Coaches Comments
Tourney Reviews
Also on this page: May Day & Easter Tourney Reviews | S P A C E R |
Aaron had a difficult task this weekend by guarding #23 for the PHX Rebels. When we went into the Box & 1 defense in the championship game, Aaron held #23 under his tournament average. Aaron also had a couple of dazzling drives to basket during the weekend. His aggressiveness and tenacity made him a strong defender and his open court prowess put teams "pulling their hair out". Aaron is expanding his game on a daily basis to be ready for his upcoming high school debut. | S P A C E R |
Michael aka "BarryJuice" didn't disappoint the team by making it to the first game and scoring the 1st points of the game with a three pointer. Because he was unsure if he could play in the tournament because his family was in the process of moving. But, did we ever need Michael as we did this past weekend. We saw a lot of emotion and grit from him,during a moment in one of the games, he gave a enthusiastic "fist pump" in the air after a rallying stopping 3pointer, that gave notice he will be a force to reckon with for the weekend. Michael also had clutch rebounds and like always sealed the game with free throws at the end of the championship game. | S P A C E R |
Mickey at times was a little erratic but when he settled down he was unstoppable down low in the post and he was "Rodman-Like" on the rebounds this weekend. No other big man in the tournament was better. Mickey is also expanding his dribble drive moves to the basket because of his cat-like quickness. Mickey in the future will be an athletic wing player that can finish at the rim against anybody. Displayed his soft-touch jump shot when it was needed this past weekend. | S P A C E R |
Daniel showed everybody that his special skill is shooting the ball. Whenever Daniel had a open look, whether it from the 3 point line or in the line, Daniel was a player. His contributions and role has expanded to the U-15 level over the weekend. In which Coach Phipps, played him in the upper division and he showed signs of progression into a "Big Game Shooter". | S P A C E R |
After being away from the team because of prior obligations, Alex displayed his versatile skills on the boards, with his passing, dribbling and most of all shooting. Alex managed to get a little physical toward the end of the tournament. But, like always kept his "Cool". Alex will be called upon more in the future and we all know he'll be ready for the challenge. | S P A C E R |
Now, Kyle had a stand out performance, in his efforts with Aaron in stopping #23 from the Phx Rebels. He had numerous steals and deflections all weekend and had a play in which his hand was above the rim on a block shot, that Kyle had to grab to rim to shield his fall. His effort was excellent and potential is yet to be reached. | S P A C E R |
Oscar is coming around into a very good player because of his heart and athletic ability. His outside touch over the weekend was in timely fashion, as he gave relief for "BarryJuice" when he was in effective and provided that extra gear in the game. One memorable moment was on a steal in the Championship game on a fastbreak from the left side of basket, got foul and made the basket in the process. But his momentum made him run up the right side of the court bleachers, which made an exciting and entertaining play. | S P A C E R |
Robert was the most improved player over the weekend. Robert has develop the passion to become a solid defender on the perimeter or in the paint. His shot-blocking ability is a strength for him, as he is already dunking a volleyball. But, a basketball should be next month, ha!ha! But, Robert made jaw-dropping blocks and soaring rebounds that gave Mickey a "run for his money". Robert was focused this past weekend and will be called upon for a bigger role on the team. | S P A C E R |
Djzaun is still learning in a fast way on how to be an effective player on both ends of the floor. Nobody was on the ground more than Djzaun, as he was after loose balls and rebounds. His mid range jumper, may be the best in the business and don't mess with him when he is on the court because he displayed the toughness only matched with likes of Mean Joe Greene or Ray Lewis. | S P A C E R |
Bryant has been the utility guy, because he can play all 5 positions at the U-15 level. He was able to fill in spots on the floor where defense and rebounding was needed. His outside shooting needs improvement , in which once he has the outside touch, his abilities on the floor will be unique. Bryant has establshed himself as a better free throw shooter, so his work ethic is there. | S P A C E R |
Easter Tourney in LV, Nevada: Coaches Comments
4/9 -4/11 2009
Isaiah Lopez - The "Mexican Steve Nash" one Los Angeles referee referred to him during the come from behind win in the championship game against the Inglewood Gym Rats. He showed toughness during the weekend at crucial times in games and like always displayed a series of highlight - reel passes, jump-shots, dribbles but most of all WINS!!!
Aaron Hall - Slow start, but came on strong like a Tornado. As he showed why he can't be stopped in the open court. But, his Defense was his staple of the weekend. 7 steals against the Inglewood Gym Rats and during the "Poly Nation" game, Aaron hit 4 free throws in the closing seconds to stop their 26 point come charge for the Fastbreakers win.
Michael Barry - Once again "BarryJuice" gave defenders too much to drink. As, in one game against UTAH SELECT, he nailed six 3's in a row and had one of the best acrobat shots of the weekend during the semifinals of the U-15 division. One of the purest shooters in the tournament, has been working on other skill sets to become un-guardable.
Mickey Blankenship - Mickey is beginning to "Get It" as he plays better every game but in every aspect of the game he is getting better. He had a "Coast 2 Coast" play in one game as he rebounded the ball and crossover dribbled past 3 defenders en route for a basket. He had 10 points but 19 monster rebounds in the final game.The 3ball is next in the future.
Ben Trujillio- Still a young player, had good minutes against " Team Warriors" from the Bahamas. Played tough throughout with his aggressiveness and tenacity, those traits will always keep him on the right path to success. He had great interior passing to other players and ran the floor well. Never quits on the floor and goes full speed all the time.
Daniel Prasek- Mr. Prasek has been waiting for his chance to show everybody that he belongs on the national spotlight. And, during the U-14 semifinals he poured in 17 points with 4 of 5 from the 3point range, helping the Fastbreakers into Finals. He provided that extra punch during the weekend that kept the excitement going as well as earning the title of one of the "En Fuego Players" during the tournament.
Alex Solarez- He is probably responsible for taking one of the biggest 3 point shots of the tournament. Putting the Fastbreakers up by three with 40 seconds remaining in the U-14 Championship game but also hustle back down the court to block the shot of a speedy Inglewood Gym Rat player. He has games when he can beast players in the blocks or rain jumpers from beyond the 3 point arc.
Bryant Rushing- Mr. Versatility has been very durable because of the many positions he played during the tournament. Guard, forward & center because of this Bryant is probably one of the smartest players on the floor. His extended play on the floor kept him as the glue to keep things together but had leg issues toward the end but showed toughness when returned in the final minutes of the Championship game.
Djzaun Cotton- His big game came against the team from Los Angeles "High Impact" in which he scored the first six points and helping to improve the score for us to 97 points in that contest. He has the sweetest mid-range shot as a big man but has skills to bring the ball up the court. Once he finds the balance in his game, watch out!
Kyle Woolard-Hilton - Officially became a Fastbreaker by winning a Championship in the U-14 division and during the process developed a potent three point shot. Kyle hit the other big 3 point shot during the U-14 Championship game to tie the score. His rebounding, passing and now a deep 3 point threat makes his potential as a player very high.
Robert Manuel - Probably the most athletic player on the team but seems to be going through a growing process. Had a play in the game the first day when his forearm was above the rim on a block shot against UTAH SELECT. Because he has tools in his game that can surpass any player he faces, once he puts it together on the court "watch out "!
Jordan Martin - The first couple of games nobody played better on the court than Jordan, he single handling kept us in both games. With his three-point shot, lightning quick crossover dribble and his relentless defense (He stole the ball from Every point guard in Every game). He was a player until he got hurt but still was able to do a memorable moment on the last night with a bounce back/ flip back onto the court to steal the ball after he initially dove out of bounds to knock it out.
Oscar Nunez - Maybe this was his coming out party in this tournament because he played like a champion down the stretch. Earlier in the games he was Up and Down, but when it matter he came through with a array of moves from rebounding to his pull-up jump shot he hit with perfection to lead the comeback charge. Also gave big minutes when Bryant Rushing had leg issues and had to sit on the bench, Oscar provided the defensive intensity needed to prevail in that "Barn Burner" of a Championship game.
Cody Haak - DID NOT ATTEND
Jonathan Makkar - DID NOT ATTEND
Brandon Vickers - DID NOT ATTEND
Haleem Hill - DID NOT ATTEND
Corbin Smith - DID NOT ATTEND
Paul Solarez - DID NOT ATTEND
Jacori Pride - DID NOT ATTEND
Jordan Lamar - DID NOT ATTEND
Alberto Zazueta - DID NOT ATTEND
Steven Ludlow - DID NOT ATTEND
