Daily Notebook: Adidas Summer Championships Day Two
Hoover, Ala. — In day two of the Adidas Championships, the intensity of the games was higher, players were more tired but we were granted spectacular basketball throughout the day. As we get closer to Championship Sunday, a few players stood out, some hit clutch shots and we were granted with a loaded matchup.
2020 Josh Hall, Team Loaded (NC) – At 6’9’ there is a lot to like about Hall’s game, he has the prototypical build of an NBA wing. His vision was stellar against Team Lillard in their first game creating opportunities for his teammates without tallying a ton of assist. He has a quick first step which allows him to get into an open lane easily for finishes. The wing plays the pick and roll smart and slows down to keep his defender on his hip which was effective throughout his first matchup. He has a lot of tools to be a problem on the defensive end if he locks in and turns up the intensity. He finished with 17 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. In game two he stayed hot and showed off his range going 3-3 from deep totaling 16 points in Team Loaded’s win over Team Lavine.
2020 Day’Ron Sharpe, Garner Road – The 250 pound big man was terrific on both ends on day two of the Gauntlet Championships showing that he is as good as advertised when cleaning up the glass with 16 rebounds. The future Tarheel displayed some strong post moves and finished them off with a soft touch around the rim. Playing with Carson McCorkell spreads the floor allowing Sharpe to fill the lane without problems as McCorkell shot lights out in game one. Sharpe is a high intensity player who will need to continue to polish his offensive game and keep his body in shape to thrive under Roy Williams.
2020 Dalen Terry, Compton Magic – One player who is trending up the boards for college coaches, there was a hefty crowd to watch Terry and Jaylen Clark without No. 1 player in the country, Evan Mobley. The 6’7” wing looks more like a combo guard when handling the ball, he is a brilliant passer with great vision. Terry plays with high intensity while being able to play under control. Coaches drool over the type of defense Terry plays with active hands and staying in front of his man forcing tough shots. Despite the Magic’s struggles without Mobley, the contributions across the board from Dalen Terry, Jaylen Clark and Yassine Gharram was enough to beat a tough Brookwood Elite team. In their second game, Terry kept it rolling in the Magic’s win over Team Florida adding 9 points, but his defensive play was what helped them hold onto the win.
Clutch Player: 2020 Coleman Hawkins, Dream Vision – In a tough matchup against Riverside Church, Hawkins hit a double clutch 15-foot jump shot with the shot clock down to 2 seconds to give Dream Vision a 4 point lead with 35 seconds remaining. He hit even later free throws to seal the game for Dream Vision. In a team flooded with stars like Kyree Walker, Makur Maker and Isaiah Cottrell it was Hawkins who hit the big shot late making his final 3 points essential to their win.
Matchup of the day: Game Elite (FL) vs Upward Stars – A game loaded with star power most notably 5-star recruit Walker Kessler. A matchup that felt like Game Elite had run away with the lead, Upward Stars led by PJ Hall’s 14 points fought back to secure a victory. Despite Kessler’s 20 points and 16 rebounds, Myles Tate contributed 11 points and Dillon Jones with 10 rallied the Stars to a 37 point second half. It was an all around team effort from the Upward Stars that kept them undefeated for Friday as they head into Saturday looking at another tough matchup against the Atlanta Celtics.
Original article found here.
