The first session of the NY2LA Grassroots Showdown Series drew some talented teams from all across the Midwest to Waukegan, IL on Thursday and Friday. Here are the top performers from the 15u division of the event. 

Gavin Farrell – Wisconsin Dynasty – G
Talented guard with a good all-around game and knows how to score the basketball. Standouts the most with his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers. Moves well without the basketball coming off screens to get good looks and knocks them down in bunches when he does with a good-looking jump shot. Smart defender who knows where to be and really works on the defensive end. 

Owen Freeman – Midwest Prospect Academy – C
Freeman is a strong 6’9” post with a good build. Nearly unstoppable to stop when has the ball on the block. Simply overpowers defenders down low to score when posting up. Tough rebounder grabbing all missed shots the ended up anywhere near him. Has a good ability to defend the paint blocking shots and deterring drivers, but moves well for size to defend forwards out on the perimeter. For sure a player college coaches will want to know moving forward. 

Brock Harding – Midwest Prospect Academy – PG
One of the more impressive point guards at any level of the entire tournament greatly impressing in multiple games. Harding showed off high level point guard skills throughout the tournament. Has great handle and quickness in addition to changing speeds so well allowing him to get into the paint with ease. Impressed with his vision on the drive creating plenty of easy buckets for his teammates. Also, able to score himself on his drives plus hit a few threes spotting up. 

Conner Lemmon – Focus Premier – G
Lemmon had one of the most impressive shooting performances of the entire event hitting seven threes in a single game. The majority of them came spotting up where he showed off a very nice shooting form. When the defense keyed in on him he showed off impressive range moving even further back to hit his shots. Did not force his shot at all and hit them at a very high percentage. 

Milan Momcilovic – TH-2023 – F 
Long 6’7” wing forward that showed he was one of the top shooters of the tournament. Knocked down threes in bunches right over defenders with his smooth stroke. Much more than a shooter however as he plays with good energy and gets a good amount done on the court. Handles the ball well, can put the ball on the floor, rebounds the ball well, and more. 

Matthew Schmainda – Wisconsin Swing – G
Talented guard that can flat out score the basketball. Rises up well to hit contested jumpers with a quick release over defenders in bunches at a high percentage. Also does a good job creating space in the mid-range to hit pull up jumpers. 

Alex Sherwood – Wisconsin Blizzard – F
Talented young forward who greatly impressed in both days of the event. The long 6’6” forward has a good skill set and plays hard. Has a good ability to score the ball in a variety of ways around the basket but can also stretch the floor spotting up from three. Very active on the offensive glass getting baskets in multiple put backs in addition to posting up for several baskets. Was one of more impactful forwards at the 15u level. 

Will Starks – World Hoops Elite – G/F
Strong slashing wing that was able to get to the basket often. Good moves when attacking the basket and is tough to stop once he gets going downhill to the basket. Good finisher though contact completing a couple of and one plays. Has the ability to put up points in bunches. Battled attacking the offensive glass hard. 

Mac Wrecke – TH-2023 – G
Strong and athletic 6’5” wing guard that had one of the more impressive performances purely taking over in a game on day two of the tournament. Tough driver that just could not be stopped from scoring on his drives. Finished well at the basket for multiple and one plays. Uses his strength well to overpower defenders to get to the basket but can also has good moves off the dribble to beat defenders. Very tough matchup with all of his abilities. 

Prentice Young Jr. – TH-2023 – G
Skilled playmaking point guard that is good with the ball in his hands. Strong with the ball and does a nice job breaking down defenses. At his best penetrating the defense and distributing it out. Showed good vision while on the move, always seeing any open teammates when drawing help defenders. Good quick decision maker.