On Thursday I ventured down to watch as many games as I could at the Hoosier Shootout.
In the 15 and under division, Select Basketball slid through pool play at a cool 3-0 then bested one of the toughest programs in the Midwest, the Queen City Prophets, with relative ease. Braxton Bonds (CPA), despite playing with an injured ankle, was outstanding controlling the tempo and not allowing the Prophets to get in their patented transition game. Jake Allsmiller (CPA), Andrew Cowie (BGA) and Andy Schumpert (Brentwood) played well against some very stiff competition. The win moves Select to 4-0 and a place in the semi-finals.
Remaining in the 15 and under division Team Hustle pulled off a big win in their bracket opener after going 2-1 in pool play. Jake Graham (Bearden) played very well hitting tough shots and keeping the defense honest with his range. The win proved to be a team effort for Team Hustle as Ryan Henry (Knoxville Catholic), Noah Gettlefinger (Bearden), Isiah Campbell (Bearden) and Jordan Belvin (Loudon) all made major contributions to the victory.
The win sets up a showdown with Team Cory Brewer who buzzed through pool play at 3-0 with some sterling play from Jacob Williams (Wilson Central), Dominique Gooch (Siegel), Charles Clark (Siegel), Derrick Spears (MTCS) and Ryan Jones (Siegel).
The Tennessee Chosen Few finished 2-1 in pool play behind the efforts of Zak Carter (Hardin Valley), Imani Miller (Austin East) and Curtis Phillips (White Station).
The Tennessee Tigers are making their proverbial move again coming out of the gates at 3-0 in pool play action and besting the Wisconsin Blizzard 53-41 in the bracket opener.
Jaquan Lewis (Dickson County) had a hard time finding his mark in the first half but help was on the way in the form of Bryce Copeland (Bradley Central), Mason Ramsey (Livingston Academy), C.J. McEwen (Mt. Juliet) and Gunnar Miller (Davidson Academy).
Lewis made it all better putting on a sterling second half gala and drawing the interest of some coaches in attendance. The Tigers advanced to play with a chance to make it to the semi-finals with one more victory.
Staying in the 16 and under division, the Tennessee Chosen Few finished in a 3-way tie at 2-1 in their pool play. Will Adams (Science Hill) continues to be the catalyst for the TCF, the staunch leader scored 14 and 23 points respectively in pool play games. Outside shooting is no longer an Achilles with the addition of long range bomber Stetson Moore (Knoxville Halls). The blonde bomber dropped 19 and 17 in his first two pool games. Brandon Walters (Brainerd) showed out well inside and the contributions of Micah Goss (Hardin Valley) and Daijon McGill (Austin East) needed to be mentioned.
News on the 17 and under division in tomorrow's report.
