By JAMES KERTI
LAS VEGAS, NV — Teams from California, Utah, and Idaho joined some of Nevada’s best for the Las Vegas Easter Showdown from April 5-7.
In the 17U Boys Division, Marcus Banks Hard 2 Guard, Salt Lake Prospects, Hard 2 Guard — Inland Empire, and Salt Lake Rebels Red each went an undefeated 3-0 in pool play to claim first round byes.
The Salt Lake Prospects cruised into the championship having been challenged only by the Henderson Heat, which featured Kentrell Washington from Clark and Foothill’s Tyler Roberts. The Henderson Heat’s dramatic comeback from a large halftime deficit fell five points short.
The Salt Lake Prospects team includes Lone Peak teammates Nick Emery and Eric Mika, as well as Orem’s Dalton Nixon and Parker Van Dyke from East.
Emery, who has committed to BYU, and Van Dyke both showed off tremendous strokes from three point range. Nixon has a versatile game and sets great screens. Mika plays strong around the basket and has a soft touch with either hand.
In the title game, they met Marcus Banks Hard 2 Guard, a team that features several Division I guard prospects.
Junior guards Tyler Jones from Durango and Brannon Cresanto from Foothill played well throughout the event. Jones can score or facilitate with the ball in his hands, while Cresanto thrives with his lethal dribble jumper from the perimeter.
Marcus Banks Hard 2 Guard also had Foothill’s Elijah Smith playing lockdown perimeter defense off the bench.
Among all the talent, Palo Verde junior Eris Winder stood out the most.
The point guard put up 25 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and no turnovers in the championship game as his Marcus Banks Hard 2 Guard squad dominated the Salt Lake Prospects.
Mid-majors should have their eye on Winder, who loves to create for himself and his teammates with a variety of fakes. He also played good defense on the Utah guards in the final.
Dream Vision’s 14U team played up a division, competing in the 15U group. The team featured top freshman center Stephen Zimmerman from Bishop Gorman, in addition to their elite eighth graders.
Zimmerman threw numerous key outlet passes to start fast breaks throughout the event. He also played strong around the basket, with many blocks and dunks, including an alley-oop off an inbounds pass.
Dream Vision faced Old Vegas for the 15U title. Old Vegas’ team boasts impressive freshmen such as Bishop Gorman’s Orr Leumi and Nick Blair.
Leumi is a young combo guard with a nice stroke. Blair uses his good athleticism to rebound well and score in transition.
Dream Vision held on despite a late comeback from Old Vegas to win the 15U championship, 72-71.
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