#PHThePlatform Day 1 GameChangers
This content series is sponsored by GameChanger – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Hoops.
The #PHThePlatform invaded the Music City on the 4th of July weekend and, in its own way, made some noise and provided some fireworks. You had teams come together to start July, an exciting time in grassroots basketball, to get a few games under their belt. I usually drop day one top performers, but you can go to @PHCircuit on Twitter and see who the top performers were. My first article from this event will spotlight players whose play was a major game-changer. So let’s take a look at a few #GameChangers…
Team: NYBA 2023
Instagram: regalee_
Twitter: @Rayyyyy42
Regale is a combo guard that did most of his damage off-ball. He came into the game looking for his shot and stayed in that mindset throughout. He is a smooth operator in the open court as he flies up and down the court, looking for gaps to get downhill. He has a quick first step, changes directions very well, and is extremely tough to contain in iso situations. He is a guy who can get his own offense and create plays for others. He has the length to be a more impactful defender if he puts forth the same caliber effort as he does on the offensive end of the floor. In the match-up against H.G. Tigers, Regale finished with 13pts in a 61-36 win.
What made him a Gamechanger:
Regale came off the bench and immediately provided scoring for NYBA. They already had things going early against H.G. Tigers, but his scoring prowess just broke their will early in the contest.
Nicholas Cunningham (6’2/PG/2023)
Team: Sky Ice Elite 2023
Instagram: 1cha.se2
Twitter: @ccunningham2023
Nicholas is not the primary scoring option for his squad, but he is definitely capable of being that option if it ever came down to it. His ability to score was second to none the entire day. His glasses almost coming off during a fastbreak was the only thing that seemed to be able to slow him down in the match-up against Premium Ballerz Youth Organization. His play on day 1 solidified him as one of the premier talented guards at #PHThePlatform. While he showed that he could knock down a trey, his damage was done with a very efficient middle game. He kept defenders guessing whether it was with his hesi move, spin move, or explosiveness to the rack when lanes opened. PBYO literally kept switching defenders on him, hoping someone could slow him down but to no avail. He was one of the best finishers at the rim, whether in transition or in the half-court. He plays both ends of the floor and put all on notice that he is looking to have an excellent July. He finished with 24pts in the 73-65 win over PBYO.
What made him a Gamechanger:
As mentioned, he is not the primary scoring option for Sky Ice but having a second or third option as Nicholas is, with the scoring production that he brings to the game, is difficult to defend when having too often put your better defenders on the first two scoring options.
Team: UWIN Serventz
Instagram: Lathanmiles23
Twitter: @Miles_lathan
Lathan showed what he does well, and that is stroke the rock. He was one of the better shooters that I saw on day one. He had a slow start on the offensive end of the floor during the first half, but he lit it up during the second half of play. He was very productive with his c&s opportunities, and North Alabama had to make quick adjustments when his shots started falling. The stat sheet was incomplete as the parent keeping the books kept the game stats in their own personal book and not on the sheet provided at the table, but he had to make at least 3 huge threes in the second half.
What made him a Gamechanger:
The shooting of Lathan helped UWIN get back in the game and gave his squad a chance. Without his outstanding second-half performance from behind the arc, this game would have been called at the 2-min mark.
Team: North Alabama Elite
Instagram: Colton_l12
Twitter: @LindseyColton12
Colton is probably the best rebounding post player I have seen on the Prep Hoops Circuit this year. If I had a glass-cleaner award, this is who it would go to, hands down. Even though rebounds are not statistically tracked, it would be safe to say that he finished with over or very close to 20-rebounds. He plays with a lot of grit and is a force to deal with in the paint. As I watched him play, it kept going through my mind that he is the type of player you love to have on your time and absolutely hate having to play against. He establishes excellent rebounding position, has some clever yet sneaky techniques to neutralize opponents rebounding chances, and is simply dominant in this area of the game. He is a good screener, and he rolls hard, sealing his defender just about every time he is in p&r action. When he does get the ball on the low block, he makes strong moves to the basket, often leading to a bucket or a trip to the line. I only wish that rebounds were being tracked this game.
What made him a Gamechanger:
Whenever you have a player as dominant on the glass as Colton, he limits the offense to one-and-done possessions, which he did in the match-up against UWIN Serventz. He kept UWIN’s post off the glass, which was one of the most significant reasons his team won.
Anthony Westervelt (6’3/CG/2023)
Team: Hardwood Elite
Instagram: anthony.westervelt
Twitter: @ajwestervelt15
The way Anthony produced in the match-up against T-Town Kings would have left you with one question: ’ why isn’t this kid starting?’ I used to have a coach say that it doesn’t matter who starts but who the coach trust to finish the games. With that being said, I do not even have to say whether or not Anthony was on the court in the final minutes, but if you need an answer, you bet he was out there. He was a spark off the bench for Hardwood that helped them get back in the contest in the first half after falling behind double-digits. He brought a lot of energy to both ends of the floor, and his energy and play actually lifted his teammates. While things were stagnant offensively for his squad, he came in and put his head down and was in one mindset, which was attack. He put pressure on T-Town’s defense, which does not have a dominant rim protector in the paint, and started getting easy buckets at the rim, getting to the line, and creating opportunities for his teammates. He manufactured scoring opportunities as he was active on the offensive glass, and along with a quick second jump, he was able to secure the board and get easy put-backs. In the 75-80 loss to T-Town Kings, Anthony finished with 17pts.
What made him a Gamechanger:
Hardwood Elite would not have been in this game if it had not been for Anthony’s play and production off the bench. He was the catalyst to helping Hardwood get back in the game and have a chance to win it in the end.
Team: EAB ’23
Instagram: Jaylonbrown11
Twitter: @Jaybrown235
With everything being done out of the spread on the gridiron, I rarely see teams lining up with the full-back in the backfield and playing smash-mouth football. Why did I make a reference to a full-back in football? Well, when I look at Jaylon, that is what he reminds me of as he is stout with a solid frame. He is a physical guard that has no problems with playing thru contact. He often punished defenders on his attacks to the basket, as many would have viewed his attacks as nothing but the highest form of bullying his opponents to the cup. EAB has a workhorse in J.B. as he played heavy minutes, impacted both ends of the floor even though he could have given more consistent effort on D, and provided scoring primarily off the bounce. He quietly went about his business, but his game spoke extremely loud. He is listed as a 6’3 swingman which causes concerns, but he has the ability to be a fit somewhere at the next level. In the 68-57 win over KSR Elite, he finished with 14pts.
What made him a Gamechanger:
His steadiness, consistency, and quiet production were vital in holding off a very talented KSR squad, who had just battled NYBA earlier in a close match-up. Every time KSR tried to make a run, J.B. had an answer.
Marqries Davonte Hill (6’0/CG/2023)
Team: KSR Elite ’23
Instagram: Roxkstarr.qu3
Twitter: @RoxkstarQue
Marqries came off the bench and gave KSR scoring when the starting five was having trouble seeing the ball go through the nets. He put up haughty numbers, provided another scoring option in the first half, and had critical buckets during the second half. He is tough off the bounce as he has good burst and a quick first step. He is really crafty with the ball in his hands, has no problems getting past his man, and can score from mid-range or deep in the lane. He is an extremely athletic guard as he probably made the shot of the year in the Prep Hoops Circuit, which you can check out BallerTV. In the 57-68 loss to EAB, Marqries finished with 11pts.
What made him a Gamechanger:
With several key players struggling from the field and one starter going down early in the contest, Marqries provided a needed source of scoring for his team. He made vital buckets at crucial moments, keeping his squad in pace with EAB and giving them a chance in the second half.