hustle Region Circuit. The Hustle Region Circuit consists of AAU Programs from…
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Continue ReadingSpring is here and that can only mean one thing. It’s Circuit Season! The Prephoops Circuit is upon us. I will be covering and providing exposure for the Hustle Region Circuit. The Hustle Region Circuit consists of AAU Programs from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico. The circuit features 10 stops including the Hustle Region Final in Irvine July 15th – 17th. Stop 6 brings us to the Pacific Northwest and Centralia, Washington where 46 teams will compete all under one roof at the NW Sports Hub. The event featured several players who just wouldn’t quit. In this article, we take a look at the top high motor guys from the event.
Bryce Morgan 6’0 SG Roots Academy 2025 – Morgan flashed several skills this weekend, however, his best was probably his motor. The guard was a terrific two-way player that was all over the floor. On one possession you would find him grabbing an in traffic rebound, on the next he’s blocking a shot. His versatility combined with his energy and effort made him one of the more valuable high motor guys on the weekend.
Grant Kepley Grant Kepley 6'4" | CG North Creek | 2023 State WA 6’4 SG Emerald City Basketball Academy 2023 (#43PHWA 2023) – Kepley has several skills, however one play in particular lands him on his list. In a game that his team was winning handily, Kepley sprinted after a loose ball that seemed destined to go out of bounds. He retrieved the ball just as it was about to hit the sideline. In one motion he grabbed it and then threw the ball behind his back toward the rim. The pass landed in the waiting arms of Jordan Clark Jordan Clark 6'1" | PG Seattle Christian | 2023 State WA who caught it with one hand, laying the ball in. That one play demonstrated his skill, heart, and most importantly his overall effort.
Atticus Boba 6’2 SG Global Basketball Club 2024 – Loved what Boba brought to his club this weekend. He didn’t score much, but he competed his tail off. The scrappy 6’2 guard was one of the best-undersized rebounders I saw, securing several extra possessions for his team.
Austin Owen 6’3 SF Farm Roots Hoops 2025 – I doubt anyone can watch Owen, without recognizing his motor. The forward was all over the floor, hustling for his team. His competitive spirit is what stood out to me, as Owen challenged opponents for everything, including loose balls and rebounds. A sleeper prospect, Owen has a few other skills to go along with his physical traits, however, it’s his motor that makes him an intriguing prospect to watch.
Michael Lorton Watkins 5’10 SG 2023 (featured image) – MLW may be the best R&J athlete I’ve seen on the circuit. He first caught my eye with his ability to sky over larger defenders for rebounds. He then dropped everyone’s jaw with a ridiculous block, pinning an opponent’s shot above the square. The bouncy guard played with a relentless motor all weekend, earning him a much-deserved spot on my high motor squad.
Wesley Bjornsgard 6’5 PF BDH 2023 – I liked Bjornsgard because everytime I peaked over, he was always in the middle of something. He rebounded at a high level, battling and winning several 50/50. He also did a good job of sprinting back and just being in the play, providing another body for opponents to score over.
Zach Swanson Zach Swanson 6'2" | SG Toutle Lake | 2024 State WA 6’1 SG NHC 2024 – Swanson was one of the more intimidating players at the event. He’s one of those guys that plays so hard, that it irritates opponents. He had a ton of hustle plays and managed to finish top buckets in traffic around the rim. He also had a monster block chasing down and swatting an easy layup away. The 2024 shooting guard competed at a high level, earning a spot on the list.