Games to Watch: Dallas Live Period
DALLAS — The spring evaluation period kicks off this weekend, which means the beginning of the NY2LA Association, Under Armour Association, and Nike EYBL. Here are the top scheduled games to watch from the Wisconsin AAU teams this weekend…
17U Games to Watch
Ray Allen Select vs. Quad City Elite (NY2LA Association)
On Saturday, Ray Allen Select out of the South Division takes on South Division favorite Quad City Elite. These two teams have had some big battles in the NY2LA Association the last two years. Cole Nau (Brookfield Central) will go head-to-head against top 50 point guard D.J. Carton — a player he’s had success against in the past. RAS also features Will Mahoney (Appleton West), David Skogman (Waukesha West), Marcus Domask (Waupun), and Preston Maccoux (Exeter Prep), who have all been impressive this spring.
Wisconsin Playground Warriors vs. Atlanta Xpress (UA Association)
How fast can PGC come together? After one tournament together, the Playground Warriors get a big opening night test against Atlanta XPress, historically one of the stronger clubs in the UA Association. This one will feature a good guard matchup between Larry Canady (Racine Park) and Chase Hunter.
Wisconsin Swing vs. Illinois Irish (NY2LA Association)
A notable East Division battle will take place Sunday afternoon. The Swing and Irish have been two of the more consistent teams in the NY2LA Association since its inauguration. Jake Poetzl (Marinette), Malcolm Reed (Barneveld), Cameron Paske (Lakeside Lutheran), and company will take on Karl Wright, one of the top prospects in Illinois.
Wisconsin Shooters vs. M2K Elite (NY2LA Association)
Two Northeast Division foes will square off on Sunday. Wisconsin Shooters’ Ace Evans (Martin Luther) and Ryan Waddell (Homestead) figure to be one of the top backcourts in the NY2LA Association this season. The Shooters will try and slow down Thomas Henderson, Eddie Colbert, and an athletic M2K Elite squad.
16U Games to Watch
Wisconsin Blizzard vs. Kessel Heat (NY2LA Association)
A crossover matchup between the Blizzard (South) and Kessel Heat (North) goes down Friday night. Jake Buchanan (Kimberly) could be poised for a breakout spring. He’ll get a good test against Matthew Ambrose and some quality sleepers from Illinois.
Phenom University vs. Mac Irvin Fire (Nike Dallas Live)
Arguably the top travel program in the Midwest takes on the upstart program with a loaded lineup in Phenom University on Saturday. The Fire have three of the top 25 players in the state of Illinois. However, Phenom University not only possesses one of the top talents in the country, Jalen Johnson (Sun Prairie), but six of the top 15 prospects in the Badger State. They’ll also add touted 2021 prospects Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Sussex Hamilton) and Arizona State commit Michael Foster (Milwaukee Washington) to the fold this weekend.
Playground Warriors vs. West Coast Elite (Under Armour Association)
This is a loaded opening night matchup in Session 1. Johnny Davis, Gabe Madsen, Terrance Thompson, Jordan Davis, and Mason Madsen begin their UA title defense against a West Coast Elite squad that features some of the top players in the state of California. Lamont Butler, Dillon DePina, Jadon Jones, and company should give PGC a big test Friday night.
15U Games to Watch
Wisconsin Swing vs. REACH Legends (NY2LA Association)
Will be interesting to see how Grant Flory (Neenah) and Brayden Dailey (Mineral Point) handle a fast, athletic REACH Legends squad. The two freshman are among the top prospects in a strong 2021 class in the Badger State. Both skilled, versatile players, look for Dailey and Flory to lead the Swing to a good run in Dallas this weekend.
Phenom University vs. Mac Irvin Fire (Nike Dallas Live)
On Saturday, Phenom University will take on one of the top programs in the EYBL. Coming off a championship in the NY2LA Swish N’ Dish, Phenom got strong efforts from Kobe Johnson (Sun Prairie), Tanner Resch (Sussex Hamilton), David Joplin (Brookfield Central), Ben Nau (Brookfield Central), Cater Capstran (Franklin), and others in their debuts. They’ve also added Gavin McGrath (Onalaska) to the fold as well, giving them another piece up front.
Wisconsin Playmakers vs. Martin Brothers
The Playmakers have some interesting pieces that could make them one of the top 15U squads in the NY2LA Association this year. Zac Johnson (River Falls), J.T. D0ugherty (River Falls), Liam D0ugherty (River Falls), Sam Kick (Onalaska) and others figure to be ranked in the Badger State when the time comes.