Weekend Preview: Under Armour Memorial Day Classic
This weekend, MidAmerica Sports Academy in Louisville hosts the Under Armour Memorial Day Classic. The winning team in each age group earns a bid to the Under Armour Challenge in Emerson, Georgia in July. Here’s a quick look at some of the top teams and players who will be in action this weekend.
15u:
The host Louisville Legends should get a tough challenge from Western Kentucky Elite in pool play.
Manimal Elite 2021 are the likely favorites to win it all this weekend. Led by KJ Crump and Isaiah Mason, there aren’t many 15u teams in the area who can compete with Manimal.
Both Charlotte Court teams are favorites to win their pools. The team coached by new Bryan Station head coach Nimbo Hammons could be a dark horse to win the championship.
G3 15u is really good and their two best players are Kentucky players. Darrius Washington and Jaden Rogers of Fern Creek will lead G3 towards what will likely be a semifinal game against Manimal Elite. Washington and Rogers will be the Under Armour Training Academy in Tampa through Sunday but should arrive on Monday in time for championship bracket play.
16u:
The Louisville Legends have a strong 16u team led by South Oldham’s Luke Morrison and will face a solid challenge from Trey Minter and Vision Elite 2020 in pool play.
Grassroots Indiana is typically a strong program and will likely have their hands full with Lexington based Charlotte Court.
M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs 16u comes in with the momentum of a good showing at Bob Gibbons last weekend and Dayvion McKnight picking up his first offer.
The Tennessee Tigers have a very good 16u capable of beating anyone as shown by their giving the Atlanta Celtics a scare last weekend at Gibbons.
17u:
NKY Squad has a good team that will likely be boosted by the return of 6’10” Dieonte Miles of Walton-Verona.
NKY Force has a well rounded team with several small college prospects like Dalton Bruner of West Jessamine.
Manimal Elite 2019 will likely be among the favorites to win the 17u trophy on Monday. Central Hardin’s Jacob Hobbs is an impact player for Manimal.
There are several out of state programs like Tennessee Edge, WV Miners and Illinois D1 express who have a chance to surprise some folks and win the tournament and the automatic bid to the Under Armour Classic.
Follow @PrepHoopsKY for scores and news all weekend long from the UA Classic!