Saturday was filled with excitement by the end of the night at the 2016 NY2LA SPORTS SUMMER JAM live event. There were some close games that had the crowds jumping and chanting, and with those some big performances. Rashad Williams (REACH LEGENDS) almost caused the gym to need new nets in a strong battle with Michael Barber (MBA HOOPS), and others put together big games as well to show their stuff.
TOP PERFORMERS
MICHAEL BARBER - 2018 - F - MBA HOOPS
6-8 - JACKSON ACADEMY - JACKSON, MS
Barber utilized his arsenal to a T last night, trimming the defense with a fine tooth comb all evening in an exhilarating win Saturday to advance. Long and athletic, Barber was able to get to the cup in traffic and finish inside, he knocked down a couple tough jumpers and participated in the three-point party going on in that game, including draining he one that sent the game to OT. He finished with 20 points aided by a pair of three's and going 2/3 from the stripe.
QUIN BLAIR - 2018 - F - REACH LEGENDS
6-6 - DEABRON DIVINE CHILD H.S. - LIVONIA, MI
Despite an injured thumb on his shooting hand, Blair showed why he is one of the more underrated shooters around Saturday night by using his form and follow through to drain 4 triples, sink a couple mid-rangers, and finish a few off put backs inside, all to the tune of 20 points and 6 rebounds.
J'RAAN BROOKS - 2018 - F/C - DREAMVISION
6-9 - GARFIELD H.S. - SAN DIEGO, CA
Brooks was dominant inside in the 16U Dreamvision overpowering of TAW. The talented big man showed strength and touch at the rim, put together a few nice post moves, and drew contact to get to the free throw line where he knocked down a respectable 7 of his 9 attempts. Brooks finished with a solid 19 points.
JACOB DESTARKEY - 2017 - F - WI JETS
6-5 - PULASKI H.S. - GREEN BAY, WI
The Pulaski basketball product was strong all day long for the Jets, putting together a tough performance to start the day for the Jets with 13 points and 6 rebounds, and then following that up with an absolute monster output in his final game Saturday to help the Jets advance. In that contest he rolled through, around and over the opponents with 27 points, including taking some time away fro, driving to he bucket to sink a three and seal the deal.
MAURICE EDWARDS - 2017 - G - JETS/RAMEY UNITED
6-2 - ALTON H.S. - ALTON, IL
Edwards was at his best in a big win midday to help Ramey beat the Barnstormers. The quick and tough guard got out on the break often and utilized a variety of moves to get to the hoop and finish. He also showed he can stop and drop in those little mid-range shots. Edwards went 4-of-6 from the free throw line and finished the game with 22 points.
MASON FAIR - 2018 - F - KC KEYS
6-5 - RAYTOWN H.S. - KANSAS CITY, MO
Fair played a really tough game for Keys, keeping them tight in the game against PGE. While not able to overtake them in the end, Fair showed off some nice moves around the hoop with his size and ability, and then also displayed an ability to shoot the ball with confidence, hitting 2 treys and going 4/4 at the line. He finished the game with 20 points and 8 rebounds.
AUSTIN PHYFE - 2017 - PF - IOWA BARNSTORMERS
6-9 - WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK SENIOR H.S. - WAVERLY, IA
Phyfe had a really strong overall game for the Barnstormers Saturday, affecting the game at both ends of the floor. Phyfe was really tough inside and finished around the hoop, often taking contact and going through it, including getting to the line 7 times where he hit 6. His work on the glass was solid as well pulling down a number of rebounds while completing the game with 16 points on offense.
JAVON PICKETT - 2017 - F - JETS/RAMEY UNITED
6-5 - BELLEVILLE EAST H.S. - BELLEVILLE, IL
Pickett dazzled with a show of his abilities in a couple games Saturday. Against the Barnstormers and in a later contest, Pickett was a force driving baseline, taking it to the middle off the bounce and finishing in different ways to get the ball through the net. He showed an ability to knock down shots off the pull-up as well. He finished the one contest with 20 points.
RASHAD WILLIAMS - 2018 - PG - REACH LEGENDS
6-2 - WAYNE MEMORIAL H.S. - WAYNE, MI
It was fun, it was exciting and it was drama in the best way Saturday evening when Williams had the ball in his hands, because it was always a threat to go up. Williams got the crowd roaring with each shot as he scorched the twine for 8 three's, several with a defender present, including one from about 28 feet. The biggest one gave REACH a 3 point lead with seconds to go in relation (though the other team tied it). He finished with 24 points and a healthy shooting percentage.
MARQUES WILSON - 2017 - G - OMAHA ELITE
6-4 - EDMOND NORTH H.S. - OMAHA, NE
Wilson was simply great for an advancing Omaha Elite team on Saturday. In their earlier game, Wilson took over at times, scoring from each level of the half court. The 6'4 guard hit mid-range shots, was popping beyond the arc and showed strength going through contact and finishing at the rim. He had 20 points in the one game and was steady on both ends of the floor in their win to end their evening.
STOCK BOOSTERS
AUSTIN ASH - 2017 - G - IOWA BARNSTORMERS
6-2 - MOUNT VERNON H.S. - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
Ash had a really tough, good game for the Iowa Barnstormers versus Ramey. The 6'2 combo guard shot the ball really well in key moments throughout the game, hitting 3 triples and also scored a couple other buckets. His defensive game was also solid as he was active and created pressure, making his opponent earn whatever they got. Ash finished with 15 points.
EVAN BATTEY - 2017 - PF - DREAMVISION
6-8 - VILLA PARK H.S. - ORANGE, CA
A big, strong player, BATTEY used his size excellently throughout the game late Saturday. He also displayed an ability to get to the cup from the midrange area off the dribble and absorb contact. He was great on the boards at times too, finishing with 9 rebounds to accompany his 14 points.
NOAH BIERNE - 2017 - F - WI JETS
6-3 - NEW HOLSTEIN H.S. - NEW HOLSTEIN, WI
BIERNE played tough all day, and especially had a good game Saturday morning, slashing from the baseline often, finding space around the hoops and finishing with good touch at the basket. He had 17 points then and added another 11 point performance against Train First later.
DEMARIUS JACOBS - 2017 - G - ALL IN
6-3 - UPLIFT - CHICAGO, IL
Jacobs has a fluidity about his game that is nice. He drove with easy through traffic at times, and then would finish strong going through contact when around the rim. He also knocked down a three later, filling. In 14 points.
ROCKY KRUESER - 2017 - F - MN FURY KALLMAN
6-8 - TORINO GRACE H.S. - WHITE BEAR LAKE H.S.
Krueser did everything his team needed in their later game Saturday, knocking down shots, playing solid defense, rebounding the ball and even pushing tempo when available. He knocked in a pair of three's and completing the game with 14 points.
TYLER RIEMERSMA - 2017 - F - MINNESOTA WARRIORS
6-7 - BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON H.S. - BLOOMINGTON, MN
Riemersma played a steady game and h it some big shots for his team throughout their big victory Saturday evening. The Bloomington product hit a three, buried some other tough shots and finished with 15 points while also going 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
KEONDRE SCHUMACHER - 2017 - G - ALL IN
6-0 - U-HIGH NORMAL - BLOOMIINGTON, IL
Schumacher started out the game absolutely sizzling, burying 4 treys in the first half and getting out in transition for some other buckets. He finished the game with 16 points.