With the 2019 NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza now in the books and the rest of the spring and summer ahead, we take a look at some of the past weekend’s top performers from the event. A number of players across the different age levels (15U-17U) were playing some good basketball and put together a number of fine performances for their teams. Some really excelled and showed how they lead their teams and displayed their skill sets, while others made some nice plays, were steady contributors to their squads and proved they are worth keeping an eye on as the travel season continues.

TOP PERFORMERS
RAHEEM ANTHONY – 2019 – G –ALL IN
Anthony had a couple really solid games for All In. He was tough with the ball throughout the weekend and showed some versatility to his game as a stronger guard who can both dish and score. He shot the ball well, got to the basket and finished plays on both ends of the floor.

VERNON “SHILO” BOWLES – 2020 – F – WI RAP
Bowles showed why he is a player to really watch this travel season with the way he played over the weekend. With his athleticism, consistency and length he really made it difficult to defend him on the offensive end, and was also effective defensively. Bowles knocked down shots, finished around the basket and was steady on the defensive end of the court as well.

WENDELL GREEN JR – 2020 – PG – MICHIGAN PLAYMAKERS
Green was really difficult to defend all weekend with his combination of speed, quickness, ball handling and natural basketball instincts. He showed a great feel for the game, and was constantly putting the defense on its heels with his handles and moves working to get points on the board. Green finished attacking the rim and also hit a few step backs for three’s and was a force.

REED GUNNINK – 2020 – SG – WI SWING LITCH
Gunnink is a bigger off-guard with a good skill set that he displayed over the weekend. He was great in the transition game, getting out on the break and finding ways to finish both against contact or going strong on the rim. Gunnink showed he can shoot the ball a bit by knocking down some shots and he was also good rebounding the basketball.

SAM HAESE – 2021 – SG – WI BLIZZARD EMERY
Haese was a steady contributor for his team, playing really well in a couple different games. He scored the basketball regularly, burying a bunch of shots throughout the weekend. He put in effort defensively and also moved the ball well offensively with teammates to help open up looks for them.

ISAAC HANEY – 2021 – PG – YANDERS LAW
Haney did his work this past weekend, where he put up good numbers for his team and helped them compete at a high level because he was playing at a high level. The young point guard was exceptional with the ball in his hands and made some big time plays. He was smooth going to the basket and finishing with touch around the rim, and showed off his handles. Haney was also good shooting the ball overall and finding his teammates at other times.

BAYLOR HEBB – 2020 – G – 3D EMPIRE
Hebb kicked the tournament off with an outstanding effort Friday night, and then continued that strong play throughout the event. The combo guard out of Texas was drilling big time shot after big time shot, took on the challenge of leading his team despite facing the focus of the opponent’s pressure, and made plays on both ends of the court, including finding his teammates to get them scoring opportunities.

PARKER LAWRENCE – 2020 – PG – WI BLIZZARD EMERY
Lawrence had some really nice performances for the Blizzard and took his opportunities to shine as they came. He played really good team basketball, as he defended and shared the ball for a number of assists on the weekend, but also displayed his own ability to score the basketball through getting to the basket, or knocking down outside shots.

ISAAC LINDSEY – 2020 – G – WI SWING
Lindsay had a solid overall weekend, playing with good energy and teamwork. He passed the ball well, he pushed the tempo and got out on the break where he had success finishing lay-ups. Lindsay shot the ball with good consistency both from the mid-range and perimeter areas, and led his team.

DAVION MCCARTHY – 2022 – PG – IL CENTRAL ELITE
McCarthy played really well all-around for IL Central where he used his athleticism, frame and instincts to really impact the game. He was great with the ball in his hands and made several plays attacking the rim, but also put up some jump shots that he knocked down with relatively good efficiency.

AMARION NIMMERS – 2022 – PG – QUAD CITY ELITE
Nimmers looked confident and quick for Quad City. He really put pressure on the defenses with his ability to blow past defenders and get to the middle off the dribble. From there he was able to finish a couple baskets, or played with good enough control to draw fouls and then hit free throws. The talented young guard also knocked down three’s for his team and showed a well rounded offensive game.

COREY PHILLIPS – 2022 – F – ALL IOWA ATTACK
Phillips has really good size with a tough offensive skill set. He can handle the ball well enough to take slower defenders off the dribble, but also shoot the ball well enough that smaller defenders struggled to defend him on the perimeter. He was a mismatch for whoever they faced and did a nice job utilizing his skills to be productive to help his team win.

JUOK RIAK – 2022 – F – WI DYNASTY
Riak showcased a nice overall game with his play over the weekend. With good height and length, Riak was tough on the defensive end as a deterrent to driving opponents, and then on offense he did a nice job around the paint of finding short and mid-range scoring opportunities and showed he has a nice shot from those areas. He also knocked down a perimeter shot though and as that develops more, he will really be a tough haul for any defense to slow down.

BRENT WOLFF – 2021 – SG – KESSEL HEAT
Wolff was excellent for Kessel during the weekend as he really showed off a developing game where he can work a defense in multiple ways. He can score slashing and catching going to the basket, he plays strong enough around the rim and with good balance that he gets to the free throw line for easy opportunities, and he was really good shooting the ball from the three-point area as well.

LORENZO WRIGHT – 2020 – PG – MICHIGAN WARRIORS
Wright displayed his ability to attack a defense in different ways which really put the opponent in a tough spot to slow him down. He was able to score on the drive, getting by defenders and finishing at the hoop, but he was also able to step back and score from the perimeter which forced the defense to pick its poison some.  Wright showed a knack for getting the ball in the hoop and had excellent production this past weekend.
 
STOCK BOOSTERS
CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL – 2022 – G/F – WI PLAYMAKERS
Campbell showed good athleticism, competitiveness and a nicely developing skill set where he was able to score in bunches, be it attacking the rim both in the half-court off the drive or in transition, but also was good shooting the ball from outside.

REID GASTNER – 2020 – SG – MN COMETS ELITE
Gastner’s game really showed a balanced attack of playing with good strength and balance, where he could score at the rim, at the free throw line, or from the perimeter when he got open looks.

JAMES KELLEY – 2019 – SF – WI RAP
Kelley, who is actually young for his was definitely a difference maker for RAP once again with his ability to take big defenders off the dribble and use his frame to create space on his way to the hoop. Once he gets a slight look, he does a nice job of finding his path to rim and finishes with good touch off the glass consistently.

ELIJAH KING – 2022 – PG – MN COMETS ELITE
King is playing up with the big boys on 17U and really showed he belongs as he got to work early attacking the basket and really showing he is comfortable both scoring the ball in multiple ways (can catch and shoot, can pull up off the dribble or can attack the basket and finish), and running the offense to get his teammates involved.

DYLAN KUEHL – 2021 – SF – WI SWING
Kuehl has a good maturity to his game and plays with great competitiveness. He knocked down shots for his team, defended, rebounded and was both aggressive and patient when finding a way to get to the hoop and score.

ZACH LONGUEVILLE – 2021 – G – MN SELECT
Longueville played with great energy on the court, and also displayed his ability to score in a variety of ways. He had a nice shot and drained several three’s, but also scored both off the drive and in transition.

BRIAN PARZYCH – 2021 – G – WI SWING
Parzych excelled in the open court this weekend and really forced the opponents to get back on defense and have to work to defend the paint. He was really good driving the ball and finding looks at the hoop, and was also excellent from the free throw line.

RYAN ROBILLARD – 2021 – SG – WI BLIZZARD EMERY
Robillard put together a mighty fine shooting display in an earlier game Saturday, making it rain from the three-point line and also scoring a couple other buckets. If he continues to shoot like that this travel season, he should get on more radars soon.

COLIN SCHAEFER – 2020 – PG – WI SWING
Schaefer continued to be a driving force for his team over the weekend, building off a stellar junior season. He defended really well again, he was under control with the ball and picked his spots to score while also dishing out the basketball for teammates to score often.

OMAR ZIEGLER – 2021 – SG – MICHIGAN PLAYMAKERS
Ziegler showed some excellent athletic ability with a lot of burst and nice instincts on the court. He rebounded hard, ran the floor and capitalized with either fast break buckets or tip-in scores, and was otherwise solid as a slasher, cutting to the hoop and scoring off the catch.