Knoxville, TN – Old Rocky top was filled with talented hoopers Easter weekend as the KnoxVegas Heat Invitational VII kicked off Friday.
Hoopdreams (KY) won the 17 and under title by default after Team Thad conceded the title game due to travel accommodations and coaching decision.
Hoopdreams went 4-1 during the holiday weekend and was set to have a rematch against Team Thad on Easter Sunday.
Team Thad went 5-0 in the event and defeated Hoopdreams Saturday afternoon 68-41 in a prime time matchup.The battle showcased 12 Division one recruits and 5 top 100 players in the country.
Hoopdreams wanted a chance to redeem themselves after the lopsided affair but wouldn’t get it. Instead the team was awarded the trophy and named the 2015 KnoxVegas Heat Invitational VII Champions.
The top two players in Kentucky’s 2016 class were present. Quentin Goodin (#62 in nation, #1 KY Class 2016) and Eli Wright(#110 nation, #2 KY Class 2016)held down the backcourt for the HoopDreams with a front line that included the #72 player in the nation,(top 5 KY Class 2016) Aric Holman.
Goodin has a slew of division 1 schools vying for his talents in 2016. Goodin is great off the bounce, can finish well at the rack, has range, gets to the line often, has nice court awareness and vision along with a high basketball IQ.
Holman is a 6’9 forward and his strengths are great footwork, length, athleticism, nice mid range jumper, and can jump out the gym. On defense Holman is a great shot blocker and terrorizes opponents in the paint. If Holman doesn’t get the block he’s altering shots.
Aric has division one offers that include Louisville and Cincinnati but is attending prep school in 2016 to not only work on his game but to give his body a chance to fill out his 6’9″ frame.
Eli Wright is suffering from a knee injury and will take some time off to heal. Wright is a great scorer, shooter, high riser, and a knack to know where to be on both ends of the hardwood.
Boyle County’s high-flying Colton Elkins along with Holman and Justin Miller round out HoopDreams frontcourt. At 6’6″ Elkins, a warrior in the paint, bangs down low,attacks the rim with force, and cleans the boards. Elkins helped lead the Rebels to the state semifinals and had the dunk of the tournament against #1 Ballard
Will Hager, another top player in Kentucky’s 2016 class gives Hoopdreams a great shooter that spreads the floor, opening lanes for Goodin and others to attack the rack.
Hager’s shooting ability helps his slag and drive game. Opponents can’t park on the arc or he will drive past them. Deceptively quick and when in the paint he finds an open teammate, finishes, or gets to the line.
Big man Justin Miller did not make the trip due to a groin injury. Miller, a 6’7″ 250 pound southpaw, and KHSAA Sweet 16 MVP. Miller is a space eater grabbing boards and finisher in the paint. Miller has great footwork and vision for a big, HoopDreams will definitely be happy to have Miller back alongside his high school teammate and state champion, Holman.
Hoopdreams 17 and Under are competing in Dallas this weekend in the Adidas Uprising tournament. They will be traveling all summer.
Great group of kids and a top-notch program.
Many division 1 coaches, scouts, and recruiters will be on hand this weekend to watch Hoopdreams and other Adidas sponsored programs.
The rest of the HoopDreams program is playing in Indy this weekend.
On the site we have the full HoopDreams versus Thad (TN) game, HoopDreams warmup dunks, and some other AAU games from Knoxville.
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