Jr. Prelude Day 3 notebook

Jr. Prelude Day 3 notebook

Cordova, TN – The final day of any weekend event can be exhausting as fatigue and frustration tend to get the best of everyone. Everyone is looking to see what their team needs to improve on after watching their team play all weekend.

However, while players were exhausted, some players continued to show the ability to compete. The first weekend of the Jr. Prelude is now in the books. Here are some players who made sure to be remembered for the next time.

Elev8 Elite soars with five players

Coming into any tournament or showcase event the body will be challenged physically, even if the team has depth. The hardest thing is playing on three consecutive days with only five players. This is exactly what Elev8 Elite Basketball had to endure.

The California-based organization finished the first session with five relatively healthy players. This did not matter as they competed and finished with a 4-1 record. Their success came from quality performances on both ends of the floor.

Elev8’s most impressive victory was in its final game. They trailed by double-digits through most of the game but never wavered. Elev8 battled back playing relentless defense and taking care of the basketball. This led to the team growing confidently with every defensive stop or basket scored.

The backcourt of David Silva and Michael Rivera were electrifying. They played with synergy and poise. Silva handled the pressure and dropped off dimes. Rivera nailed jumpers with tremendous confidence. King Johnson‘s physical presence on both ends of the floor helped with the comeback and eventual victory.

Coach Cory DeSanti talked about maximizing the team’s effort and sharing the basketball. The West Coast team flew back home knowing they will get healthier and it will have a full roster by Session II in Indianapolis on April 12-14.

Sunday top performers/standouts

Igniire Muhammad | 2028 | REACH Legends had a big-time performance in the team’s final game. The Detroit native went off for 25 points in a variety of ways. He scored the ball from the perimeter and got into the lane freely. His length helped him fill the stat sheet grabbing rebounds and blocking shots.

Isaak Rahman | 2028 | PA Coalition shot the skin off the ball in the team’s solid victory in an early morning session. The shooting guard shot 37 percent from beyond the arc all weekend. Against the Southern Kings, he was on fire nailing 50 percent from deep.

Aiden Spenkuch | 2028 | South Florida Elite is a lefty with a strong skill set. He has a smooth jumper and it slices through the net. This lanky guard can get to the rim successfully. His ability to score the basketball helped him average 27 points a game in Session I. However, he is not just a scorer averaging 12 rebounds a game. This is something that will help him gain attraction from college coaches in the future.

Collin Witman | 2028 | PA Coalition is an extremely versatile guard who plays hard at all times. His scrappy nature allows him to make plays. He finished with 20 points in the team’s dominating win over Vision Elite. Witman leaves it all on the floor on nearly every possession.

Braylon Fuller | 2028 | Southern Kings is a one-man wrecking crew. This athlete is spotted all over the floor. He is around the basket and finishing over defenders. On the defensive end of the floor, Fuller was in every passing lane and rebounding with a purpose. His energy was contagious in helping the team pick up a victory.

Cameron Dickerson | 2029 | PA Coalition has an impressive skill set. The young forward’s footwork is advanced for his age. He put it on display in the team’s final game. His performance overwhelms opponents with shot fakes and soft finishes around the basket. He finished with 15 points. Dickerson’s game is fun to watch and look forward to seeing how it continues to grow with maturity.