Midwest Basketball Review
Another great tournament at the Howard Pulley Invitational held in Maple Grove, MN this past weekend that featured alot of very talented teams from the Midwest Regions including Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota. We crowned three Champions and Runner-ups from several different programs that played extremely well and got a chance to showcase their teams on a big stage hosted by the HP Panthers.
17U
Champion - Howard Pulley
2nd Place - KC Run-GMC
Championship game was outstanding and score was tied at 57-57 until HP pulled away to victory against a highly talented KC Run GMC team that was out for revenge and it looked like they would avenge the loss two weeks ago to HP in Kansas City. KC Run was on a mission and it looked like they wouldn't be denied and brought a huge following with them to support and cheer them along the way. They led at halftime and maintained a lead until 3:30 left in the second half when HP got a 6 point run and hang on to win. Thanks again to CEO Kings, PowerHouse, MBA, MN Select, Phenom, Omaha Elite, Illinois D1 Elite and KC Run GMC.
All-Tournament Team
Tre Jones Howard Pulley - MVP
Jarvis Thomas - Howard Pulley - MVP
Daniel Oturo - Howard Pulley
Gabe Kalscheur- Howard Pulley
Tyrese Davis - KC Run GMC
Joe Pleasant - KC Run GMC
16U
Champion - Howard Pulley
2nd Place - KC Keys
The Championship game was alot different than the Pool game that was played early Saturday morning when the KC Keys overcame a 20+ deficit to beat the Panthers and cruise to be the number one seed in the playoffs. HP had to come through the back door to compete in the Championship game but that's what they did in great fashion to defeat the KC Keys by 20+ points but hold on to it this time to claim the title of Champion. There was some very good teams that competed and gave their all to help make this a quality event so thanks to TNL, All Iowa Attack, PowerHouse, Phenom, School Boys, MBA, D1 Illinois Express, MN Magic and last but not least KC Run-GMC who played their 15 team up in this tournament.
All-Tournament Team
Blaise Beauchamp - Howard Pulley - MVP
Bennett Otto - Howard Pulley
Jordan Polynice - Howard Pulley
Omar Brown - Howard Pulley
Brady Johnson - KC Keys
Ahmad Louis - KC Keys
15U
Champion - All Iowa Attack
2nd Place - Get Shook
Championship game was not as close or exciting as the two games Get Shook played against HP which Get Shook in last second fashion and on the edge of your seat action. Get Shook was behind by 2 points in Pool play vs HP and with .06 seconds left they inbounded the ball and won on a half-court shot that shocked the Panthers but elated the GS fans which propelled them to a title run. The semis had the same excitement GS down by 2 with 13 seconds left and shot a three (3) with 2.9 seconds left and got fouled. Juwan went to the line and knocked down 3 free throws to win the game. GS played so hard in the tournament and desired to play for the money cause they never quit and never believed that they couldn't win.
All Iowa Attack was not having any part of dealing with what HP went through and was in charge from start to finish in grand fashion winning the Championship game against GS. Great team make great events and I want to thank PowerHouse, KC Keys, All Iowa Attack, Soldier Elite, Omaha Elite, PowerGroup D5 Elite, MBA and Team Tyus-14 who knocked out HP-Wade and HP-Maxey out of the playoffs to eventually lose to the Champions All Iowa Attack.
All-Tournament Team
Braxton Bayless - All Iowa Attack - MVP
Micah Johnson - All Iowa Attack
Cody McCullough - All Iowa Attack
Juwan Grant - Get Shook
Cordan Gurley - Get Shook