Prodigy Elite (Calif.) wins the 17U Elite Division at the Seventh Annual Elite 8 in the Desert with a title game victory over Gamepoint Black (Calif.). NFL YET (Ariz.) and Las Vegas Elite 2017 also win division titles at weekend tournament in Phoenix, Ariz.
The purpose of tournaments and showcases during non-viewing periods in the spring and summer is to get underclass players tuned up for the viewing period and aid graduating seniors in their quest for a college scholarship.
Prodigy Elite, a travel ball club based out of Southern California’s Inland Empire and directed by former Glendora High School standout Cameron Murray, is a mixture of young players, graduating seniors and post-graduates. One of the program’s graduating seniors, 5-foot-10 Brian Beard Jr. (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), helped himself with his performance in the Elite 8 in the Desert Tournament put on by Chad Groth of Area Codes Basketball.
Beard, known as “B.B.” by family, teammates and friends, led Prodigy Elite to four victories en route to the Elite 8 in the Desert 17U Elite Division title. Murray’s club defeated Vista, Calif.-based Gamepoint Black 56-47 in Sunday afternoon’s title game.
Beard led the way in the championship game with a game-high 15 points and was named tournament MVP. More than his point total, the uncommitted senior was a sparkplug with his defense and ability to finish around the basket. Beard also displayed leadership ability to quarterback an offense and was clutch in Prodigy Elite’s final two victories.
In a 61-52 semifinal victory over Gamepoint White, Beard picked a ball-handler’s pocket clean for a bucket near the end of the game and he did it two times on back-to-back possessions in the title game to spark Prodigy Elite. In addition to 15 points, Beard had three steals, two assists and two rebounds in the title game.
Prodigy Elite also got solid performances from 6-foot-3 Khalil Ahmad (Centennial, Corona, Calif.) and post-graduate players Malcolm Drumwright and Robert White. Ahmad, a 2015 prospect, didn’t get a lot of publicity at Centennial playing alongside SMU commit Sedrick Barefield and Long Beach State-bound Deontae North, but he’s an excellent defender and makes winning basketball plays using his length and penchant for being around the play. Ahmad finished the title game with seven points and six rebounds. He definitely has the ability to help a low to mid major program at the next level.
Drumwright, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, finished with 13 points and five rebounds. White, a 6-foot-5 forward, played big in the interior and finished with six rebounds.
Gamepoint Black, coached by Charlie Mercado, lived by the 3-point shot and died by it in the championship game. Mercado’s club made 7-of-26 attempts from long range.
Dalton Soffer (Poway, Calif.), a 6-foot-5 2015 prospect, made four 3-pointers and led Gamepoint Black with 12 points. Quen Meadows (El Camino, Oceanside, Calif.), a 6-foot-4 2015 prospect, and Darrion Willies (Summit, Fontana, Calif.), a 6-foot-5 2015 prospect, added seven points apiece.
Gamepoint Black advanced to the title game by keeping the Arizona Power Black from getting a clean look on its last possession in a 49-47 semifinal victory.
In the 16U Division, Las Vegas Elite 2017 defeated IEBP Blue 64-57 in the championship game. Charles O’Bannon Jr. (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas) was named MVP after scoring 13 points for Las Vegas Elite. The 6-foot-4 inch 2017 wing didn’t shoot a high percentage from the field, but he got to the line and his team executed down the stretch after some shaky turnovers at the beginning of the second half. Las Vegas Elite led 31-19 at halftime.
O’Bannon Jr. is the son of 1993 high school All-American Charles O’Bannon, who helped UCLA win the 1995 NCAA title. He also is the coach of his son’s travel ball team.
Jemarl Baker (Roosevelt, Corona, Calif.), a 6-foot-1 2017 guard with a sweet-shooting stroke, led IEBP Blue (based out of Southern California’s Inland Empire) with 16 points. He knocked down two early 3-pointers and shot well from the field, but his teammates couldn’t get him any good looks down the stretch when the title game was in the balance.
C.J. Clark (J.W. North, Riverside, Calif.), a 5-foot-9 2016 guard, and Garrett Carter (Etiwanda, Calif.) a 6-foot 2016 guard, also stood out at times for IEBP Blue. Clark, in particular, stood out with his explosiveness in the half court. He was able to get by his defender and create for teammates or finish at the rim.
In the 17U Open Division title game, NFL YET (Ariz.) defeated Prodigy Platinum 58-48.
Ronnie Flores is the Publisher and Editor of GrassrootsHoops.net. He can be reached at ronlocc1977@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
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