The final day of the 2019 NY2LA Sports Invitational had some solid performances from a number of different basketball players from different teams. I had the chance to catch contests with players from Quad City Elite, Mercury Elite, Kentucky Hoop Dreams, Full Package, Illinois Magic, and Grassroots Sizzle really get after it and put together some outstanding performances both offensively and defensively, including a few gems from some players who really had themselves awesome games. Some top performers from Sunday at the Invitational and why they earned that distinction are discussed below in the recap.

TOP PERFORMERS
OLIVER BAKARIS – 2021 – SF – QUAD CITY ELITE
Bakaris did a stout job scoring the basketball with good efficiency in Quad City’s final game of the event. Bakaris knocked down some mid-range type shots and was active rebounding the basketball, both defensively and with a couple offensive rebounds as well. He scored around the basket a couple times too and finished off a couple free throws in the game, good for 12 points in the contest.

DIMITRIOS BAZOS – 2020 – SF – MERCURY ELITE
Bazos played a solid overall game on both ends of the floor for Mercury Elite in an early afternoon contest. The lengthy shooting guard made some nice plays with the ball in his hands both in the half-court sets and coming down in transition to get to the hoop and make shots, but also drilled a three in the game, tallying 12 points to lead the way for his team.

BRAEDEN CARRINGTON – 2022 – SG – GRASSROOTS SIZZLE
The talented ’22 prospect put together a couple solid games with good shooting on the final day of the tournament. Carrington showed a nice release and has good length at his age and position to shoot over the defenders, which he did on a number of occasions, knocking down 3 three’s in the second game after drilling 2 in the first game. He finished both games with 11 points and played with consistency throughout the day.

CHASE CARTER – 2022 – PF – GRASSROOTS SIZZLE
The inside presence for Sizzle did some solid work around the blocks and attacking the rim off the catch often. He had a couple plays in the day where he used a couple dribbles to work his way to the hoop  strong and also got himself to the free throw line a few times where he went 4-for-6 in the first game and hit another 3 free throws in the second game, tallying 10 points and 11 points respectively in two of the games.

DOUG MILLER JR – 2020 – SG – IL MAGIC
Miller was fantastic for the Magic with a really aggressive mindset offensively and good activity defensively and on the boards. With his length and shooting ability, Miller was able to knock down a number of shots from various spots in the half-court offense. He drained a three in the second half, got to the rim for scores and was consistently attacking the defense and scoring the basketball to help lead his team to a big win Sunday, closing it out with 22 points.

JONAH OGUNSAYNA – 2020 – G – FULL PACKAGE
Ogunsayna had a really hot hand Sunday in a tough loss to the close their tournament, but the fire shooting combo guard put up an amazing effort to keep his team in the game throughout. He  was pulling up for three’s off the dribble, catching it on the perimeter and knocking down, as well as driving and pulling up for a few shots as well, also taking contact and converting a couple free throw opportunities. When it was all done, Ogunsayna impressed with a big-time 26-point effort.

CAMERON PFEISTER – 2021 – SG – KENTUCKY HOOP DREAMS
Pfeister showed some really good athleticism in a tough loss Sunday, but also displayed a good feel for the game and a skill set that’s really developing. He made a couple nice shots and had some good finished getting to the bucket, including a powerful slam dunk on a contested fast break play. Pfeister was also good from the free throw line, hitting 7-of-9 attempts, and finishing the game with a team-high 15 points.

ERIC PRICE -2021 – PG – QUAD CITY ELITE
Price had the heat-seeker on hand to start the day for Quad City as he shot it with major confidence in their first game Sunday. The tough young guard pulled up and connected on 8 three-pointers in the game and finished the contest with 29 points, also converting a couple drives to the bucket for scores.

MARCEL RAILEY – 2021 – G/F – KENTUCKY HOOP DREAMS
Railey also played with a lot of energy and toughness for KHD, showing really good athleticism and fight in his game. He had a couple nice drives, hit on a few free throws after getting to the hoop and going up strong through contact to force the foul calls, and then punctuated his outing with a one handed jam coming down the lane toward the finish of the game. He had 11 points and 6 rebounds in the matchup.

JORDAN RICE – 2021 – PG – QUAD CITY ELITE
Rice put together a couple really nice performances over the weekend and Sunday was no different, as the quick and talented point guard was constantly attacking and scoring in Quad City’s final game of the event. He was under control much of the contest and found ways to slice to the hoop and either finish around the basket or hit some pull-up jumpers, as well as sink a three-pointer in the game. He finished altogether with 20 points in the game.

DONOVAN SMITH – 2022 – PG – GRASSROOTS SIZZLE
Smith has some fire in his game and used his quickness and instincts well in a couple contests Sunday to help his team fight their way to the title game. In their first game Sunday, Smith drained 3 triples and knocked down a couple other baskets to drive his team to a victory behind his 13-point effort and with his ability to break down defenders with the dribble and kick to open teammates.