May 14-15 BIG SHOTS Rock Hill- Wrap Up, Stats, Honors!

Rock Hill, SC- "Speed Week" was in full effect as lightning quick guards in all three brackets made their impact on BIG SHOTS Rock Hill!  Defensive intensity and ball pressure were both on display from start to finish. Teams that brought that intense guard play advanced and the ones that couldn't handle it fell by the wayside.  Players like Keshun Sherrill (Carolina Phenoms 17), DJ Carnegie (QCAA Force 17), Jeremy Young (Blizzard 16), Aaron Litton (Charlotte Jets East 16), and Austin Hatfield (NC Gaters 15) were among the many that "brought it" at BIG SHOTS ROCK HILL!

The South Carolina Ravens 17 were dominant on the perimeter.  Their depth and athleticism overwhelmed the field and was the primary factor in their 59-40 championship win over Blizzard Athletics Flight 22.  Quinton 'Buc' Johnson (Co-MVP), Devonte Brooks (Co-MVP), Terell Rogers and Ed Stephens led the charge for the Ravens.  All four of these guys are quick, strong and athletic...and they play HARD!  In the championship game, the Ravens limited Flight 22's second chance ops and smothered Flight 22's guards with their defensive pressure.  Team speed was the difference-maker for the Ravens.  In all three of the Ravens' wins, they routinely beat their opponent to loose balls and long rebounds.  As they say, "SPEED KILLS"!  Despite the loss, it was another good showing for Nathan Faulk's Flight 22 team out of Wilmington, NC.  DJ Mason made the All-Tourney team in what was maybe his best BIG SHOTS performance to-date.  The long, 6'6" forward averaged 15 pts per game to lead the team in scoring. Jeremy Smith also continued his consistent play for Flight 22.  He averaged 12 pts and 6 rebounds while garnering All-Tournament.  QCAA Force's DJ Carnegie averaged 20 pts per game and had his full arsenal of skills on display.  He was one of the most impressive players at the event. 

Blizzard Athletics 16 won the 16u title over Charlotte Jets East 16 56-49.  Coach Brandon Hale's Blizzard 16 team has done nothing but improve over the course of the BIG SHOT SPRING SERIES.  Coming off a runner-up finish in the BIG SHOTS SPRING SLAM in Myrtle Beach, Blizzard 16 proudly took home their first BIG SHOTS title.  All-Tourney Matt Gilgo led the way in the title game with 14 pts, followed by fellow All-Tournament selection Kenny Grady's 13 pts.  MVP Jeremy Young continued to be the motor that propels Blizzard.  Despite having only 7 pts in the final, Jeremy was a difference-maker at both ends.  He defended, distributed the ball to open teammates, and scored.  Blizzard 16 has been a totally different team since they picked him up.  Aaron Litton had 15 points, 8 dimes, and 5 steals for Charlotte Jets East in the final.  The All-Tourney guard had another great showing in Rock Hill.  He is an extremely quick pt that really dogs the ball.  He creates offense off of his D, and is tough in transition.  Roderick Poag (All-Tourney) led Charlotte Jets East 16 in scoring at 12 pts per game.  He is an athletic rebounder that really looks to crash the offensive glass.  Rounding out the All-Tournament team for the 16u was Andrew Burns (Spartanburg Hawks 16).  He is a crafty finisher that finds his way to the basket.  Averaged 18 pts per game for the 5th place finishers.  He can do three important things pretty well...shoot, pass, and dribble!

Without a doubt, the 14/15u bracket had the most exciting finish in the championship game!  The West Virginia Wizards 14 hit a contested jumper with 2 seconds left for a 54-53 win over the Charlotte Mustangs 15.  This was a well played game by two well coached teams!  The title game had many lead changes and momentum swings.  MVP center Levi Cook (6'8") led the champs with 19 in the final and averaged 21 for the tournament.  He was just too big and too skilled to be stopped.  By no means was he a one man show, though.  Steven Chhabra, who hit the game winner, and Nacias Macias were both All-Tournament.  They played big roles on defense and also knocked down some outside shots to pull the double and triple teams off Levi in the paint.  Jeff Koziol's Charlotte Mustangs 15 had a great showing!  They are a very fundamental team that plays hard.  They were led by All-Tournament selections Steven Santa Ana (16 pts/gm) and John Emezie (17 pts/gm).  Santa Ana is an athletic, 6'1" scorer that looks to attack the basket.  He is a skilled player that has a high basketball IQ.  He has the vision to drop it off to open teammates also.  Has 3 pt range also.  John Emezie is an athletic, 6'3" player that has a strong build.  Against 14/15 year-old competition, he plays primarily inside.  However, he showed he has perimeter skills and an ability to shoot the 3.  NC Gaters 15 had a strong event in Rock Hill going 3-2 while playing two games up in the 17u division.  They were led by Austin Hatfield (All-Tournament) at 19 pts per game.  The gritty lefty is a combo guard that can finish tough shots in the paint.  High IQ, high motor, and tenacious defender.   

BIG SHOT PERFORMERS

17U All-Tournament 

Devonte Brooks-SC Ravens 17 (Co-MVP)

Quinton Johnson-SC Ravens 17 (CO-MVP)

Jeremy Smith-Blizzard Athletics Flight 22

DJ Mason-Blizzard Athletics Flight 22

DJ Carnegie-QCAA Force 17

16U All-Tournament

Jeremy Young-Blizzard Athletics 16 (MVP)

Kenny Grady-Blizzard Athletics 16

Matt Gilgo-Blizzard Athletics 16

Aaron Litton-Charlotte Jets East 16

Roderick Poag-Charlotte Jets East 16

Andrew Burns-Spartanburg Hawks 16

14/15U All-Tournament

Levi Cook-West Virginia Wizards 14 (MVP)

Nacias Macias-West Virginia Wizards 14

Steven Santa Ana-Charlotte Mustangs 15

John Emezie-Charlotte Mustangs 15

Austin Hatfield-NC Gaters 15

Bernard Jones-Big Shots Elite 13

Notes: 

-Keshun Sherrill (Carolina Phenoms) had an impressive event.  Athletically gifted.  He has a great pull-up game and is unbelievably explosive.   

-Darryl White (Charlotte Nets 16) lit it up this weekend.  The 5'11", 2014 guard hit six 3's against the Carolina Surge and Carolina Raptors Red.  He had a three game total of 15 made 3 pointers.

-Bernard Jones (Big Shots Elite 13) averaged 28 pts per game.  He was unstoppable off the dribble.  Showed why he is considered the top rising freshman in SC.

-Travis Frye (Beach Ball Select 17) continues to improve his stock.  He is a guy that goes out and makes things happen.  At the end of the day, he always has 10 and 8 and has an impact on the game.