KINGS CUP U19 DIVISION
KINGS CUP U19 DIVISION
Trio Sportsplex (601 Cityview Blvd) SATURDAY FEB 26 2022
Game Recaps
Game #5 RICC Atlantic Prep (blue) VS RWI Kings Menelik (white)
The Final Score: RICC Atlantic Prep 38 RWI Kings Menelik 62
Top Performers:
RWI Kings #8 Sebastian Di Manno
RICC Atlantic Prep: #9 Frank Niankan
Recap
After a close first half, the RWI Kings came out with patience moving the ball within their offense. They focused on getting the ball to the high post and creating open 3pt shots and driving lanes. RICC Atlantic Prep responded by increasing the ball pressure and creating opportunities in transition. Athletically, Atlantic Prep did a great job playing passing lanes and running the lanes in transition; however, they struggled to finish at times. Both teams were struggling with decision-making, turning over the ball unprovoked, and other times due to great defense.
Due to consistent play by #8 Sebastian Di Manno, the RWI Kings maintained their lead throughout the second half and pushed ahead by a considerable margin. Using his patience Di Manno ran the offense well, breaking down the zone and keeping the defense honest with his shooting range. For RICC Atlantic prep #9 Frank Niankan’s play at point guard stood out with his ability to push the ball in transition. Despite his team struggling to finish at the rim he kept creating opportunities for others by using his dribble and getting into space.
Game #6 Phoenix Elite (white) vs Elevation Elite (black)
Final Score: Phoenix Elite 53 Elevation Elite 41
Top performers:
Phoenix Elite #35 Uthman Fakih
Elevation Elite #11 Matteo Fattore
Recap
Elevation Elite came out with high-energy play and a tough full-court press. Elevation Elite’s #9 Gilbert Bautista impressed with his athleticism in transition and ability to attack the rim. His speed and handle kept defenders honest, allowing him to shoot jump shots. Phoenix Elite struggled in the first half to get their offense into a rhythm. Unprovoked turnovers and Elevation Elite’s full-court press stifled their momentum. In the second half Phoenix Elite’s #35 Uthman Fakih brought a surge of energy to his team. By pushing the ball in transition, finishing at the rim, and creating opportunities for teammates he changed the game.
Seeming like he was unwilling to lose, Fakih's teammates rallied around him and used their athleticism. Phoenix Elite capitalized with on-ball pressure creating turnovers and keeping their primary offense in transition. An impressive alley-oop play was the cherry on top for Phoenix Elite. Despite Elevation Elite’s late-game rally and an impressive offensive performance from #11 Matteo Fattore, Phoenix Elite pulled off the comeback win.
Game #7 RWI Kings Menelik vs Burloak White
Final Score: RWI Kings 51 Burloak 78
Top Performers:
Burloak #1 Sam Kong
RWI Kings #13 Sina Ayerman
Recap
The RWI kings began the game with high energy, crashing the boards and pushing the ball in transition. A handful of players displayed great body control finishing tough contested layups. Burloak responded with organization on defense and consistent ball pressure. They were patiently working the ball within their offense; through drive and kick opportunities and making the extra pass. In the first half RWI relied heavily on their athleticism with transition offense while Burloak picked apart the King’s defense with their half-court sets.
In the second half, the King’s offense stalled and their energy dropped. Combined with their absence on the boards Burloak took advantage by shooting threes and displaying discipline on offense going on a big run. Burloak’s #1 Sam Kong heated up from three in the second half with back-to-back buckets increasing his team’s lead to 20 points. Towards the end of the game Kings player, JT #45 Lawerence displayed impressive athleticism with a one-handed dunk. However, Burloak’s consistency and game plan prevailed and they took this win by a considerable margin.
Game #8 YNE Raider (red) vs RICC Atlantic Prep (blue)
Final Score: YNE Raiders 58 RICC Atlantic Prep 40
Top Performers:
YNE Red Raiders #4 Serhat Chen
RICC Atlantic Prep #9 Frank Niankan
Recap
Immediately the Raiders displayed athleticism, with #13 finishing above the rim in transition. They took an early double-digit lead in the first half moving the ball well, finding the open players, and hitting shots. RICC Atlantic responded by pressuring the ball and speeding up the Raider’s half-court offense causing turnovers. RICC Atlantic’s #9 Frank Niankan capitalized on one of these turnovers with an and-one finish. With this momentum RICC Atlantic attempted to go on a run, however, the Raiders remained steady and finished the half with a 32-18 lead. In the second half, the Raider’s defense took its toll on Atlantic Prep. After a series of failed possessions, a bright spot for RICC’s offense was the back-to-back threes by #13 Steve C. With a 14 point lead late in the second half, the Raiders were playing with a sense of confidence and steadiness. Taking their time to find an open shot by forcing long closeouts, Raider’s #4 Serhat Chen capitalized on long closeouts by attacking off the dribble to finish or creating opportunities for his teammates. A heated game towards the end with an exchange of technical fouls between the two teams. RICC displayed competitiveness despite the score finishing the game with defensive intensity and effort.
Game #9 Kazoku (yellow) vs Phoenix Elite
Final Score: Phoenix Elite 68 Kazoku 63
Top Performers:
Phoenix Elite #35 Uthman Fakih
Kazoku #1 Max Voorpool
Recap
The first half of this game felt like a chess match; it was clear these two teams were gauging each other's strengths. Phoenix Elite’s #35 Uthman Fakih started the game with pace, scoring quickly in transition. While Kazoku’s #1 Max Voorpool hit a set of early threes to set the tone. Kazoku made a point to push the ball in transition. Phoenix Elite responded with a full-court press to slow their offense down. Still, Phoenix struggled their opponents down in transition and displayed some mental lapses with ball screen defense. An early timeout by Phoenix Elite in the first half saw them down by 2. Phoenix moved to a zone defense, aiming to combat Kazoku’s efficient transition game; and ability to find open players on the three point line. Phoenix Elite’s #35 Uthman Fakih remained active by finding open teammates and hitting open threes. Going into halftime the score was 23-24 in favor of Phoenix Elite.
Starting the second half Kazoku’s #1Max Voorpool hit another three and his team took the lead. However, Phoenix Elite’s #35 Uthman Fakih continued to lead the charge, playing passing lanes for wide-open layups and getting to the free-throw line. The momentum continued in Phoenix’s favor with a big dunk by #45 JT Lawerence and the game seemed to be decided with a 10 point lead.However later in the second half, a foul plus the basket accompanied with a big rebound shifted the momentum in Kazoku’s favor. Now a five-point game became even more interesting when Kazoku’s #1 Max Voorpool was fouled on the three-point line. Forced shots stunted the Kazoku offense and Phoenix Elite continued to score on second-chance opportunities. Despite a late-game rally by Kazoku that included a powerful dunk and stifling ball pressure, they didn't have enough time to complete the comeback. One of the more entertaining games of the day had a suitable finish.
Game # 10 Southern Ontario Spartans (white) vs Elevation Elite (Black)
Final Score: Southern Ontario Spartans 23 Elevation Elite 63
Top Performers:
#41 Atsa Ortabaev Elevation Elite
Southern Ontario Spartans #6 Keegan Dansu
Recap
Southern Ontario scored first with a floater from #3 Karl Forbes. Elevation Elite responded with a full-court press which led to turnovers and quick scores. After a timeout, Southern Ontario came out with composure, broke the press, and scored in transition with an easy layup. Dropping back into a 2-3 zone, Southern Ontario was aiming to slow down Elevation’s offensive rhythm. Elevation Elite followed suit and went into a 1-3-1 zone with both teams seemingly wanting to clog the paint and force long contested shots. With a slower-paced game, both teams had to focus on decision-making and zone offense to gain the upper hand. #6 Keegan Dansu of Southern Ontario pursued the boards relentlessly and athletically finished around the rim. Sloppy turnovers in the half-court allowed Elevation Elite to score in transition and extend their lead. Elevation Elite #9 Gilbert Bautista interrupted passing lanes, shot threes, got to the rim, and displayed notable athleticism contesting shots. Towards the end of the half, Elevation Elite’s defense began to increase the pressure on Southern Ontario with a halftime score of 40-16. In the second half Elevation Elite extended their lead, Southern Ontario found ways to score against their zone but struggled to keep the game close as time ran out.
