The Summer Jam of 2019 was buzzing with some hot play from a number of 2020 and 2021 prospects with teams coming in from the Midwest and trying to cap off their summer seasons. Jaylin Gibson (All-In) and Daquon Lewis (Dubuque Intensity) had a great battle going back and forth Friday night. That, along with good shooting and other plays that lit it up finished off Day 2 on a high note and gave their teams a chance going into Saturday. Below is a recap of Friday evening’s top performers and a number of players who played well enough to draw some attention moving forward.
TOP PERFORMERS
CADEN BIEKER – 2020 – G – TEAM JONES WI
Bieker was great from the perimeter Friday night and really helped his team with his toughness and effort. He was aggressive going to the basket and got himself to the free throw line often, converting 6 tries and also finished some shots. Including his 3 three-pointers made, Bieker tallied 19 points in the effort.
BEN EMIER – 2020 – PF – TEAM JONES WI
Emier also showed out well on Friday night with a gritty effort to match his teammates. He was active on the glass and aggressive with the ball in his hands, finishing off a lot of plays around the hoop? But also showing his ability to shoot some with a three. He finished the tight contest with 19 points.
TYRESE ENGLAND – 2020 – G – WI UNITED
England had a nice shooting game for United in their win Friday evening. He had a pull up jumper he made look smooth and easy on the follow through. England drained a three off the catch and pull and later had a really clean looking spin and finish in transition.
TERRELL FOWLER – 2021 – PG – DUBUQUE INTENSITY
Fowler had a big second half for his squad in helping them to a solid playoff win Friday night. He really got it going in the second half and made plays both off the catch and off the dribble. Fowler was excellent from three-point range and made a couple nice moves to the hoop late also for scores. He had 4 three’s in the second half and finished with 18 points.
JAYLIN GIBSON – 2021 – G – ALL IN
Gibson went off for All-In a tough loss Friday evening. The 2021 prospect who has a lot of attention from Division I schools showed just why with his athletic play and blended ability to score inside and outside. He was dangerous on the break with a couple powerful throw-downs, and otherwise was finishing with lay-ins past defenders or knocking down triples (4). Gibson finished with 30 points.
ROBERT “RJ" HOLMES – 2020 – F – ALL IN FIGUEROA
Holmes was excellent going to the basket for All-In in a hard fought Friday evening contest. He finished well off the dribble, penetrating the lane lines and finishing around the cup. Holmes also was strong rebounding the ball and got a few extra chance scores, all good for the 18 points in the game.
TAYLOR KLINE – 2020 – G – COLORADO PREMIER DUCKETT
Kline was on fire from three to get the game starting off on target Friday night. He drilled 4 three-pointers in the opening period and really put the pressure on the opponent to find him at all times defensively. In the second half he added another three made (5 total) and finished on 4 free throws, good for a 19-point effort in the win.
DAQUON LEWIS – 2020 – SF – DUBUQUE INTENSITY
Lewis showed great athleticism and a nice feel for the overall game in his play Friday. He was explosive attacking the hoop, showed great footwork and body control attacking the rim from the baselines and was active offensively rebounding. He was also really good defending on the ball and had a nice pick-pocket steal he turned into a poster dunk going the other way. Lewis led the way for his squad with 23 points in victory.
GABE MASON – 2020 – SG – ILLINOIS IRISH STARS
Mason played a great game for the Stars in leading his team and scoring the basketball in a variety of ways. He was able to get to the cup and finish s couple times and then spread out his perimeter production hitting a couple three's in both halves (4 total) and ended the game with a team-high 20 points.
SPENCER REED – 2021 – SF – AUSA HOOPS CEDRIC
Reed played a really strong game for AUSA HC. He fought for buckets inside going through contact on several occasions. He finished by attacking the hoop and showing good touch with his shot, and also converted on some free throw opportunities to lead his team with 20 points.
STOCK BOOSTERS
EMEKA AJAERE – 2020 – SF – ALL IN FIGUEROA
Ajaere was a steady contributor for his team Friday evening and played better and better as the game progressed. He scored off the bounce and hit a couple shots, and he was tough when rebounding the ball on offense and defense.
CASEY CLARK – 2020 – G – ALL IN
Clark played well in a couple games for All-In. He was always around the ball defensively and then turned fast break opportunities into points often. Though a bit of a volume scorer, he did well to find shots and knocked down plenty, putting up good point totals in the different games.
DEONTE HOWARD – 2021 – SG – DUBUQUE INTENSITY
Howard played well for Intensity and really played his role well. He was very active defensively and provided a lot of energy for his team. On offense he hit a couple nice shots and had a couple lay-ins slashing to the hoop.
TANA KOPA – 2020 – SF – AUSA HOOPS CEDRIC
Kopa put together a really nice and versatile game for his team to help them in different ways. He was solid defensively, and on offense he scored with his jump shot and with his play going to the hoop. Kopa knocked down a pair of three’s in the game and finished with 14 points.
JAYLEN MULLINS – 2020 – SG – MIDWEST WILDCATS
Mullins had a hot hand shooting the ball in helping his team build a lead in their Friday night game. The talented shooter showed good release and found his shot opportunities, drilling several three's in the contest and leading his team scoring-wise.
COLIN O'ROURKE – 2020 – SF – BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL
O'Rourke did a lot of his damage late in the game, scoring 9 points in the final 8 minutes to help his team cement a win. He drained 2 three’s in the game showing his range for his size, and did a nice job finishing around the basket both attacking it and getting a put-back from under the hoop.
PEYTON ROMAN – 2020 – G – ILLINOIS IRISH STARS
Roman did a really nice job of affecting the game with his energy, his passing and his scoring. He played tough on both ends, found his teammates for some scores with nice passing vision and was able to drain some big shots for his team. Roman drilled 3 treys and finished the game with 16 points.
NATHAN SHOCKEY – 2020 – G – BREAKAWAY BASKETBALL
Shockey played well for Breakaway Friday night and helped his team come away with a victory. He moved the ball well, pushed it up the floor and was really good finishing with lay-ups and shorter shots, completing the game with 13 points.