Midwest vs South Elite Showdown: 2028 Standout Performers

Devontae Cobb January 6, 2021 @ 11:45 AM

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Lewisville, Tx — The Midwest vs South Elite Showdown was a national 3rd-grade through 8th-grade tournament put together by Coach Josh Woodson and the F.O.E. family, with a grand prize of $500 to the first place winners. Teams came to play in Lewisville and Carrolton from all over the South and Midwest, Memphis, Houston, Indiana, Oklahoma, you name it. It was a joy to see how skilled, talented, and competitive these young players were. The tournament was filled with talent from top to bottom but here are just a few of the 5th-graders that stood out and caught my eye.

Kaison Sutton | Carrolton, Tx | Class of 2028

This Hunt United forward is a long-lengthy kid that proved to be dangerous in the high and low post, scoring the bulk of his team’s points by catching and shooting from the paint area. Sutton was efficient down low, finishing under the basket, in traffic, and through contact. If he didn’t make his shot he was either fouled or following his shot and going right back up with it. Kaison was one of, if not the most active player on the boards, displaying impressive hands and uses of his length. This allowed him to pull down rebounds like it was nothing to it. Sutton had a way of getting into a good position, in front of a man anytime the ball went into the air. Kaison Sutton was the x-factor for his squad, his presence on both ends could not go unnoticed.

Marcellus Luster | Frisco, Tx | Class of 2028

Marcellus Luster had a major impact in each game with and without the ball, doing an amazing job of starting the fast break and pushing the pace on the offensive end, and consistently being one of the first players back on defense on the other end. Luster handled the ball well, one of the best in his division. The 2028 F.O.E. guard excelled when pushing the ball up the court where he was able to see everything, giving him the options of taking it all the way to the rack or finding a man to kick it out too. Good shot creator, has a nice handle, a fast first step, and the blow-by speed to get to the rack at will. If you allow Luster to get a clean shot off at the basket he will make you pay one way or another. Once Marcellus was in the lane he often finished with a nice soft floater, other times he made some really difficult shots in crowded areas and through fouls. As the primary ball-handler, this young man did an outstanding job of keeping his head high at all times when dribbling despite the pressure put on him. Marcellus also understood how to dictate the offense, attack the basket, and keep his teammates involved. A lot of skill and potential in this young baller.

Taylor Kirk | Melissa, Tx | Class of 2028

Taylor Kirk proved to be a smart player that understands the game on both ends of the floor. He seemed like an extension of the coach on the court. Kirk was a very aware and verbal player, showing good communication by calling things out when he saw them. Taylor was at his best when driving through the lane, he protected the ball going in and got to the basket after putting his body into the defender before going up with his shot. Taylor Kirk displayed solid fundamentals, he was careful with the ball, making proper passes, and all-around good decisions.

Dylan Steffe | Frisco, Tx | Class of 2028

This young man here has a cerebral game, high basketball IQ, good skills, and a feel for the game that is well beyond his years. Dylan Steffe did a little bit of everything. An impressive assist man who moved the ball around very well, making precise passes, often putting the ball right on target. Low turnover-rate as well, he consistently made the correct choice with the ball whether it was a shot or a pass. Dylan is the type of player that’ll give up a good shot for a great shot. A very good ball-handler and effective shooter off the dribble as well, he displayed great control and has a dribble that can get him open and get him to any spot on the court. Dylan already has great intangibles at his level, you’ll never catch him just standing around or spectating, he’s always looking for a way to be effective. Steffe was the only 5th-grader I saw setting off-ball screens unprompted, even when he didn’t score or have the ball he still was a major key to the team’s success. It’s clear that Dylan Steffe has been around the game for a long time, he made a lot of things happen off of instincts alone, this kid did some stuff most players at his age don’t know of or even think of.

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