7th Grade MSE USA Team Capture King James Classic

The Legend Continues

Middle School Elite Exposure USA Team How many players at the Middle School age group knew that this past weekend was an open period for college coaches to attend spring AAU games? In a small space of 48 hours coaches from around the country had a chance to feast their eyes on as many high quality events and players as possible. Colleges and Universities will not have this privilege again until July. With that knowledge, what middle school team in America would be able to even interest a scout or recruiter – well it is amazing that as of Tuesday morning April 29, 2014 MSE USA Team is the answer.

The MSE National Select squad of 2019 put together to compete in the King James Classic in Akron, Ohio has opened eyes across the country. “I am just as surprised as anyone to check my email and phone messages Monday morning and find inquiries from College coaches” said National Select Head Coach Bill Francis; “I knew they (college’s) were there; but I assumed that it was exclusively for the older boys…I’m really happy and excited to know National Select has a following and even more excited to know that this group of kids are on the collegiate radar and now will have an opportunity to have their education paid for in the future. The old adage of “you never know whose watching” must be true and applicable to me in this situation as well” Francis joked.

In the tournaments toughest pool which produced the gold and silver champion, National Select had a solid performance, first tangling with the #3 team in the country All-Ohio Red which featured top players Jeremiah Francis and Jordan Mitchell and then winning a game against VAC Air Attack 62-56 and then advanced to bracket play. All National Select did in bracket play was proceed to systematically dismantle each opponent placed in front of them to go undefeated in their bracket and claim the title. Saturday night started their journey out of pool; and pitted National Select against the Prospectors (MI); this being their 3rd game together without any practice is where things really started to click – and just in time from there on out it was a “win or go home”, “survive and advance” situation. Taking the game very seriously National Select jumped out early and never looked back winning 60-35. On Championship Sunday it was more of the same as National Select met up with Ohio’s DOBO Nation – big and physical DOBO Nation looked to match up man to man and challenge the National Select team man to man; MSE took full advantage and attacked force with force, getting in the transition lanes for dunks and lay-ins and played stifling defense winning going away 59-37 – the win took the team to the final four.

The Final 4 matched up National Select against the Michigan NIKE program The Family out of Detroit; a program that has produced some top talent for years out of the Michigan area – most recently James Young (Kentucky) and Roy Marble (Iowa). In this game National Select got off to a great start opening with a 11-0 run and led half way through the first half 23 to 4. The Family continued to fight, closing out the half with a run of their own to go in down 39-27.

Shamar Morrow Class of 2020 OH,CAIn the second half The Family continued to chip away at the lead and closed the deficit to 6 points 61-55 with 6 minutes to go – after trading 3-pointers the team from Michigan made a final run with a barrage of 3’s cutting the lead to 1-point 71-70 and took the lead twice 72-71 and 78-77 on a three from the top of the key with 8 seconds left in the game. National Select advanced the ball to half court and called a time out with 6 seconds left in the game. Off a designed play, the poised National Select squad worked the ball from the strong side to the weak side and went up for the game winning shot, but was fouled with 2 seconds left.  Shemar Morrow (OH – 2020) stepped to the line and calmly hit two free throws and the defense held steady causing a turnover on the in-bounds play, then running out the clock. National Select went into the Championship with confidence and wasn’t challenged at any point coasting to a 50-29 win and the title.

The weekend storylineswere numerous and the talent was rich on this 2019 Team. Here are some realizations from this weekend’s events.

Terrance Williams (DC) is a game changer from the PF position. For my money, the Washington DC native should be atop the rankings for the class of 2019 for post players. You can argue Juwan Gary or Wendell Moore as more talented or athletic, but when talking potential vs production, Williams’s production is at the same level as the top “sexy” players in the class right now. Able to find his spots he’s an absolute matchup nightmare for true centers and strong enough to compete with any 4. Williams can knock down the 12 to 15 footers if you can get him off the block and scores and passes well from the high post; his standing nationally is cemented as a top PF in the class.

Tyler BrelsfordTyler Brelsford (MD) is one of the best pure PG’s in the 2019 Class. There is a plethora of scoring wings in the 2019 class and arguably even a few pros – with the popularity of the scoring guard, the ability to run a team AND provide court spacing, shooting, penetration, passing, leadership, and ball handling efficiency ( ie. assist to turnover ratio ) are often lost. Well it was found this weekend in Ohio, and proved that Brelsford when placed in the right scheme, the right cast, and given the opportunity can be considered one of best pure PG in the country in his class. But don’t get it twisted he proved that he can score averaging 12-points, 6-assists, and connecting on 14 of 27 three pointers, shooting over 50% from behind the stripe.

Shemar Morrow (CA) is the real deal in 2020 and maybe 2019! When Morrow is on, there are no players more dangerous offensively in the class of 2020. And he showed he has the capability to do it at the 2019 level this weekend. Through six games, the Oakland Soldier dunked, hit three’s, handled the ball, rebounded at a remarkable clip – grabbing rebounds literally off the rim. In the game vs The Family he led the team with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Morrow has range on his jumper and is also adept at pulling up off the dribble and burying a shot. His quickness, penetration, and ball handling after adapting to the 7th grade speed all translated to this level, he is one of the most creative and best finishers from the wing in any class.

Che Evans Middle School EliteChe Evans (MD) is going to skyrocket up the rankings. One of the best kept secrets of 2019, the 6-foot-4 Evans was ranked just outside the top 50 on the National Rankings. He hasn’t played a lot on the national stage; well, we can say for sure that he is going to move into everyone top 30 very shortly – the only question is how high will he go? In watching him he has the physical tools to be a top 10 prospect. Evans displayed the ability to do everything offensively, knocking down perimeter shots and finishing at the rim, while running the floor like a gazelle; he can legitimately guard all 5 positions, is a bona-fide shot blocker and handles well enough to run a point forward set up. Kids like this are scary good and the realization personally of his own great ability and ceiling will make this player next level without a doubt.

Gerard Mungo (MD) is much more than a scorer. It always happens: players that build up a little buzz as a scorer get labeled – but scorers are a dime dozen at the guard position. Mungo without a doubt is a dangerous two guard who can penetrate and get to the cup without a question; his jumper is progressing rather nicely and he produces like a seasoned vet as a scorer showing a penchant for getting to the line. What we did see that no one has paid attention to was his ability to operate as a combo and play the lead guard position. Not only can he play it he does it with efficiency; taking great care of the rock and showing exceptional court vision. He is tough as nails and relishes the opportunity to guard the team’s top player and stop them. This is the type of kid coach’s love to coach and a teammate that other players love to play with.

Tyrese Jenkins (VA) is one of the best kept secrets in 2019. At 6’5 Jenkins gushes versatility – he shows a soft touch, quick release, and rebounds his position.  Boasting great length he isn’t just back to the basket he can face up, guard in space, and passes very well.  With great length he also has a quickly improving handle. At maximum he converts to the wing were he would dominate match ups by posting smaller wings and out “quicking” bigger ones – minimum he becomes an immensely effective stretch-4 were his tools and skill set package won’t be able to be contained.

Devin Hightower (OH) is a star in his own right. Often paired with Morrow, Hightower did his own thing at this event running both the lead guard position and the 2-guard position a year up as he is a 2020 class member. The release on the jumper is quick, the vision is there, and he is bull-strong physically making him a great defender and a PG that won’t be knocked off his spot. If put in a primary scoring position in his class he would excel and should be seen in this type of situation to truly appreciate his effectiveness; nevertheless he was a solid contributor with a group of the top 2019’s in the country meaning clearly he has the tools and skills to pay the bill.

Jordan Beckett (MD) new kid on the block. Beckett is a member of the MSE watch list and didn’t do anything to get himself removed, a very solid contributor the entire weekend he has some very nice physical tools and plays with a high motor; buys into defense and loves to play both ends. Effective from the high post and in the paint he finished strong on his drives, he guarded well especially on the ball and was solid on the glass.

Ketaan “Keewee” Wyatt (OH) has the heart of Lion. You can find Wyatt everywhere nowadays getting as much bump in as humanly possible, this time playing up in 2019. As skilled as any PG with the ball in his hands – his size in this age group made it challenging in the paint, but outside the paint he used his high IQ, locked himself in on his jump shot and found his spots to score and pass allowing him to contribute. A top 2020 PG, once he become physically bigger he can shine on his level even brighter and the level above without question.

There is no greater opportunity for top players in the country than National  Select. With a roster and collection of talent in every age group made up of the top players from across the nation – this program exudes and provides chances available nowhere else in the country. The chance to compete with the very best, against the very best, all on your off weekend from your AAU Club contact Coach Francis at 1.800-338-4629 or [email protected] to discuss available roster spots and opportunities.

2014 MSE NAT'l SELECT TEAM

See MSE USA Team at New York City at the PAT Invitational (with 4th and 5th grade, classes 2022 & 2021) and a new 2019 Group featuring 6’6″ C Tristan Miller (NC) & 6’7″ PF Brian “BJ” Mack (NC) May 10th & 11th at the Big Shots North Carolina event.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Filed Under: MSE Players

Tags:

RSSComments (1)

Leave a Reply | Trackback URL

  1. Matthew says:

    MSE SELECT

Leave a Reply