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OTR Elite 32 – Day 2 HEAT – July 7, 2023

OTR Elite 32 - Day 2 HEAT - July 7, 2023
July 8, 2023

MARIETTA, Georgia, – Day two of the OTR Elite 32 brought elite competition and the college coaches out to watch. Our scouts covered two venues from top to bottom. New names and old faces turned in performances to remember. Here is a recap of the top storylines from Friday of the event.

Game of the Day

The most exciting game of the day took place between Wood Elite South and SW Illinois Jets. The Jets found themselves trailing by double digits early in the first half. The game looked to be on the trajectory for a blowout. The class of 2024 trio of Jaeden Rush, Zach Chambers, and Dainen Rucker provided the momentum to bring the Jets back. The game looked to be decided in the final minute of the game.

In the final seconds of regulation, Rush found himself with the ball but also without a shoe on his left foot. That did not deter him from pulling a jumper from just inside the half court line and sinking the shot to send the game to overtime.

See the video from our Jen Brazelton below:

With both teams obtaining a lead and then consequently losing it, the game went to a second overtime. In the sudden death format, both teams missed scoring opportunities. Finally, Wood Elite’s Deston Christian grabbed an entry pass, power dribbled toward the middle and then a pivot back to the hoop and the lay-in for the win.

FINAL SCORE

Wood Elite South: 80 
SW Illinois Jets 78

Top scorers:

Jaeden Rush 27 points (SW Illinois Jets)

Ryan Williams 22 points (Wood Elite)

 

Team Mookie Takeover

Team Mookie Betts 17U and 16U marched into Next Play 360 and made their presence known. The 17U group was led by guards Jackson Washington and Fred Bailey. Washington is a 6-foot-4 lefty sharpshooter. While Bailey is a strong framed lead guard who is quick to dish an assist or find a bucket in the lane.

The 16U group played up in the 17 bracket and split their two games today. In their opening game they found a 20-point victory. They then narrowly fell to a tough and experienced Team Forrest squad. Point guard Tylan Lewis caught the attention of our scout Cam Rickers as one of the top 2025 prospects at the event. Also keep an eye on 6-foot-7 Preston Wade as a name to emerge in the state of Tennessee.

Taste of Texas

Our Keith Agran has covered Kell High School thoroughly the past two days. He reports that Texas is the talk of the secondary sight. Dallas based program Triumph Elite impressed with their play. They were led by Ethan Williams from the point guard position. He was a name that was remembered from last summer and continued his progression heading into his senior year.

Houston Flight is another Texas program that strutted their stuff in the Peach State. They were led by Jackson Williams who scored 32 points in one of the more efficient performances of the day.

AOT Knocks off Team Florida

This game had all the makings of a marque match-up. Ace Bailey, the No. 2 ranked player nationally, with AOT facing off against a well-balanced Team Florida. Early it was Team Florida who held the edge. Class of 2024 forward Sammie Yearnay was imposing his will and edged his team out to a double-digit lead late in the first half.

Unfortunately for everyone, Yearnay took a nasty fall on a Bailey baseline drive and had to sit out the rest of the game. That loss was too much for Team Florida to account for and AOT squeaked out a five-point win. More than two dozen college coaches watched from floor level and from above, which included Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Denver, Drake, and many others.

Names a-Buzzin’

Class of 2024 center Stefano Alleso is a unique prospect. A euro-feel with his passing to match his 7-foot size.

It is hard pressed to find a better point guard at the event than JaMicah Adair with WACG. The 2024 point guard can dominate with his scoring, ball handling, or playmaking.

Dontrez Williams had a host of offers heading into this event. The 6-6 wing is an electric athlete who can finish above the rim or hit the 3-pointer.

Class of 2024 wing Allen Stodddard looks to be taking another step in his development this summer. Always a great athlete, he seems to be putting together his scoring ability.

VWBA earned a solid win over the GA Canes in the evening session. Class of 2025 wing Corbin Allen is a name to highlight from this roster. He reported an Oklahoma State offer earlier this spring. He showed why with his all-around game today.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.


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