Friday and Saturday at the 2019 NY2LA Sports Invitational saw more spring travel basketball games underway with a good blend of teams that are regular to the area’s events and leagues along with some newer teams in the mix. In that regard, some more basketball players both young and more “veteran” alike got in on the hoops action this week to compete and show out their skills with their teams. Below is a recap of some of the top performers and stock boosters over the first couple days of the event in Wisconsin.

DAY 1 & 2 TOP PERFORMERS
KENO HAYDEN – 2022 – G – KENTUCKY HOOP DREAMS
Adams made a number of tough and exciting plays on the court in what was a fast-paced contest from start to finish. The rising young guard showed a great transition game where he can side step defenders on a dime with good control and finish at the rim, often through contact. Adams also drained three’s (2) in the game with good confidence and finished the contest with 15 points to lead his team despite a tough loss.

MATTHEW AMBROSE – 2020 – SG – QUAD CITY ELITE
Ambrose was a strong contributor for his team Friday evening as he worked for his shot opportunities with great movement in the half-court. He slashed well, and played with good strength against contact around the basket, getting to the line a number of times and converting 4 free shot opportunities. Ambrose also drained a three in the game and finished with good efficiency, putting up 15 points in the game to lead the victory charge for Quad City.

DAYNE ARMWALD – 2020 – F – WI DYNASTY
Armwald was really very good for Dynasty in a tough game Friday night. The experienced forward prospect has been consistently strong for his team over the years, and this game was business as usual for him, as he was outstanding on the glass on both ends of the floor and was active around the basket, finishing up with good touch at and on the rim. Armwald also displayed his ability to knock down perimeter shots and a solid job at the free throw line to complete a 17-point game.

DUSTIN BEAUPREY – 2021 – G/F – WI CRUSADERS
Beauprey played well for the Crusaders in a tough overtime defeat. The young wing showed some excellent toughness attacking the lane lines to the basket and playing through traffic with nice handle and control going up at the hoop. Beauprey also stepped back and hit a three in the game and did the majority of his work in the second half to give his team a good chance to win down the stretch, and was tough defensively as well. He had 10 points in the game, but his hustle and rebounding efforts were equally as impactful for his team.

ALEX BROWN – 2022 – PG – IL BLAZE
The tough and talented point guard prospect had himself a game with a strong outing Saturday evening. Brown was constantly getting out on the break and finding ways to put the ball in the hoop against defenders or past them. He had good handle and shared the ball some as well, but was really tough when he attacked the rim and either finished or got to the free throw line where he converted 5 of his 6 attempts. Including hitting a three-pointer, Brown completed the game with 24 points.

JAKE BUCHANAN – 2020 – PG – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Buchanan was excellent for RAS as they put together a solid game to get things rolling earlier Saturday. The quick and hot-shooting lead guard sent a pair of three’s through the nets and was otherwise doing good work to open himself up for cleaner looks to the hoop and finished the game with 17 points.

CAMERON GROVES – 2021 – PG – TEAM FOCUS
Groves was outstanding down the stretch for Focus as he helped to steal the game in overtime with some great plays. Groves scored all 10 of his points in the second half and overtime, which includes him going nearly coast-to-coast for a lay-in to tie the game in the overtime and then shortly after was able to convert a free throw which essentially won the game after the opponent’s desperation shot heave came up just short.  Groves came up clutch when he needed to, and his team needed him too.

CONNOR HEATON – 2020 – G – IL IRISH
The athletic and tough combo guard was all over the floor for the Irish in their win earlier Saturday. Heaton was a terror on the glass on both ends of the court, raking in 9 rebounds in the game and then he was also good when he sliced down the lane lines with the ball and used his athleticism to work his body in position to get a good look at the rim and finish. He also passed the ball well with a handful of assists in the game and was tough defensively. He had 10 points, but his affect on the game really came from his energy and all-around efforts.

LOGAN JEDWABNY – 2020 – SG – WI BLIZZARD
Jedwabny was excellent both Friday night and Saturday night for the Blizzard as he worked for his shots and showed great patience in the offense. When he got any kind of clean look at the hoop, Jedwabny showed he can really fling it with accuracy as he buried 5 triples in the first contest and then Saturday night added another. However, the shooting guard prospect can score from any level of the offense and did so with good effort, particularly in the third game. He had 17 points on opening night and then to finish Day 2 he added a 12-point effort in another win.

MICHAEL OSEI-BONSU – 2022 – F – IL BLAZE
Osei-Bonsu was all energy and Saturday evening, but also showed he can really put the ball in the hoop from the interior with that effort and his feel for the game around the paint. He made some really nice passes also, including a sweet touch pass to a teammate for a score off an inbound play. With his strength and frame, he was tough for the defense to  lockdown when he was attacking the basket and he also converted 4 free throw attempts on the way to his 22-point outing in a runaway victory.

JAYQON OWENS – 2020 – PG – WI BLIZZARD
Owens was really good Friday night for the Blizzard and then again Saturday, making plays for himself and for his teammates. He made some really good, smooth but strong moves to the basket in the different games, but also showed good vision and feel for handling the ball and getting teammates involved with his passing as well. Owens also showed he could knock down outside shots a bit, and ultimately was very effective in the Blizzard’s wins.

ERIC PRICE – 2021 – PG – QUAD CITY ELITE
Price was very solid for his team during a game Saturday afternoon where he played tough with the ball in his hands and found ways to make plays. He was excellent on the drive and in the open court where he finished strong at the hoop or put down some free throws (4), and also stepped out to drain a three-pointer. Price finished with 14 points in the contest to help his team to a win.

JORDAN RICE – 2021 – PG – QUAD CITY ELITE
The quick and instinctive point man for QCE had himself an outstanding outing Saturday afternoon where he controlled the tempo of the game for his team and was constantly on the attack. He got to the free throw line a number of times with his aggressive and controlled play, converting 5 attempts to points, and was excellent shooting it from beyond the arc, sinking 3 treys in the game. Rice finished with 20 points to lead his team to a victory.

LEONTAE SCOTT – 2020 – SG – YOUNG LEGENDS
Scott played really well for the Young Legends in a tough game early on in the event. The young off-guard was really effective when he had the ball in his hands with space to work in this offense, attacking a finishing a number of times. Scott also played well in the transition game getting some points on the break, but also hit a three in the game and dropped a cool 18 points to lead his team.

BRETT SICKAFOOSE – 2021 – G – TEAM FOCUS
Sickafoose put together a really fine performance for Team Focus as they came out with a hard-fought overtime victory. The young combo guard was sizzling from the three-point line early on, and really put the game in good position for his team behind his 5 three’s. He also was strong with the ball when he drove and was able to get a few free points with free throws, and otherwise put in a couple other baskets to finish with a game-high 22 points.

JACKSON SIVILLS – 2020 – SG – KENTUCKY HOOP DREAMS
Sivills really played tough for the KHD team against a solid opponent. The talented lefty shooting guard was great from the perimeter and used his size well to make the matchup difficult for the opposing guard. Sivills drained 4 triples, and was tough when he attacked the hoop as well where he converted a couple lay-in opportunities. He also played well rebounding the ball defensively at times, and offensively finding teammates for a number of assists in the game, showing good vision and ability to execute the passes. He finished with 16 points to lead his team.

RYAN SROKA – 2020 – SG – MERCURY ELITE
Sroka put together an overall solid game for Mercury Elite in a hard-fought contest. He was really good from the three-point line where he sank 4 three’s in the game, and he was scrappy defensively, putting a lot of pressure on the ball and getting in passing lanes for deflections. Sroka also finished a couple shorter-range scoring opportunities and completed the game with 16 points.

DEANDRE WILLIAMS – 2022 – PG – MICHIGAN TITANS
Williams was excellent with the ball in his hands and was lightning quick with his handles and moves. He was able to blow by defenders on a number of occasions with his quickness and shiftiness, putting himself in good positions to score. He knocked down a three in the game, finished a couple free throws and was otherwise showing off some good touch when attacking the lane lines and finishing over or past defenders, ending the game with 13 points.

MARIO WILLIAMS – 2019 – SF – MILWAUKEE SHARKS
Williams had an excellent night from the field in the Sharks late game Saturday. With his size and ability to shoot the ball, Williams put a lot of pressure on the defense as he was a matchup problem on the perimeter where he shot and scored 4 three’s over defenders, and when they pressured high, he got by them and to the cup for a couple buckets as well. He also played with enough control to get to the free throw line and finish off 3 attempts there, tallying 19 points total in the game.

MARVIN WILLIAMS – 2020 – SF – NESYB
Williams had a solid day for NESYB as he shot the ball really well, and helped his team to play competitively with his effort and activity. Scoring-wise, Williams made his presence felt with his outside shooting, knocking down 4 three’s in the game and totaling 14 points to lead the way for his team.

JAMONTI WRIGHT – 2022 – G –KENTUCKY HOOP DREAMS
Wright was solid for the KHD team Saturday evening, particularly in the first half which helped his team battle in a tough game early on. The lefty shooting guard, who has the ability to play point when needed, knocked down a pair of three’s in the first half without hesitation and was fluid in his attack to the basket, where he also got himself to the free throw line and scored that attempt as well. He was active on the boards and played well in transition on both ends of the floor, and finished the game with 13 points.

STOCK BOOSTERS
DELONE AUSTIN – 2021 – SG – PHENOM UNIVERSITY 
Austin played a really solid game for the Phenoms, attacking the basket well and finishing with good touch, but otherwise finding good spots in the offense where his teammates found him where he could catch and score at the rim or knock down his lone three in the game as well.

NOAH BUTLER – 2019 – SF – TEAM YOBO
Butler put together a steady performance for his team Friday night with 11 points and 8 rebounds, using his athleticism and size to affect the game. He had nice tough and good control when attacking the rim which is where he did his work offensively.

K’SHAWN GIBBS – 2022 – G – WI DYNASTY
Gibbs was a strong contributor again for a tough Dynasty team that played well Saturday. Gibbs did really well on the drive and finish, but also showed he has the ability to knock down a little mid-range floater and hit a three in the game as well, finishing with 13 points.

JAMES GRAHAM III – 2021 – F – PHENOM UNIVERSITY
Graham played well to help pace his team to a strong victory earlier in the event. The big man showed he can play outside and inside as he knocked down a three in the game without hesitation and with a smooth release, and then was also good finishing around the blocks off the catch.

JONATHAN HEINEN – 2021 – F – WI CRUSADERS
Heinen played well overall for the Crusaders in a hard-fought game against Team Focus. The combo forward put together a string of buckets in the first half with good feel around the basket and from shorter-range, as well as sinking a pair of free throws to finish with 10 points in the game and several rebounds as well.

ELIJAH HORTON – 2020 – G – KEVON LOONEY ELITE
Horton played strong for Kevon Looney’s team in making plays in transition/on the fast break, but also hitting little shots in the half-court, and knocking down a triple to tally 12 points to lead his squad.

PHOENIX MABLE – 2022 – SG – MICHIGAN TITANS
Mable put together a strong overall game for his team in making plays with the ball in his hands and working hard defensively. On offense Mable drained a pair of three’s and was also good attacking, getting to the free throw line for another 2 points and finishing with 12 points in the game.

ALEXANDER MATTHEWS – 2020 – G – KENTUCKY HOOP DREAMS
Matthews made some tough plays and was active on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he sank a three and was otherwise on the attack both in the half-court and on the break, finishing with 11 points in the game, also inserting 2 free throw makes.

GRIFFIN YAKLICH – 2020 – G – IL IRISH
Yaklich has a nice offensive skill-set where he can shoot the ball with consistency from the outside as he did Saturday, and also put in a floater with good touch going to the middle of the paint and scoring over the defender. He finished with 11 points in an Irish win.

SAWYER YODER – 2021 – SG – TEAM FOCUS
Yoder had a solid game for Focus, particularly in the first half as they pulled out a tough overtime victory. Yoder sank a couple three’s in the game and also finished off a couple other buckets en route to a 10-point effort, along with a handful of rebounds in the contest.