OTR Hoops: Battleground Finals MVP’s – April 30, 2024

These young hoopers left it all out there on the floor and put their teams on their backs to help capture the Spring Battleground Championship.

By: Bilal Benjamin

Casen Dowd | Team United | 10U MVP (Pictured Above)

The young bully was a mismatch nightmare all throughout the Battleground Session lll as he was able to dominate the paint area. Taking advantage of everything that was given to him inside and not complicating the game by going away from what worked best. His hustle on the boards was unmatched, his concentration to finish at around the rim payed dividends and his unselfishness was special to watch. When fouls piled up, Dowd had no problem with going to the charity stripe and making the easy ones. Dowd was very coachable and never got away from what was being asked of him.

Derrick Tatum Jr | JSmoove Celtics | 11U MVP

Tatum Jr left no doubt that he was one of the best two-way guards if not the best. Offensively, Tatum Jr showed a ton of wiggle in his ball handling to get to his spots around the basket. He relied on his attacking game first and when lanes closed up, Tatum Jr went to his mid-range game. In championship action he was very efficient from the floor and had no plans on leaving empty handed. Defensively, Tatum Jr picked up his assignment immediately after made buckets and took a ton of pride in getting defensive stops. He turned defense into easy offense all championship game long and was a huge part in his team’s success on both ends.

Josiah Dempsey | Decatur Blazers | 12U MVP

When referring to microwave scorers, Josiah Dempsey is up there with them. With his proficient shooting ability from all around the arc, Dempsey can put points up in a heartbeat. Dempsey moves well off the ball, has exceptional footwork to avoid and attack close outs, a consistent shooting motion and the confidence to continuously let the ball fly. Dempsey is no one-dimensional player as he’s also able to handle the ball to make plays as well. All in all, the shooter guard has a pretty good feel for the game, understands what’s a high and low percentage shot, and can blow games open alone.

Deuce Grayson | Team Huncho | 13U Big East MVP

Grayson is combo guard that’s off to a hot start to the AAU season. The 6th grader has been able to do so all while playing up an age group. The scoring ability that comes with Grayson’s game is purely instinctual. He has limitless range off the bounce or off the catch, he operates with a tight handle that he uses to navigate through defenses, he has a nice soft touch around the rim and is always playing with his head up and eyes open. I recently had the pleasure of watching Grayson heat up from behind the arc as he went for several threes on his way to a game high 23pts in his team’s championship victory at the Battleground Session lll.

Zach Derice | Handlelife | 13U Big 12 MVP

Derice was one of the most versatile slashers that had it going at the Battleground Session lll. Seemingly always in the right spots at the right time to snatch down rebounds, come away with steals or blocks, and to make some big-time shots when his team needed them. Derice’s ability to get his points within the flow of his team’s offense without having to force up anything or do too much make him a special player. In the open floor, Derice used his long strides to get downhill and finished athletically around the rim. Derice will without a doubt be on the tracking radar.

Peyton Easley | NME | 14U SEC MVP

Easley is another combo guard that can light it up from the outside and wastes no time getting his shots off. He gets off high quality shots that come with a very quick trigger and nice arc. He has a nice feel for moving without the basketball to create better spacing to open up driving lanes or post up mismatches. Easley is also quick with the basketball in his hands as he was able to attack close outs to create paint touches. He utilized a soft touch floater and made strong reads to kick the ball out to the open man.

Blaze Johnson | Atlanta Celtics | 14U ACC MVP

Johnson is a smooth combo guard that showed his ability to score the ball efficiently at all levels and be his team’s playmaker when needed. The lefty is very poised when the is in his hands and doesn’t allow ball pressure to speed him up. With his ability to play at his own pace, Johnson was able to exploit the pick and roll action while making good reads. When defenders went under screens, he displayed his shooting touch from the outside and when defenders decided to trail he utilized his floater or made the right pass to his teammates. Something that stood out about Johnson was not only his ability to pass the ball with both hands but his ability to finish as well.