Bill Hensley Spiece Run N Slam 2026 Wrap-up!!!!!

As always a great event run by Gym Rats Basketball and Indy Heat Nike EYBL. Different shoe comapanies and independent squads mostlytly from the Midwest, got together and played some great basketball. There were two platinum, gold, silver, and bronze champs in each age division. Big time performances all over the place. I'll do the Platinum Champs, then Illinois based players, then out of state players. Here we go:

PLATINUM CHAMPS:

17U:

INDY HEAT NIKE EYBL:

They played part of the tournament without Jahari Miller (#0) (ankle), and Kameron Mercer and still won the event. They lost in pool play to Gateway Basketball Club Colvin, but won the pool on point differential (that's why you play every game hard till the buzzer). Miller had 6 threes in the opener. Peyton Kemp (#3) looks all the way back from a knee inury a couple of years ago, and has his explosiveness back. 7'1 big man Isaiah Hill (#30) was hitting corner threes, rebounding, and rim protecting. Fernandas Wright (#20) is the ultimate glue guy, hitting thress, scoring in mid range, and rim rattling dunks in the interior, as well as crashing the glass. Mack Welker gives them a tall and long (6'8") wing shooter. Had a blowout win over Breakaway Basketball Adidas 3SSB.

UNRANKED NIKE EYCL (IN):

Won the other Platiunum champions with a triple overtime win over Ohio Buckets. Point guard Trell Hogue (#11) hit 6 threes for 19 points in the title game tilt. Braylon Pippens (#13) added 16 points as did Jake Grissom. Great balanced scoring the entire tournament for the young men based out of Indiana.

16U:

GRAND RAPIDS STORM UAA (MI):

Took two Nike EYBL scalps in semifinals and final for the title. Beat The Family (MI) Nike EYBL in a very intense game with a little bit of intense trash talking in the handshakw line. I was told these Michigan based programs are not fond of each other. They turned around and beat a loaded Meanstreet Nike EYBL (IL) team in title game. Josh Bascom (#23) had 12 in the semifinal and Jace Opoku (#4) who's 2029 playing up ran the offense expertly in both games. Opoku was a reserve on Rockford's MHSAA Division One Michigan State Title team. Team had balanced scoring to lead the way.

GATEWAY KNIGHTS P32 (MO):

Team from St Louis Area and Southern Illinois won the title as their opponent Illinois Wolves UAA (IL) forfeited the title contest. Team played well the entire tournament. Coleman Watson (#7) is a smooth 6'5" combo guard who can score at all three levels. Point guard Tucker Reutzel (#2) attacks off the bounce, and can shoot the three at a high clip as well as pass to shooters or rim runners. Mamadou Barry is a 7'2" rim protector at center. Good timing on blocks, and jumps straight up using two hands to reject opposing players. Big time rim runner and rebounder. Ryder Wettig comes off the bench and does a little bit of everything. Intangibles young man.

15U:

THE FAMILY (MI) NIKE EYBL:

Guard play carried the day for the Michiganders. Jordan McDaniel (#1) had 29 points in the title game vs All-Ohio Baneville EYBL and Damani Oliver (#5) had 25 points attacking the rim and scoring, getting to the free throw line, or both. McDaniel hit 3 threes and attacked the rim.

INDIANA ELITE ADIDAS 3SSB:

Three headed monster took over the title game vs TNBA-Ohio HGSL. Combo guard Drew Cabana (#3) had 10 points hitting 2 threes. Tristan Breland (#23) had 13 points hitting 2 threes. Karson Stoudamire had a game high 18 points hitting 2 threes as well.

TOP ILLINOIS PERFORMERS:

17U:

COLE KELLY, BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'7" wing was doing his thing all weekend, scoring from three, attacking the rim to his dominant left hand finishing with dunks, and layups. Crashed the glass and pushed the ball on the break, making nice passes to teammates. Led team to platinum title game. Oh yeah he's 2028 and playing up a grade.

ALEX SIRBU, BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'9" forward is a double/double machine. Scored on the block especially in the second half on the first night when his teammates couldn't make a three. They just threw it inside to him on the block, and he scored more often than not. Crashed the boards on both ends.

KJ MILLER, BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SBB: 6'6" combo guard is a big time prospect when engaged. Hit threes like they are layups, and attacks the rim off the dribble to score on smooth shots off the glass, or a dunk. Versatile defender can guard all perimeter positions.

ZION BRAIMAH, BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'7" forward is an athletic marvel on the glass on both ends. Finishes at the rim with powerful dunks, and is showing a step out three point shot. Brings great energy on both ends.

JORDAN WORDLAW, ZERO FEARS: 6'5" combo guard showed flashes of his ability athletically and scoring. He came close to a big time poster dunk in the game I saw. Hits the three point jump shot, and can attack the rim off the bounce. Versatile defender.

JARREL BROWN, ZERO FEARS: 6'8" wing has had a jump in his game the last six months. He's showing nice handle to get where he wants off the bounce and finish at the rim. Three point jumper has improved to a reliable stroke from long range.

NOAH EMMANUEL, ZERO FEARS: 6'10" forward has improved his three point shooting immensely. Hits them off the bounce or the catch. Athleticism has jumped as well, as he can rim protect, hit the glass, and change ends well.

16U:

KAYDEN TURNER, ILLINOIS WOLVES UAA: 6'4" combo guard showeda smooth three point stroke, as well as some nice two driblle mid range pull-up jumpers. Aggressiveness in general on the court has gone up over the last year. He's pulling out contested defensive rebounds in traffic and playing stronger with the ball. Led team to Platinum title game.

CHASE KASTEN, ILLINOIS WOLVES UAA: 6'5" combo guard is knocking off rust after suffering a concusion in the first event of the season. Hits threes, scores in mid range, and on attacks to the rim. Rebounds at a high level for a wing, not afraid to stick his nose in traffic to grab a tough rebound.

WALKER ROSS, ILLINOIS WOLVES UAA: 6'1" point guard was running the show on Friday, scoring on attacks to the rim, making nice passes, and getting players to the right spots on offense.

KYLER PAYNE, ILLINOIS WOLVES UAA: 6'7" forward continues his big time spring. Rugged on the glass and scoring on the block, this two sport star (football), doesn't back down from anyone in the paint. He also showed he can step out and hit threes off the catch, and attacks the rim off the bounce. Crashes glass on both ends.

GRANT SMITH, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 6'6" wing continues his ascension as a player. Coming off a successful high school sophomore season, athletic wing, who can shoot it from deep, attack off the bounce and dunk on you with finishes at the rim. Quick feet to guard opposing wings on the perimeter.

AMIR TUCKER, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 6'1" point guard can run a team or score off the ball. Gets to his spots on the ball or off. Attacks off the dribble to either score on floaters, or pass to shooters.

AMIR BEASLEY, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 6'9" forward showed some rim protecting in leading his team to Platinum title game. Lefty has a nice stroke from deep showing three point range. Hit a coule of jump hooks in the paint over the weekend.

JOEY JAKSTYS, BREAKWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'6" wing attacked from the perimeter off the bounce all weekend. Got to the rim and finsihed with dunks, or layups using his body to shield defenders. Hit the defensive glass at a high rate, and shot threes mostly off the bounce.

NOAH VAN THOLEN, BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'5" combo guard ran the team most of the weekend, making good passes, attacking the rim, and showing more aggrssiveness with his offense than he did during the high school season. Hits the three off the catch or the bounce.

CARLIL "CJ" PITTMAN, BREAKWAY BASKETBALL ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'1" point guard mostly attacked the rim on dirbble penetration to get three pont shooters, open, or scored himself at the rim. Hit threes off the bounce using good shot selection. Defended other opposing guards keeping them in front of him.

JJ NASH, ZERO FEARS: 6'3" combo guard scored mostly on attacks to the rim in transtion, drew fouls to get to the foul line, converting them at a high rate. Good ball handling to get where he wanted on the court.

CHARLES HARDIMAN, ZERO FEARS 6'4" combo guard had 15 points mostly on attacking downhill drives in transtion or halfcourt vs Unrnkd Nike EYBL.

KAYLEN HARDY, ZERO FEARS: 6'4" forward ruled the inside vs Unrnkd Nike EYBL. Scored 19 points on rebound put backs and changing ends in transition. Big bodied forward who knows how to use it.

RYDER WETTIG, GATEWAY BASKETBALL CLUB P32 COLVIN (MO): 6'5" forward plays at downstate Trico. First time watching him. Solid player who knows where to be on the court, right place at right time. Moves well off the ball, big bodied young man who can handle himself on the glass in traffic. Scores over bigger players, and can step out to hit threes. Big time utility player, can play him in all kinds of lineups.

JA'SEAN GREENE, MIDWEST RENEGADE P32: 6'5" wing is a big time athlete who gets out in transtion with a quickness and can dunk on any unsuspecting defender. Had 18 points vs The Family Nike EYBL.

15U:

DALLAS MARSHALL, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 6'5" combo guard is a three level scorer. Hits threes, showed a nice mid range pull-up jumper, and scores at the rim in a variety of ways. Defends multile positions, and hits the glass on both ends.

TRAVIS JAMISON JR, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 6'4" combo guard is a knockdown shooter from three out to 25 feet, and can take players off the bounce. He can create for himself or others.

DAKARI NESBITT, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 5'10" combo guard is explosive off the bounce, can get where he wants off the dribble. Defends well on and off the ball. Quick hands to get steals. Can shoot from deep.

TOP OUT OF STATE PERFORMERS:

17U:

CAYDEN LARSON, MARTIN BROS UAA (IA): 6'8" forward scores on the interior and can step out to hit threes. He hit three of them in game vs Indiana Elite Team Indiana. Changes ends well and showed he can guard on the perimeter with good athleticism.

TREF RADEMAKER, POWER 5 ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'11" center lefty changes ends well and is a double/double machine. He scored at will in the paint vs Midwest Bball Club MHC. Had 17 points while also drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line.

BENTLEY SHELTON, DARIUS GARLAND ELITE (MI): 6'5" combo guard had 12 pojnts on a couple of threes vs Breakaway Basketball Adidas Gold.

BRODY BURKE, MARTIN BROS UAA (IA): 6'7" wing had 15 points on attacks to the rim off the bounce, scoring over and around defenders, and drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. Crashes the glass on both ends.

MONTEZ GAY, GRIFFIN ELITE UA RISE (KY): 6'6" wing is a gifted three level scorer. Scored 18 of his team's 42 points in loss to Breakaway Basketball Adidas 3SSB. Can get his own shot off the bounce, or score from deep off the catch. One of the top players in his class in state of Kentucky. Won State Title at George Rogers Clark (Winchester, KY)

GRANT MILLER, OHIO BUCKETS NIKE EYCL: 6'7"forward scores around the rim on rebounds and post ups on the block. Changes ends well. Scored 11 in platinum title game loss to Unrndk Nike EYCL.

CARSON SCHOLL, OHIO BUCKETS NIKE EYCL: 6'8" wing is possibly the best shooter in the state of Ohio. Can fill it up from way behind the three point line with range from 25 feet and in. Had 24 points on 6 threes in platinum title game loss to Unrndk Nike EYCL.

REID CREAGER, OHIO BUCKETS NIKE EYCL: 6'3" point guard runs the show, penetrates to the basket and scores or kicks it out to shooters. Pushes the tempo in transition and sets up offense.

SEKOU CISSE, GATEWAY BASKETBALL KNIGHTS COLVIN P32 (MO): 6'9" forward changes ends well, rebounds, scores in the paint, in transition, or from the dunkers spot. Led team to Gold title.

NOUR GASSIM TOURE, GATEWAY BASKETBALL KNIGHTS COLVIN P32 (MO): 6'4" point guard is one of the top sleepers in the midwest. Two end monster, three level scorer, and makes nice passes to teammates in transition or in the halfcourt. Had 35 in Gold title game carrying his team to a comeback win.

VICTOR ABOROWA, INDIANA ELITE ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'7" wing gets out in tranastion and uses his athleticism to score at the rim. Crashes the glass on both ends, and rim protects.

ISAIAH MACK-RUSSELL, INDIANA ELITE ADIDAS 3SSB: 6'5' wing who can score off the bounce in transtion or halfcourt. Hits threes off the bounce or the catch. Hits the glass at a high level for a wing, and defends multiple positions.

MAKEIL BAKER, INDIANA JAMMERS : 6'0" combo guard scored 20 points in loss to Gateway Knights Basketball Colvin P32. Hit 3 threes and attacked the rim to draw fouls and shoot 7/8 from free throw line.

CHRISTIAN BRYAN, INDIANA JAMMERS: 5'10" point guard hit 5 threes and scored 22 points in loss to Gateway Knights Basketball Colvin P32.

16U:

TRAVIS MARTIN, MIDWEST RENEGADE P32 (IL): 6'4" combo guard is from Knoxville (TN) Catholic. He's a knockdown shooter from three who can attack off the bounce and score through contact. Had 23 points vs The Family (MI) Nike EYBL.

LANDON LAMPLEY, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL(IL): 6'7" combo guard is a two end force and three level scorer. Attacks the rim off the bounce in transition and half court. Athletic bounce to finish at the rim, and score in mid range as well as three point shots. Defends all positions on the court. Plays at Pike (Indianapolis).

ROCCO DISANTO, BATES FUNDAMENTALS NIKE EYCL (MI): 6'2" combo guard is a sniper from three and long range about 25 feet and in. Hit 6 of them for 20 points in loss to Illinois Wolves UAA most of them from catch and shoot variety.

CARTER GEORGE, THE FAMILY NIKE EYBL (MI): 6'6" wing is a gifted passer in transtion or in half court. Still 15 years old lots of upside and athleticism. Hits the occasional three point shot but scores best attacking the rim and finishing through and around defenders.

NOAH WASHINGTON, INDY HEAT NIKE EYBL: 6'5" combo guard can run a team or shoot the lights out. Hits threes from all over the court and far behind the line. Attacksa the rim as well and finishes through and around contact.

DANIEL THOMAS, UNRNKD NIKE EYCL (IN): 5'10" point guard is quick on quick and can shoot it from deep as well. Smooth stroke off the bounce or the catch. Penetrates and makes nice passes to teammates. Scored 17 points in loss to Zero Fears.

RASHAD PERRY, OHIO BUCKETS NIKE EYCL: 6'3" combo guard can score in anumber of ways from three, attacks to the rim, and in the mid range vs Breakaway Adidas 3SSB.

CARLOS VAUGHN, GRINDUNTIL P32 (OH): 6'7" wing scored from three and on attacks to the rim. Scored 20 points in win over Power 5 Adidas 3SSB.

DENAHI MELTON, GRINDUNTIL P32 (OH): 5'11" point guard scored 18 points on threes and attacks to the rim in win over Power 5 Adidas 3SSB. Made some nice passes to teammates at three point line and lobs to big men.

DON BOWLING, D1 INDIANA: 6'5" combo guard has a nice handle on the basketball and can get where he wants on the court to create opportunities for himself and others.

15U:

PRENTISS GATES, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL: 6'8" forward has imrpoved over the last 6 months. He's a good rim protector who times his jump to block a shot clean. Looks more fluid and athletic, changes ends well, and showed a nice jump hook on the block. Plays at Westside (Gary, IN).