Battle In The Sunflower: 15U Notebook
We had one more tune up tournament before the circuit finals this weekend in St. Louis. We were up in Wichita for the Battle In The Sunflower tourney and my focus all weekend was on the 15U division. That division…
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Continue ReadingWe had one more tune up tournament before the circuit finals this weekend in St. Louis. We were up in Wichita for the Battle In The Sunflower tourney and my focus all weekend was on the 15U division. That division was absolutely loaded and featured some really strong teams, especially from the state of Oklahoma. In my 15U Notebook, I take a look back at some of the best things I saw from the weekend. From the best games, to performances and fantastic finishes, I break down the absolute best of the best. Speaking of the best of the best, you can check out our Undefeated Spotlight feature on the two unbeaten teams from the 15U division this weekend.
BEST GAME I SAW
Flash KC White Beats DC Sports MO 70-68
We had a few close games throughout the tournament and I was able to check out a lot of great basketball, but this one match-up was the best of the best. Flash KC White knocked off DC Sports 70-68 in the final minute. I was fortunate enough to be able to watch this game from start to finish as both teams came into Sunday’s first game with unbeaten records after 2-0 starts on Saturday. As many fans of grassroots basketball knows, getting up to play a 9AM game isn’t always the easiest but these girls did not look like they had a problem.
The game was entertaining from the start and was one of the higher scoring games of the tournament. At the end of the day, it was Flash KC’s Lauren Dittmer hitting a three-pointer with just 30 seconds left to give Flash KC White the win. Dittmer’s shot came just moments after DC Sports took the lead on yet another dramatic shot. Dittmer calmly stepped up and nailed the basket to give her team the eventual win. Dittmer was the hero but Ava Levings led the game in scoring with 20 points, dropping 5 three-pointers in the process.
BEST PERFORMANCE I SAW
Addison Mootry
Addison
Mootry
5'5" | CG
Inola | 2024
State
OK
Hits Five 3-Pointers In Win Over Della Lamb
Another finalist for best game I saw was Tulsa JYD knocking off Della Lamb in a battle of two undefeated teams. Both teams were 3-0 coming into the contest and the winner would be one of only two teams that would finish off the tournament with a perfect record. Addison Mootry Addison Mootry 5'5" | CG Inola | 2024 State OK and Tulsa JYD would be that team following their 41-35 victory. Mootry would score a game-high 15 points and couldn’t miss from three-point range, scoring all of her 15 points from beyond the arc with five three-pointers.
Mootry was also the leader on the floor for Tulsa JYD. We got a chance to see this team a couple times and Mootry was much more than just a shooter. She ran the point for Tulsa JYD and was nearly an extension of the coaching staff on the floor. She played with a high IQ and very rarely made a mistake. However, there is no doubt that it was her shooting that put Tulsa JYD over the top in this game. She was on fire from outside and even had a little luck on her side. She banked in a three-pointer
BEST FINISH I SAW
Team Griffin Beats BC Denver 51-50
This game is a little different from the best overall game that I saw. However, it’s one of only two games from all 36 15U games that was decided by a single point. And that game-winning point wasn’t made until less than ten seconds to go in the game. Team Griffin knocked off BC Denver 51-50 on a last second shot by Ryleigh Bacon. Team Griffin was trailing 50-49 and had a shot earlier bounce off the backboard. BC Denver recovered the rebound, only to have it ripped away and the loose ball went into the hands of Bacon. The 2024 prospect from Oktaha snagged it and had a lane to the basket to give her team the dramatic victory. BC Denver would have a shot at the win but it was no good and Bacon and Team Griffin survived.