The first big travel tournament happened last weekend with main headquarters Homestead High School in Mequoin, WI. Lots of talent on hand and looks like the young men are ready to go take names and build reputations for the college coaches. Antonio Curro runs a great event as shoe company teams, and independent teams from the Midwest battled all weekend. Here we go:
Tayshawn Bridges, Kevon Looney Power Five(6'2" combo guard)- Milwaukee native is ridiculous and criminally rated low nationally. This young man is a genius on the basketball court. He can get to the basket anytime he wants and did all weekend, as he can get to the rim and finish with either hand. He showed his scoring chops from three point range shooting 40% from deep in the games I saw. He blocked a couple of dunks at the rim, made steals, and had a nasty tomahawk dunk against the Illinois Wolves in triple overtime win. It was caught by one cameraman. Most of us almost walked out of the gym on that one. 68th overall nationally by 247sports is way too low he's a top 10 talent in the class of 2024. Power Five finished runners-up in the 16U Platinum Bracket.
Cole Certa, Illinois Wolves(6'5" combo guard)- Exploded for a 40 point game on Saturday, as he hit threes, drives to the basket, two dribble pull-ups scoring on all three levels. He hit threes off the dribble and the catch and shoot. Played pretty good defense, had a couple of steals hitting in the passing lane. Rebounds well for a wing. He also had a 28 point game in a triple overtime loss to Power Five that ended their tournament. Big Tim will have to adjust his rankings for Class of 2024 in Illinois.
Dekwon Brown, Mac Irvin Fire(6'3" point guard)- Showed he could play either guard position. Hits threes from long range, off the dribble, and the catch and shoot. Defended both positions in games on Friday and Saturday. Scored double figures in each game played. Look for a jump in rankings this Spring and Summer.
Joshua Pickett, Mac Irvin Fire(6'5" combo guard)- Jumbo point guard who can also play the shooting guard spot. Hits threes, mid range and finished at the rim. Had a couple of games over 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Good vision as a passer in the half court and on the fast break. Defended four positions on defense at the high school level.
Jack Daugherty, Phenom U/Team Herro(6'7" wing)- Big time shooter from three, runs the floor well, hits the glass on both ends of the court. Had 24 points in the 16U Platinum Championship Game vs Kevon Looney Power 5, which his team won in overtime. Hit some huge shots down the stretch. Was a consistent scorer all weekend.
Kon Knuffel II, Phenom U/Team Herro(6'5" guard)- A knockdown three point shooter on spot-ups and off the dribble. Had 21 points in 16U Platinum Championship game vs Kevon Looney Power 5, which his team won in overtime. Consistently finishing on attacking drives to the basket to offset his three point shooting.
Dupree Fletcher Jr, Kevon Looney Power Five(6'0" point guard)- Running mate of Tayshawn Bridges has some moves of his own. He can get to the basket with a nice first step and finishes well for his size. Can hit threes off the dribble to keep defenses honest that are looking for his drives to the basket. Harasses opposing point guards and gets steals on the ball, and in the passing lanes. Team finished runners-up in the 16U Platinum Bracket.
Amari McCottry, Kevon Looney Power Five(6'5" combo guard)- Scored well from three and penetrating to the basket, finishing with Euro steps, and dunks on defenders. Showed a nice step back pull-up mid range jump shot. Team finished runners-up in the 16U Platinum Bracket.
Morez Johnson Jr, Meanstreets(6'9" forward)- Illinois commit showed the entire arsenal this weekend even broke out a couple of three point jumpers. Made plays off the dribble and finished in the lane. Has a nice spin move in the post to get finishes at the rim. He scores with either hand or with nasty two handed dunks. Rim protects very well, rebounds, and changes ends very well. Best two end player of the weekend.
Nojus Industraitis, Meanstreets(6'5" guard)- Scored on all three levels this weekend. Professional scorer. Hit threes off the dribble, catch and shoot, and two dribble mid range pull-ups. Played good defense on the wing and changes ends every well. Rebounds well for a wing as you can play small ball with him on the court. A good passer off the dribble or hitting cutters to the basket.
Mike Jones Jr, Team Rose 3SSB(6'6" wing)- Athletic who runs the floor well and finishes with dunks over unsuspecting defenders. Energy player who is a double/double machine. Hits the mid range jumper with consistency. If he gets any kind of perimeter game hitting threes look out in the next two years.
Evan Oleson, Lakers(5'11" point guard)- Had 27 points vs Mac Irvin Fire National on deep threes, pull-up jumpers in the lane, and nice finishes at the rim. Deceptively quick with a nice first step to get by defenders. Smooth ball handler who did not commit a turnover in this game. Nice floor general for his team on Sunday.
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