The Best of LG5 Season 36

Early Season All-League:

Lawerence Kroeker: St. Louis Masqueraders- JR, 6-2 PG – 22.3ppg, 2.6apg, 1.6spg, 54.6%FG, 44.2%3pts

A very solid all-around star player playing the PG spot. His defense is extremely impressive posting that 1.6spg. Another year of experience will do him some good. His numbers so far don’t look impressive, but that was against extremely difficult competition, which he lead his team through to a 2-1 start.

Gerald Boylan: Oakland Redzz- SR, 6-4 SG – 24ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1spg, 58.6%FG, 50%3pts, 101 FTA

A great scorer who does everything that a team wants out of a pure scorer. His FTA really impress me coming from the SG spot, must be an extremely athletic scorer. May not have the numbers he did last year in terms of ppg because he has a good scoring freshman pg playing with him this year.

Danny Brennan: Brunswick Wolves- JR, 6-9 SF – (at PF) 21.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1spg, 23 blocks, 52.3%FG

The move to SF this year will likely do this very versatile player well. He already is showing signs of playing extremely well at SF shooting 66% and averaging over two steals a game.

Austin Soza: Grand Rapids Saboteurs- JR, 6-10 PF – 22.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 1spg, 26 blocks, 57.7% fg, 44.6% 3pts, 80% FT

So far this year Soza has lived up to his billing as one of the best front court scorers in the league, averaging nearly 29 ppg. His game is very similar to Dirk Nowitizki, a big power forward who can go inside and draw the foul, while also a very good long range shooter. Watch out for him as he is only a JR and has another incredible backcourt mate in sophomore center Leland Gritton who does everything extremely well and complements Soza very well.

Grant Allison: Bismarck Yardwork- SR, 6-10 C – 21.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.2spg, 50 blocks, 60.5%FG, 55%3pt

An absolutely brilliant post scorer, who also plays great D both in terms of blocks and steals. Does not really have the players around him to have a great team, but definitely does his best to carry his team. My early season pick for all-league player of the year.

Big Guys to Watch:

Ken Edgell: Shreveport Typhoon- SR 7-3 C – 17.2ppg, 10.8rpg, 40 blocks, 53%FG

Dennis Bailey: Cambridge Sidewinders- SR 7-1 C – 16.8ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.5 apg, 40 blocks, 54.5% fg, 89.4% FT

Gerald Freeman- Erie Knights- SR 6-11 C – 18ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 42 blocks

Moises Thomas- San Antonio Stoppers- JR 6-10 PF- 19.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.2spg, 60%FG

Allan Propes- Stamford Baltos- SR 7-1 C – 13.5ppg, 9.8rpg, 37 blocks

Alfred Silva- Vicksburg Bansheez- JR 6-11 C - 14.1ppg, 8.2rpg, 28 blocks, 53.8%FG

Best Wings:

Joel Dirksen- Bloomington Blanks- JR 6-4 SG- 24.5ppg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, 55.9%FG, 87.7%FT(86/98)

Antwann Mann- New Haven Ghost Wolves- JR 6-8 SF- 23.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 30 blocks, 52%FG, 42.2%3pts

George Gonzales- Waterloo Brahma Bulls- SR 6-6 SG – 25.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, 52.2FG%, 125FTA

Brandon Snyder- Houston Rabid Guppies- SR 6-5 SF -18.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, 52.5%FG, 43.4%3pt, 81%FT

James Valenzuela- Lincoln Pimpzillas- JR 6-7 SF- 19.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 1spg, 21 blocks, 60%FG

Daniel Carpenter- Carlsbad We Be Winners- JR 6-4 SG- 24.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5spg, 51.3%FG, 88/110 FT

Joe Padula- Charlotte Wombats-- 6-7 JR SG- 19.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 1spg, 53.9%FG, 49%3pts

Best Pure Point Guards:

Jeff Morin: Ocala Redemption- SR – 10ppg, 5.5apg, 1.3 spg, 51%3pt:

Made everybody on his team look incredible last year; all of the other starter averaged well over 12ppg. Likely to take more of the scoring load this year, which he seems capable of doing.

Dale Furham: Baton Rouge Bobbleheads- SR – 13.1ppg, 4.7apg, 1.7spg

Edward Myer: Lincoln Pimpzillas- JR - 7.2apg, 1spg, .9TO, 60%FG

Break-Out Players

Lloyd Whitworth: Abilene The Mad Cows- SO 6-9 SF – 14.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1spg, 55%FG

Looking to have a break out year at SF. No longer has two senior stud guards who took up most of the scoring last year. Already averaging 29 a game.

Todd Kyser: Dayton Fightin Ags- SR 6-2 SG – 16.5ppg, 1.8apg, 48%FG

Had to play point guard were nothing went right for him last year. As a freshman he lead the league in scoring at around 26ppg and has a career average of 22.7ppg. This year he has a great true point guard playing next to him, something he has never had and so far he is averaging over 30ppg.

Jimmie Dean: Rockford Vikings- SR 6-4 SF- 59%FG, 33/34FT

First chance to start and Rockford has to replace lots of scoring; already averaging well over 20ppg. Wendell Lyle: Riverside Fighting Okra- SO 6-6 SG- 12.2ppg, 2.1 apg, 54.2%FG, 44%3pts Only played 20 minutes a game last year, which limited his numbers and played most of those minutes out of position at PG. He's a pure SG who should produce big this year.

Donald Riddles: Ocala Redemption- SO 6-9 SF-13.3ppg, 5.4rpg, 26 blocks, 54.8%FG

A premier scorer who was held in check last year with lots of senior talent scoring alongside him. If Ocala is going to make one last hurrah run at it, Riddles will probably be doing most of the scoring, getting tons of assists from SR stud PG Jeff Morin.

The Frosh Watch Philip Dittrich: Jersey City Shockers: SG: Could easily be an all-league player as a freshman. Has the skills to be an incredible scorer, averages over 30ppg in his first three games, while also shutting down the opponents best scorer. This guy will be a four year stud.

Walter Hunt: Syracuse Minutemen- PG: The guy to fill graduated league scoring champ Kris Bush’s big shoes. Through three games he averaged 25ppg while playing PG for the Minutemen, the same he put up in HS.

Ray Nen: Savannah beavers- 6-4 SF: The Beavers are starting three freshmen and Nen stands out as the best scorer of the bunch

The Jimmy Schaefer-Phillip Herold Combo: The Abilene Mad Cows-Yikes. My goodness, over 54 ppg in HS, these two are already combining for over 35 points a game while splitting time at SG. This Duo has to terrify opposing defenses, if Abilene ever finds a way to get both these guys on the floor there won’t be enough balls for them to score.

Andres Martin: Lubbock Rimrattlers

William Stegner: New York City

The One Man Teams:

Sean Cannon: Yonkers Scarlet Knights: SR 6-9 PG -20.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 23 blocks, 59.2%FG, 53%3pts

Yonkers lost three senior starters from last year, yet still Cannon has led his team to a 3-0 start. If Yonkers somehow keeps this up and gets to the NTT, Cannon should have a statue made of him.

Sergio Price: Terre-Hautte wiseman22: SO 6-5- 18.1ppg, 2.1apg, 55.5%, 47%3pts, 86%FT

No one else to score so Sergio has to do it. So far he has carried his team to a 2-1 start while averaging 24 a game and not turning it over once

Grant Allison: Bismarck Yardwork- SR, 6-10 C – 21.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.2spg, 50 blocks, 60.5%FG, 55%3pt

Leading his team to a 3-0 start, single-handedly beat my Dayton team in preseason without anybody else around him.

Point Guard Who Can Light It Up

Sergio Price: Terre-Hautte wiseman22: SO 6-5- 18.1ppg, 2.1apg, 55.5% FG, 47%3pts, 86%FT

Allan Fisher: Jersey City Shockers: SO 6-5- 19ppg, 1.5apg/1TO, 53%FG

Some of My Favorite Players:

Raymond Lazenby: Boulder Storm- 6-7 JR PF: 20.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 56.2%FG

At 6-7 this guy is one of the best low post scorers even though he is undersized. This year he has so far just been insane putting up over 28ppg and 7rpg. In game 4, he put on one of the best performances of any one player this year, scoring 40 and grabbing 11 rebounds. Gotta love the undersized guy who can just flat out play.

Leland Gritton: Grand Rapid Saboteurs- 6-11 SO C: 10.7ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1spg, 31 blocks, 52.1%FG, 50%3pts

This guy would put up absolutely incredible numbers if he did not play along the leagues best PF in Austin Soza. As a freshman Leland filled up the stat sheet, doing everything well and efficiently. One of those guys who does everything you need for a team to win. Its going to fun to watch this guy go off as Senior without Soza. I think he’ll just light it up. I like this guy not only for the type of player he is, but also for his name; I think I’m going to make some sort of All Grit team and with his last name Im gonna have to put him on there.

Jeff Morin: Ocala Redemption- SR – 10ppg, 5.5apg, 1.3 spg, 51%3pt:

Made everybody on his team look incredible last year; all of the other starter averaged well over 12ppg. Likely to take more of the scoring load this year, which he seems capable of doing. This guy is what you talk about when you mean a true PG. The true heart soul of an aging Ocala team. I really think he gives them a shot to be title contenders and by the end of the year, even with his scoring aside he could be my All-League PG. A few incredible stats through four games: 65%FG, 3.2spg!, 7.0apg, 7/1 A/TO, 9/14 3pts... Already some outstanding totals and has lead his team to a 4-0 start to boot.

Early Season High School McDonald’s All-American Team S36

PG: Jon Price- 6-2 College Station, Texas- Jon has all the skills to perform exceptionally at the next level; right now he is carrying his HS team, scoring 26 points a game while still keeping 2/1 A/TO ratio. Look for him to turn into an incredible all-around point at the next level; although his defense isn’t exceptional, he has the athleticism to stay with and disrupt any teams opposing point guard as shown by his 1.7spg. Early Estimate: EGGFGE= +7

SG: Jeffery Harrison- 6-5 Tuscon, Arizona- Jeffery has a tattoo across his back reading “Born to Score”. That is all you really need to know about this guy, 28.8ppg in HS. If he is put on a team that lets this guy just take the rock and score it, he could set all sorts of scoring records. His excellent shooting ability plus his Tracy McGrady like athleticism makes him one of the most exciting/terrifying players to watch depending on which side you’re on. Combine all that with the fact that he pulled a 4.0 in HS means that he’ll know that if he wants to win all he has to do is call for the ball and take it the hole or just shoot a three. I hope this guy lands on a team that’ll just let him rip because he’ll be exciting to watch. I would love to hear who is after this guy. Early Estimate: EFFGEE= +7

SF: Matthew Deleon- 6-9 Canton, Ohio- Deleon is an all-around star for his 9-1 HS team. He’ll be able to do it all at the SF spot, but could easily be move to the low post with his good to excellent rebounding skills. Matthew is quite the defender as he is averaging 2 steals per a game and will be a lock down guy at the next level. His only concern is his relative lack of hands, but his all-around skills make him one of the top players in the country. Early Estimate: GEPEFE=+7/-1

PF: Sandy Adams- 6-10 Bakersfield, Unknown- Like Harrison, Adams also has a tattoo across his back, but his reads “King of the Lane”. One of the more disgusting statistics I have ever seen is his ridiculous 3.5 blocks per a game, that’s close to a 100 blocks in a season, yikes. Probably the best pure defender in this class, he’s also a good rebounder. Early Estimate: FEGEGE= maybe a little high end but still very possible +8

C: Bruce Dunn- 7-1 Toledo, Ohio- The #1 recruit in the country, this guy is probably also one of the best all-around players in the country. He dominates every aspect of the Center position posting great statistics in every category. He’ll be an incredible team player and immediately makes whoever gets this guy a likely contender. Early Estimate: GEEGGG= +8, something around that

Early Season Team Assesments S36

Early Season Favorites:

Grand Rapid Saboteurs- Last years runner up lost two starters but returned the two guys that matter most, Leland Gritton and Austin Soza. If your talking about the best big men combos in the league you talking about these two 6-11 monsters. The key for Grand Rapids is to get their two new starters to throw the ball down low and play some good D.

Portland Sharks- The talent is there but can they put it together. A very deep team that does not at all rely on one player for its scoring and can play some great D; they can bring a couple players off the bench who can score. Will be tough to stop because of there depth, but its going to be interesting who will step up for them when it comes to crunch time.

Atlantic City Mad Koalas- The Back to Back defending LG5 NTT Champs return this year looking to make it three in a row. AC has lots of experience when it comes to big game experience and will undoubtably feed off that come crunch time. The keys for the Koalas this year will be replacing two seniors from last years squad with two Freshman; meanwhile I'm sure their deep bench will also likely play a role in making up for that scoring. AC also will face two very difficult tests in season in LG 5 biggest Rivalry with Pitt. Those games will be huge as both teams are legitimate NTT contenders

Ocala Redemption The franchise is dying with consecutive crummy classes, and lost a pair of studs to graduation, but a top-10 senior class still has the talent to "get it done". They busted up Riverside in game 2, and should easily get a high seed thanks to the lack of competition in Conf10. They have no depth, but they have the leaders to make noise in the big dance. One last hurrah for the Redemption?

Lincoln Pimpzillas An Elite 8 team last season, Lincoln has already replaced their duo of drafted big men. The junior class runs this team now, as 6'11" Thad Osborne provides the muscle and PG Ed Meyer and SF James Valenzuela provide the offense. Meyer is a fantastic "breakout player" option; he dished 7apg while shooting 60% last season, and will get to use his net-ripping abilities more often this season. The team has every role filled, and should be able to match up with any NTT opponent.

Someone from Conference 1 This was initial going to be reserved for Final Four squad Buffalo, but I couldn't find a reason to guarantee they'd survive their brutal conference schedule. Expect three or four teams to make the big dance, and one of them will definitely make some noise. Leading candidates are steady and team-oriented Buffalo, undersized-but-explosive Brunswick, senior-driven Hershey, and the young perimeter assault of Jersey City. Youth-driven Allentown could also contend, if they manage to earn a bid to the dance.

Atlantic City/Pittsburgh The most publicized rivalry in the league probably doesn't need press from me, but they certainly deserve to be noticed for their consistent success against top-level teams. Tonight's face-off is a MUST-SEE for anyone who wants to succeed in the NTT - one of these teams will be in the Elite 8.

The Unorthodox Teams:

Toledo Tumbleweeds: From SG to Center the Tumbleweeds play four 6-7 guys. Headlining this team is its three Sophomores that composed 1/2 class last year. Playing the undersized center is David Devine who had a great year at SF last year as a freshman.

The Best Young Teams:

Abilene The Mad Cows: Headlined by back to back top ten classes Abilene has a bunch of underclassmen studs. Lloyd Whitworth, Philip Herold, and Jimmy Schaefer are all star caliber players capable of averaging well over 20 points a game; look for this team in a year or two to make a deep run when their freshman guards get some experience and playing time.

Baltimore Mice: The Mice have two Freshman starters and two Sophmores starting as well. SO SF Hal Riffe and FR SG Chang Collier will be a deadly duo over the next 3 years. Their 2/4 ranked freshman class will be looking to gain control of a strong North division in Conference 4, and maybe in the coming seasons take home that NTT title.

Boise Apocalypse: Three Freshman starters on a team with two very strong freshman and sophomore classes. Give this team two years and another good class or two and these guys will be big time competitors.

Jersey City Shockers: Allan Fisher and Phillip Dittrich make up the best young backcourt in the league. Watch these guys as they mature, they both can light it up.

My Top Five Through the First 6 Games:

#1: Pittsburgh Blazing Burros: Two big time wins already this year against St. Louis and Atlantic City both 5-1 teams who are possible title contender plus another solid win against Odessa who is 4-2. This Pitt team may not be the most talented of Valdez’s teams but so far their results have been very impressive, if they can beat Atlantic City one more time in their more than likely two match-ups to come, they will probably in my mind guarantee themselves a one seed. A team that relies on defense and all-around team play, right now has the most impressive résumé.

#2. Lincoln Pimpzillas: Another very talented team that is 6-0 and has been absolutely unchallenged so far this season. Their average margin of victory through six games has been 31 points. This team is lead by some great upper classmen, with four of them in the starting line-up with JR SF James Valenzuela leading the way. Their unchallenged season so far ends in their next game against a 6-0 Roswell club. I expect to see this experienced and very talented team in the Final Four this year, but we’ll see.

#3. Portland Sharks: The most talented team in LG5 in terms of class rankings have so far compiled a 6-0 record against decent opponents. So far they have handed a decent Riverside team a 40 point loss and beaten a 4-2 San Jose team. Their next game against Shawnee will likely point the direction of this team’s destiny and show us if they can really live up to their obvious talent.

#4. Tuscon Court Jesters: These guys know how to win the close games against the tough teams. They have already put together a one point win against Baton Rouge and two point win against Charlotte, both teams being 5-1 and ranked in the top 40 and last year were ranked in the top 20. This team is lead by their three starting Juniors who composed a 2/1 ranked class and a solid bench with lots of height lead by SR 6-10 bSF Tony Cobb who is avg 8 points in 12 minutes played. After many years of plus 15 wins this team is trying to finally break that 20 win barrier.

#5. Ocala Redemption: So far this upper class laden team has played five decent 3-3 teams and the closest any of those teams came was 16 points. This team, lead by some great seniors, has proven through the first 6 games and the preseason games that they still have what it takes to make a push in the NTT. With a relatively easy regular season schedule remaining, look for this team to be undefeated and carrying a one seed into the NTT. If their back-ups can holds up and nobody gets hurt in their starting line-up we could see them in the final four