Next Level Invite: Saturday Game Recaps
8:00: 15U — Pack Attack (WI) 54 vs Iowa Mavericks 34
This was a wild one, lots of ups and downs. The Iowa team was shot out of a cannon to start, it was faster, stronger and jumping higher, they led 13-0 out the gates. Then the Wisconsin boys went on a 19-2 run ahead of taking a 32-25 lead into the break. Things got worse in the second half for the Mavs, and this game ended early due to mercy-rule. The lone Michigan kid on the roster for Pack was the best player on the floor, and he had the best name, Foster Wonders. Maquoketa’s Connor Becker was a standout for the Mavs.
9:00: 15U — Kingdom Hoops Elite 45 vs H.I.T. Basketball (IL) 44
Nathaniel Mueller did some shakin and some bakin and stepped back to can a 23-foot game winner just before the final buzzer sounded to catapult his team to the stunning W. That’s not the only buzzer beater Mueller hit in this game. He was shakin and bakin at the end of the first half before he beat the buzzer with long two. The kid is special, and even at 5’7 is sometimes unstoppable. Manny Austin and Mueller each scored 10 to lead Kingdom Hoops; they’ll play in the Sweet 16 later tonight at 7:00.
10:00: 17U — Team Teague 67 vs Martin Brothers 60
This was was tightly contested for a lot of the game. The Martin Brothers held a 26-20 lead and were in control late in the first half. Then a 12-0 run by the quick and athletic Indiana squad changed the complexion of the game. Teague went into the break up 32-26 and would never relinquish that lead in the second half. Nebraska’s Wes Dreamer was the best player for the Martin Brothers, he was red-hot in the first half and finished with a team-high 19 points. Ahmoni Jones is an athletic slashing wing for Teague, he scored a game-high 20 in the W. Teague moves on to the Platinum Sweet 16 with the win.
1:00: 17U — Michigan Warriors 65 vs Kingdom Hoops Elite 49
This was an example of a really good team losing to a really, really good team. The Michigan guys were ultra fast and supremely athletic with some sharpshooters to boot. Kingdom was able to stay within striking distance for most of the game, and though they did get down by as much as 18 in the second half, they did a nice job of getting themselves back into the game. Hosea Treadwell started the game by canning a deep 3-ball, he ended up with four 3s and a team-high 15 points. Jalen Fisher was small but so quick, the Michigan point guard scored 17. Renel Thrasher was really good for the Warriors, he put in four 3s and scored 16.
2:00: 17U — All Iowa Attack 68 vs Wisconsin Shooters 61
This was a really good win for Attack. And it was yet another game we’ve seen this offseason where St. Edmond’s lengthy guard Andrew Gibb went off. He scored 26 points and the rest of the team played well, as a result, they’ll play in a Gold Bracket Sweet 16 game later tonight. Thomas Faber set the tone early by scoring the first eight points for Attack. Issa Samake did some dynamic things on both sides of the ball. Evan Gauger had bursts of excellence. Conner Hill, Collin Lister and TJ Schnurr all played well. This is a good team that could make a lot of noise in the Gold Bracket.