Hoops for a Cause Recap
11/27/2016
Some of the best teams and players in the state converged on Manual High School for the Hoops for a Cause scrimmages on Saturday. The first year event had a great turn out that raised funds and toys for the Ronald McDonald House of Denver.
While there was obviously some early season kinks and the coaches didn’t show all their cards, the play was fairly good and the top players performed as expected.
The Game of the Day
While most of the games were competitive and relatively close, none had the intensity and competitiveness like the Denver East versus Smoky Hill game did. That particular scrimmage felt like a mid-season game with the top players hitting big shots and taking over in big moments. Smoky Hill sophomore Kenny Foster led the Buffaloes doing a little bit of everything and making the right play each time. Junior forwards John Harge and Will Becker played very well for Smoky Hill also.
Denver East was led by senior Jamison Washington and junior Daylen Kountz. Both were able to get the looks that they wanted. But the Angels got a little sloppy and Smoky Hill took advantage and got the better of the Angels on Saturday. If these two teams meet in the post season it will be a must-see game. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen until the Coliseum.
Eye Catchers
Sophomore Kenny Foster – Smoky Hill
Foster was focused the entire day. He scored, rebounded, got loose balls, and passed the ball effectively all day. He had the best overall day of any player at the scrimmages.
Sophomore Jaedon Bradley-Bowles – Manual
The Manual sophomore got a chance to see exactly where he stand next to the state’s best. He isn’t that far off from being in the tops in the state regardless of class. Bradley-Bowles was good in the open court and showed that he could finish in traffic.
Junior Will Becker – Smoky Hill
Becker was very good rebounding and finishing around the basket. He is going to be a match up issue for teams this season as he looks more comfortable with the ball in his hands.
Junior John Harge – Smoky Hill
If it wasn’t Foster or Becker getting the rebound it was Harge. The 6’7 junior ran the floor well, played with intensity and had some very good finishes.
Junior Daylen Kountz – Denver East
Kountz really makes the Angels offense special. He showed that he can get any shot he wants and will finish anyway that he wants. Gifted scorer.
Senior Dallas Bailey – Lakewood
Bailey showed that he is ready for a breakout season. He was very good with the ball in his hands able to get to the basket or hit the jumper. He also showed that he can easily catch alley oops and finish above the rim.
Senior Roy Grigsby – Monarch
Grigsby showed that at 6’9 he can shoot the ball. He will stretch defenses this season and if they decide to let him shoot he will make them wish they hadn’t.
Senior D’shawn Schwartz – Sand Creek
Schwartz showed that he can do whatever he wants to against any team in the state. He finished with authority, hit the mid-range jumper, and banged deep three’s all day.
Senior Jamison Washington – Denver East
Washington is going to flourish in the wide open offensive scheme at East. Plus playing a long side a player like Kountz will open him up for easy drives, dishes and three point shots.
