Salt Lake Metro Black wins Las Vegas Fab 48 championship
This entry was posted on 8/5/2010 12:12 AM and is filed under Boys Basketball News.
17U Open Division Champions
The Salt Lake Metro Black basketball team captured the 17U Open division championship at the recent Las Vegas Fab 48 Tournament. The Black team finished the tournament with a spotless 8-0 record. The win is the first for a Utah 17U team since 1998 when Salt Lake Metro captured the BCI tournament title over a team featuring Richard Jefferson.
POOL PLAY:
Metro began pool play with an exciting 74-71 win over the Arizona Aces. Metro perfectly executed a set play at the end of the game to get Nick Emery (Lone Peak HS) a wide open look at a 3 pointer. Nick proceeded to bury the shot with one second remaining to give Metro the win. In attendance at the game were BYU head coach Dave Rose and Utah head coach Jim Boylen.
The second game of pool play ended with a 81-48 Metro win over Branch West Prep (CA). Branch West is a long time club program out of California with several teams. Metro dominated play throughout the game.
The final pool game was between two teams that were undefeated in pool play. Metro defeated Williamette Reign (OR) 65-59 to capture first place in their pool. Metro ended up being in a tough pool as the Williamette Reign finished in the final four of the tournament.
BRACKET PLAY:
Metro opened tournament bracket play with a blowout 83-44 win over Franchize Red (TX). This would end up being the first of several blowout wins for the Metro team.
Second round tournament bracket play matched Metro with a very athletic San Diego Warriors (CA) team. Bountiful's McKay LaSalle was on fire during the game hitting 8 3 pointers and going for a game high 34 in a 86-80 Metro win.
Quarterfinal action began with a matchup against Desert Storm (NV). Metro got off to a slow start during the game getting down 17-6. After making some defensive adjustments that enabled Metro to change momentum, Metro proceeded to pull off a hard fought 76-73 win. Lone Peak soph Nick Emery had an outstanding game with 43 points in the win.
Moving to the semi final game Metro was matched up against the Nike sponsored Arizona Stars. The Stars won their quarterfinal matchup by 27 points against perennial CA powerhouse HS team Mater Dei. Metro dominated the semifinal matchup beating the Stars 98-64. To give some perspective to the win, the same Stars team went on to lose in the consolation championship of the Desert Duel invitational tournament where they were able to beat national powerhouse teams like the Compton Magic and Team Philly.
On to the finals and our third game of the day. Playing in a packed gym of college coaches Metro matched up against Southwest Elite (TX). Metro did not have a great shooting game like we had in previous games as we knew going in our legs would be a little tired. Metro played outstanding defense in the first half taking a 37-17 halftime lead. Metro ended up claiming the championship with a 68-48 win. Lone Peak's soph Nick Emery led Metro with 19 points.
COACHES COMMENTS:
This Metro team totally bought into what we were trying to do and to each other. There were no egos on the team just 8 players playing together for a common goal. All of the players bought into their roles and played to their strengths as players. The team played very unselfish, defended and competed hard in every game. All of the players showed they know what it takes to be successful individually and collectively. We missed having one of our top players, Jordan Hamilton, who is out with an injury but the team believed in each other and got the job done. All of our seniors played with great energy and toughness and showed well to the numerous college coaches in attendance. Our two sophs played with outstanding poise and proved to everyone that they are among the top players in the Intermountain West.
THE PLAYERS:
2011 6-4 W Casey Evans Morgan HS
2011 6-7 F Jordan Hamilton Lone Peak HS (injured)
2011 6-5 F Dallin Kay Juab HS
2011 6-4 W Jack Larson East HS
2011 6-3 SG McKay LaSalle Bountiul HS
2011 6-2 G Ryan Sagers Timpview HS
2011 6-10 C Hardy Weissohn Layton Christian Academy
2013 6-1 PG Nick Emery Lone Peak HS
2013 6-1 G Parker Van Dyke East HS
