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Southwest Showcase 17U Weekender AAU Tournament

By: Jeff Meadows

SWS Weekender 17U AAU Tournament

For all of you grassroots basketball junkies, the spring/summer is among us and you know what that means, AAU TOURNAMENT TIME! This past weekend Ron Coleman hosted Southwest Showcase Spring Weekender Tournament High School Division and it was a good one. “This was just the prelim to my big event April 16-18” said Tournament Director Ron Coleman. This event was good for me because it gave me the chance to take one final look at most of the top high school players in the state before I post my Top 100 spring/summer regardless of class player rankings along with my Top 10 AAU team rankings that I will be posting in a few weeks. There was some excellent basketball played and new prospects emerged on the scene. Well, I hope you enjoy the game reports and All-Tournament team so HAVE AT IT!

First semi final game

Team AZ Stars (Ray) vs The Dream Team (Black)

In this evenly matched game Team AZ Stars lead pretty much throughout by a slim margin behind the strong inside play of 6’8 freshman phenom, Torran Jones and 6’8 JR Allen Williams. The Dream Team led by Shawn King the 6’5 multi skilled (W) kept the game close but with 28 seconds remaining in the game Team AZ Stars Judd Welfringer hit a deep three giving the Stars a 66-57 lead which ultimately sealed the deal as Team AZ Stars went on to win 66-59. Allen Williams led to AZ Stars (Ray) with 22pts 12 rebs while Shawn King of the Dream Team (Black) led all scorers with 27 pts.

Second semi final game

 Team M’phisis vs Tucson Desert Storm

The second Semi final game featured the scrappy Tucson Desert Storm who’s led by one of the top 17U backcourt tandems in the state, Lester Medford and Josh Lewis vs another scrappy, hard playing team from Peoria AZ Team M’phisis who’s led by one of the top guards in the state 5’10 SO Dwayne Russell out of Peoria H.S. and Deer Valley High’s Lawrence Pierce the 6’3 floor general. Throughout the first half Tucson Desert Storm was in complete control. Josh Lewis seemed to be virtually unstoppable using his great body strength and skills to overpower the young and inexperienced Lawrence Pierce by bullying his way to the basket or hitting the deep three and at the half the Tucson Desert Storm were up 21-7. Midway through the second half Team M’phisis went on a 7-0 run cutting the desert Storm’s lead to 37-30 but that was as close as Team M’phisis would get as the Tucson Desert Storm would go on a couple of mini runs themselves to keep the young talented Team M’phisis at bay and seal the victory 50-39. Josh Lewis led all scorers with 25 pts grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out 7 assist and Lester Medford had a great game as well scoring 14 pts grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing out 8 assist. Dwayne Russell led Team M’Phisis with 26 pts and dishing out 6 assist. “We kept our composer” said Josh Lewis “We played together on defense and our overall experience was too much for them”.

The Championship game

Tucson Desert Storm vs Team AZ Stars (Ray)

Conventional basketball vs Up tempo basketball and great guard play that’s what best describes this matchups. When you factor in team size, the number of good, skilled players at each position, on paper, Team AZ Stars (Ray) would be the favorite without question but that’s why they play the game. Team AZ Stars (Ray) took control early and often utilizing their team size and controlling the offensive and defensive boards and allowing Tucson Desert Storm only one attempt most of the first half as Team AZ Stars (Ray) went into the half with a comfortable 39-22 lead. The second half was the total opposite as the Tucson desert Storm went on a 12-0 cutting Team AZ Stars lead down to 39-34. With two (2) minutes to go in the second half the Tucson Desert Storm was down by one (1) after a Josh Lewis steal and layup 62-61. But in the end Team AZ Stars (Ray) were too big, long, and athletic as they held on to pull off a 66-63 win. While Team AZ Stars (Ray) played great team basketball down the stretch it was obvious who their leader was, it was Chris Mason. The 6’5 multipurpose, multi skilled guard was the difference in this game. While Tucson Desert Storm’s star (CG) Josh Lewis still had a monstrous game (34pts, 12 rebs & 6 assist) Mason’s length and quickness made every basket that Lewis scored a hard one.“Our depth, team size and athleticism were the big difference” said Coach Ray Arvizu. “Everyone played well”

Southwest Showcase Weekender Tournament 17U All-Tournament Team

Jason Garretson 5’8 JR (PG) Mesquite H.S. (Gilbert) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Garretson)

Jason played very well all weekend leading his to a couple of key wins. Jason is a crafty, heady (PG) who has a great feel for the game. Jason has a variety of moves in his arsenal and to go along with that he possesses a very consistent outside shot.  

Dwayne Russell 5’10 (PG) Peoria H.S. (Peoria) AAU Team: Team M’phisis

Dwayne did a great job in leading his team all weekend. Dwayne is a tough, gritty (PG) who backs down from no one and nothing. Dwayne’s a mirror image of Mesa high’s Jahii Carson the only difference is Dwayne is not as athletic. Going into the spring, Dwayne is the top SO (PG) in the state.

Lester Medford 5’11 JR (PG) Amphitheater H.S. (Tucson) AAU Team: Tucson Desert Storm

Lester played great all weekend. Lester repeatedly beat the opposing guards off the dribble making it almost impossible for teams to play man to man. Lester is a big time (PG) who gives you many different things in one. Lester is a big time player who will have a big time spring and summer.

Isaiah Strong 5’11 SR (PG) Mesquite H.S. (Gilbert) AAU Team: Dream Team (Bower)

Isaiah played very well in this event, showing that he can hit the deep three with accuracy. Isaiah has been playing well for quite some time now and on this particular team I expect for Isaiah to have a very solid spring.

Tyler Russell 6’0 JR (PG) Millinium H.S. (Glendale) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Ray)

Tyler is very explosive! Tyler is a very good (PG) who possesses all of the physical attributes that would allow him to play at any level. Tyler had a solid weekend handling the ball, running his team and playing solid defense. Once Tyler improves his outside shot, LOOK OUT!

Josh Lewis 6’2 JR (CG) Canyon Del Oro H.S. (Tucson) AAU Team: Tucson Desert Storm

Had his team won the tournament Josh would have been the MVP. Josh has really opened up his offensive game and because of that, Josh stock has raised. Josh is also one the top rebounding guards in the state. Josh played as good as one could have played all weekend long bulldogging his opponents often getting to them mentally. Josh really knows how to play and with his physical abilities, he’s almost impossible to guard. Josh was a one man wrecking crew on both offensive and defensive sides. Josh a high caliber guard in a class that is full of high caliber guards. Look for Mr. Lewis to have a very good spring/summer.

Darius Watkins 6’2 JR (CG) Deer Valley H.S. (Deer Valley) AAU Team: Team M’phisis

Darius is a new guy on the scene; Darius is long, athletic and is a good defender. Darius played very well this weekend aggressively rebounding and finishing with key put backs. Look for Darius to improve offensively over the spring and summer to complete his game.

Justin Hill 6’3 SR (G) Pinnacle H.S. (Phoenix) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Garretson)

Justin caught my attention with his stifling defense and his uncanny ability to slash and convert at a high rate. Justin also has very good offensive tools like: hitting the mid range jumper and from time to time stepping out and hitting the deep ball. Justin is a quality (CG) who happens to be an unknown but I’m sure that will change this spring.

Lawrence Pierce 6’3 SO (PG) Deer Valley H.S (Deer Valley) AAU Team: Team M’phisis

I thought that Lawrence was the best pure (PG) in this weekend’s event. Lawrence has emerged as one of the top sophomore (PG’s) in the state and will definitely move up in the spring/summer player rankings. Once Lawrence improves on being able to take the contact on his way to getting to the basket, with his size, speed, quickness, athleticism and natural (PG) skills, he will be a real hot commodity for college coaches.

Goch Ajuk 6’4 SO (WG) Peoria H.S. (Peoria) AAU Team: Team M’phisis

Ajuk is another new guy on the spring/summer circuit scene. Ajuk played well and showed that he definitely belongs near the top of his position in his class. Ajuk is very long, wiry and athletic and is still learning the game and once he begins to hit the mid/long range shot Ajuk, will be at or near the very top of his class. Look for Ajuk to be very productive for Team M’phisis this spring and summer.

Jonah Legg 6’4 FR (W) North H.S. (Phoenix) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Ray)

Jonah played well, so well that I mistaken him for an upperclassmen. Jonah is very athletic, strong quick and a great defender and rebounder. I was very impressed with Jonah; he’s a high energy big guard who really has the knack for hitting the offensive and defensive boards. Jonah is definitely among the top 5 freshman in the state and will be ranked very high in the spring/summer player rankings.

Pierre Newton 6’5 JR (W) Fairfax H.S. (Phoenix) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Ray)

Pierre is another fairly unknown prospect whose game almost mimic’s Jonah Legg’s. I was very impressed with Pierre’s all around game. Pierre had a very productive weekend rebounding and finishing for his team. Pierre is a quality (WF) Pierre is an athletic forward who can slash, rebound, defend and score well. Pierre is another one of those players that I’m sure will have a very productive spring/summer.

Chris Mason 6’5 JR (CG) St. Mary’s (Phoenix) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Ray) MVP

Chris was this weekend’s MVP. Chris came into this past fall as one of the top JR’s in the state, going into this spring, Chris is one of the top prospects in the state period. Chris is a big guard who is a GREAT defender, a Great ball handler, a Great rebounder and a GREAT floor general. Chris’s size, length and speed allow him to either severely disrupt or totally lock down opposing guards on defense. Chris is a very good offensive player as well, he lets the game come to him and he’s still highly effective. Chris can play at any level and at pretty much any college program. Chris will have a very productive spring/fall and my prediction is that Chris will be offered by a BIG TIME program and I definitely won’t be surprised if he commits.  

Shawn King 6’5 SR (W) Gilbert H.S. (Gilbert)

This the first time that I got a chance to sit and really sit and scout this young man and boy was I impressed. Shawn played very well and displayed as high octane offensive skills and weapons. Shawn is a big, strong; athletic (W) who can flat out stroke it from deep. Shawn is also a very good finisher who plays the way he looks, STRONG. Look for Shawn to have a very good spring.

Cameron Forte 6’5 JR (W) McClintock H.S. (Tempe)

Cameron has elevated his game to a whole new level. Cameron is a terrorizer on the offensive glass who has a gift for being at the right place at the right time on the offensive glass. Cameron can also step outside and knock down the jumper. Cameron as a prolific “bunch scorer” meaning; not only does he score in bunches, he also scores often. If Cameron can continue to mature, the sky is the limit.

Torran Jones 6’8 FR (F) Basha H.S. (Chandler) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Ray)

“Tha Big Fella” had a solid weekend. Torran is a very good aggressive rebounder who finishes well. Torran is a great shot blocker and runs the floor like a guard. With the addition of a nice mid range jumper to go along with his good inside game Torran is becoming even harder to deal with. Look for Torran to not only live up to the hype this spring/summer but to exceed it!

Allen Williams 6’8 JR (PF) North H.S. (Phoenix) AAU Team: Team AZ Stars (Ray)

Mr. Williams has developed into what I predicted he would be when I first seen this young man play when he was 10 years old. Williams is a banger, a physical post presence inside who is somewhat mobile for his size (6’8-255lbs.). Williams played good all weekend by controlling the boards, wearing down the opposing post player with his relentless style of inside play. Williams has emerged as one of the top post players in the state. I’m really looking forward to see him play this spring.

Stephen Hadley 6’10 SO (P) Peoria H.S. (Peoria) AAU Team: Team M’phisis

Stephen is another unknown who played very well this weekend. I was really impressed with Stephen’s size (6’10-250lbs.) and abilities. Stephen will be a high priority for college coaches this spring/summer for a few reasons, his size and skills. Let’s see if Stephen can steak his claim as the top post prospect in his class this spring/summer.

Josh Amaya 6’11 SR (PF) Mesquite H.S. (Gilbert) AAU Team: Dream Team (Black)

This was the best that I’ve seen Josh play. Josh was more mobile and showed his ability to be effective in the post as well as stepping out and hitting the mid range and three (3). Josh is a D1 prospect who I feel can be productive prospect at the D1 level.

In a few weeks I will be posting Top 100 spring/summer regardless of class player ranking for the state of Arizona so stay logged on to www.hoopsreport.com U DON”T WANT TO MISS THAT.