Champions Crowned at Basketbull's Chicago Showdown

April 12, 2009 Tyler Simms

Basketbull hosted the first annual Chicago Showdown at Attack Athletics in Chicago, the facility of personal trainer Tim Grover. The gym was at capacity throughout Friday and Saturday to watch some of the best boys’ teams in Illinois and the Midwest. The Illinois Kings (17u), Illinois Heat (16u), and the Illinois Warriors (15u) were able to capture the Championships on Saturday afternoon, as New England Hoop News was on hand to give you full recaps. Pictures are now posted from the entire weekend, which you can access here.

Like the other top 4 teams in each age group from the Chicago Showdown, the Kings, Heat and Warriors received an invitation to Basketbull’s National Invitational held July 11th and 12th at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Illinois Kings Crowned Champions in 17u
With only 8 players all weekend, the Illinois Kings were still able to run through the talented pool of 17u teams to take the crown at Basketbull’s inaugural Chicago Showdown. In a classic championship final against the 16u Illinois Wolves, who played up a division, the Kings were able to hold on a slim lead the wanning moments to win 59-55. The Kings were led by co-MVP’s Nick Kladis (11 points) and Sean McGonagil (12 points); although any number of players, including Luke Labedzki who finished with a team-high 15 points, could have taken home the honors.

The Wolves were able to make it to the finals thanks in large part to Kladis who hit a fall away 3 in the corner to send their semifinal matchup against the very talented squad Illinois Warriors into OT. Kladis continued his hot shooting in the finals knocking down 3 triples as part of his 11 points. However, the young Wolves were not the least bit intimated as the lead changed hands several times throughout the second half.

Sophomore sensation Chasson Randle, who reportedly has offers from several Big Ten schools already, led the way with a game-high 16 points. Randle and the rest of the Wolves pulled within one possession on three different occasions the last 2 minutes alone, but could never get over the hump. The Kings were able to hold off the Wolves largely due to their 17-22 shooting from the free throw line for the game, and 9-11 when it counted most down the stretch.

Heat Able to Stage Off Wolverines’ Comeback
Heads were turning from court to court at Attack Athletics as the 16u championship was being played along side the 17u finals. The Illinois Heat were able to hold off a furious second half rally against the Illinois Wolverines-Red to take the “chip” 42-39. MVP honors went to point guard Ashanti Smiter, who had 8 points in the finals but also controlled the game on both ends of the floor for the Heat.

Both teams had just finished their semifinal games less than an hour earlier, but true to AAU form the players, coaches and fans were ready to go at the opening tip. Coach Terry Head had his players juiced up before the game and were able to jump on top of the Wolverines in the first half leading 29-17 at the break. They held that double-digit lead throughout most of the second half leading by as much as 16 at one point.

Yet, the Wolverines were able to battle back picking up their pressure and attacking the basket. In the end, it was just a little too big of a mountain to climb as Smiter’s free throw with 2 seconds remaining made the Wolverines hoist up a desperation 3 at the buzzer that was off target.

Warriors Capture Championship Behind Combs and Company
The Illinois Warriors left little doubt who the best 15u team was at the Chicago Showdown, taking the Gold Bracket championship 68-39 over Illinois Old School. The Warriors used their depth at every position to wear down their opponents all weekend, and Old School fell victim to the same outcome. Darrell Combs took home MVP honors as he led a very balanced attack scoring a game-high 14 points including 4 3’s.

The Warriors ran a fluid motion offense that put each player with the ball in hands in an opportunity to score. Combs led the was with his 14, but 7 other players chipped in with either 6 or 8 points each. Every Warrior player scored a field goal in the second half alone in a fine display of team basketball.

Down 30-18 at the half, Old School fought back to try to cut it close but each time they looked like they were going to make a run the Warriors would answer with big play to end any such thought. The Warriors have the look of a team that could not only make some noise in the Illinois State tournament but also later in the AAU season on the national level as well.

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