Next Level Invitational: Friday Game Recaps
2:00 — 17U: Minnesota Comets Elite 72 vs All Iowa Attack 49
This Attack squad is talented, but it ran into a buzz-saw of a Minnesota squad this afternoon. It was a 20 point game in the first half, and only an Evan Gauger last second bucket cut the deficit to sub 20 before the break. But Attack didn’t let up, and they came out aggressive in the second half, slicing the deficit to 10, but briefly. The Comets would stop the bleeding and cruise after that. Brandon Aldeman was the best player on the floor for the talented Minnesota squad; he’s a smooth and skilled lead guard who makes plays in a multitude of ways. Isaac Fink was also a standout for the Comets. They could make a nice run this weekend in the 17U field.
3:00 — 17U: Martin Bros 66 vs Wisconsin Playmakers-Stege 38
This was not a bad Playmakers squad, but they ran up against a well-oiled machine today. And when Cole Henry is playing like he was in this game, blowouts are likely. The 6’9 Oskaloosa forward was dominant, and was was getting it done in a variety of ways. He was dunking, controlling glass, making some dazzling passes and even playing some point guard. He looked like a mid-major D1 talent, and schools in the Missouri Valley might want to take a serious look. Derek Krogmann led the way for MB while putting in a tough 18 points, Henry added 17.
4:00 — 17U: Yanders Law 60 vs SW Minnesota Stars 55
This game was lit, and I don’t use that term loosely. It was played in a small side gym, and that made for a electric atmosphere in this highly competitive game. The Yanders guys were from Southern Missouri and Arkansas and they were an athletic bunch. It was point guard Payton Guiot (AK) who was the very best of them. The kid canned eight 3s, and had 18 points at halftime of this one. He’s got a little Trae Young in him, he’s not shy to pull from anywhere, and when he lets it go, it’s always got a chance. The game was tight throughout, it was a one point Minnesota lead at the break. But the skill and athleticism were too much for the gritty and resilient Minnesota squad down the stretch.
5:00 — 17U: Kingdom Hoops Elite 66 vs WOTN 55
What an entertaining game this was. Kingdom Hoops started it off with a 9-0 run, but you just knew that wasn’t sustainable against this Minnesota squad; it had some players, and they got right back into it, and quick. By halftime it was Kingdom Hoops that held a one point advantage 28-27. The Iowa squad used a big second half from both Hosea Treadwell and Nathan Johnson to break the game open late. Treadwell finished with a game-high 18 points. Trayvon Wlliams added 16 and Johnson 15. For WOTN, it was gritty big-man Eli Mostaert that led the way with 15 points.
6:00 — 16U: All Iowa Attack 63 vs Mercury Elite Payan 20
This one was an absolute beatdown. The Attack squad is loaded, and the opponent was completely overwhelmed from the very beginning. This is not a typo, at halftime the score was Attack 47, Mercury Elite Payan 7. The second half was more of a formality, and things started to get a bit sloppy. It didn’t matter. Incoming freshman Tamin Lispey and Carroll sharpshooter Colby Vincent led the way for a well-balanced Iowa scoring attack, each scored 12. This Attack squad will certainly be more challenged tomorrow in bracket play.
7:00 — 16U: QC Elite 49 vs Wisconsin Supreme Elite 29
For awhile it appeared these two teams might be evenly matched, but in the second half the Illinois/Iowa hybrid squad laid that thought to rest. Geneseo wing Isaiah Rivera was showing out in the second half, he’s got several Division I offers and showed why with an electrifying putback jam in the second half. We were there to watch the two Iowa guys on Quad City Elite, Clinton’s LJ Henderson and Assumption’s Sean Peeters, neither scored a ton, but both played their role well.
8:00 — 16U: ET21 Buckeyes 40 vs Iowa Mavericks 29
It was a knock-down drag-out affair between the Illinois squad and Iowa unit, but in the end the length and athleticism if ET21 was too much. For much of the game it was pretty close, it wasn’t until late that the Illinois squad was able to pull away. Cameron Soenksen was everywhere for the Mavs; deflecting balls, snaring offensive rebounds and being a general pest to the opponent. But it wasn’t enough. Alec Millender led ET21 with 13 points. Chris Conway was impressive and had a nice jam at the end to help bury the Mavs.