The annual Generation Next Basketball Association Championships tip off this weekend in Minnesota and a loaded 7th grade is on deck to deliver on the hardwood.  With teams from Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on hand, a powerfully talented 7th grade division stands to be one of the most action filled groups on the court this weekend.  Here’s a quick preview of the 7th grade division this weekend…

SEE ALSO 2015 GNBA CHAMPIONSHIPS 5TH GRADE PREVIEW
SEE ALSO 2015 GNBA CHAMPIONSHIPS 6TH GRADE PREVIEW
SEE ALSO 2015 GNBA CHAMPIONSHIPS 7TH GRADE PREVIEW
SEE ALSO 2015 GNBA CHAMPIONSHIPS 8TH GRADE PREVIEW

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7TH GRADE PREVIEW
Yanders Law (5-3) vs. Quad City Elite (0-8)
The duo of Donte Taylor (18.2 ppg) and Quenton Shelton (18.0 ppg) for Yanders Law is as explosive as it gets. Combined, Taylor and Shelton account for 62.6 percent of the team’s scoring. Looking for their first win, Isaiah Rivera (10.9 ppg) and Quad City Elite will need to string together a huge effort.

Butler Elite (4-4) vs. Core 6 Speed (2-6)
These two teams are closer than their records might suggest. The fast-paced attack of Butler Elite relies on transition and second-chance points and has a whopping 109 offensive rebounds thus far in GNBA, which exceeds their total on the defensive end (106). Opposites will attract as Core 6 Speed does an excellent job of controlling the pace, limiting possessions, and keeping their opponent off the glass.

Future Elite (3-5) vs. Ray Allen Select (3-5)
Two 3-5 teams meet Saturday morning. Both Future Elite and Ray Allen Select are two grind-it-out teams. The x-factor could be the three-point shooting of Ray Allen Select. While Future Elite attacks the paint and have taken just 59 three-pointers all season, Ray Allen Select has made over twice as many (40) triples than their opponent. 

Iowa Barnstormers (5-3) Milwaukee Rebels (2-6)
Alex McAleer does a little bit of everything for the Iowa Barnstormers. He averages 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He and the Barnstormers get a Milwaukee Rebels team that averages just 31.0 points per game, but can surprise if they’re able to play at their pace and get second-chance points.

Iowa Mavericks (2-6) vs. 43 Hoops (5-3)
A sleeper to win the seventh grade division, 43 Hoops always has a chance to stay in the game with their efficient offense. Four players average seven points or more per game for 43 Hoops, who ranks among the league leaders in rebounding. Zach Carr (11.9 ppg) leads a strength in numbers attack for the Iowa Mavericks, who has a deep roster that combines to shoot over 40 percent from the field, including 35.7 percent from three-point range.

Top Flight (5-3) vs. Mac Irvin Fire (2-6)
Mac Irvin Fire had a disappointing regular season, but they’re not to be counted out in Minneapolis. Richard Simmons (13.1 ppg) is a handful for Mac Irvin Fire, who has a deep, talented roster. Unfortunately for them, Caleb Druvenga (18.4 ppg) and Courtney Brown Jr. (15.8 ppg) are waiting. Not only does the duo put up huge numbers, but they don’t miss many shots, each shooting better than 50 percent from the field. 

Wisconsin Shooters (3-5) vs. ET21 Buckeyes (2-6)
Declan Ciurlik is one of the more under-appreciated players in the tournament. Averaging 15.4 points and nearly six boards per game, Ciurlik also shoots a whopping 66.2 percent from the field for the Wisconsin Shooters. Standing in their way is Justin Moore (11.4 ppg) and the ET21 Buckeyes, who have six players contributing five points per game or more.

Kessel Heat Black (2-6) vs. Illinois Rising Stars Elite (2-6)
Two 2-6 teams try and make up for a lackluster regular season. When at full strength, the Rising Stars can be a handful, but have had just two players appear in all eight games thus far. Dominick Martinelli is a big difference maker, averaging 18.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The size of Kessel Heat Black will be tough to counter. Kessel Heat is one of the top rebounding teams at 26.4 boards per game and shoots nearly 40 percent from inside the arc.

OPENING ROUND BYES 
Playground Elite (6-2)
Brandon Bowen (13.1 ppg) and Playground Elite will play the winner of Quad City Elite and Team Getshook. Playground Elite has been an offensive juggernaut all season, putting up nearly 62 points per game.

Net Gain Sports (6-2)
Net Gain comes in as one of the hottest teams in the league. Austin Andrews is averaging 15.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while Drake Dobbs is one of the most complete players, averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest. Entering the championships after going 4-0 in Waukegan, Net Gain gets the winner of Top Flight and Mac Irvin Fire.

ABC Select (8-0)
Unbeaten and league favorite ABC Select will take on the winner of the Iowa Barnstormers and Milwaukee Rebels. Averaging 65.4 points per game, Gerald Doakes (19.4) and company have squashed anyone standing in their way to this point.  They come in as the favorite with a loaded group of players top to bottom.

Team Sizzle (6-2)
Team Sizzle awaits the winner of Ray Allen Select and Future Elite on Saturday. Jalen Suggs is arguably the best player in the seventh grade division. To this point, Suggs is averaging 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His running mate Terry Lockett (14.8 ppg) might be in Suggs’ shadow, but is also one of the more exciting talents in the league.

Wisconsin United (6-2)
Wisconsin United comes at their opponent in waves. Only one player (Namari Burnett) averages more than 13 points per game, but their constant pressure defense makes up for the lack of firepower on offense. Wisconsin United faces the winner of Kessel Heat Black and Illinois Rising Stars Elite.

Wisconsin Playground Warriors (6-2)
Do-it-all wing Jalen Johnson and skilled big man Nolan Dahmen form a powerful one-two punch. A favorite in Minneapolis, the Wisconsin Playground Warriors await the winner between Yanders Law and Quad City Elite.

Kansas Pray & Play (5-3)
Either Butler Elite or Core 6 Speed will get Kansas Pray & Play on Saturday. Micah Jacques (13.2 ppg) leads a very talented and balanced lineup that gets tons of possessions, while also limiting their opponents’ scoring chances.

Team Ramey (6-2)
High scoring guard Caleb Love is averaging 18.0 points per game. His supporting cast in the backcourt plays very well off each other, making Team Ramey very dangerous. Team Ramey awaits the winner between the Wisconsin Shooters and ET21 Buckeyes.