July part 2 preview

Now the games really get big as most everybody is in Vegas or Orlando (or Kansas as we'll see below). Let's look at the final 10 day recruiting period that starts on Wednesday.

Adidas Super 64 (Las Vegas)
The "Main Event" isn't the main event here for the Minnesota teams. Its the Adidas Super 64. Both teams from the Comets and 43 Hoops are playing along with Net Gain in pool play. Minnesota Pump N Run was placed in a super pool giving them a bye in the championship bracket. Net Gain and a hot Chanse Creekmur (Santa Clara) will see Comets-Seevers in pool play. Unfortunately, no realistic shot of any big matchups during bracket play as Net Gain, MN PNR and 43 Hoops Harris are all in separate quarters of the bracket. PNR could have 43 Hoops Hemmingsen and Comets-Hanson down the line in their quarter. But Comets-Hanson gets this reward for winning their pool. Derek Smith-All Stars and then a rested Grassroots Canada squad. Ouch.

In the 16s we have the top 2 16s in the state, 43 Hoops Carr and MN PNR. Best case for the 2 to meet is for Carr to win their pool, PNR to finish 2nd. Then both would have to win 1st 2 bracket games to play each other in the final 16.

Net Gain, MN PNR and a combined 43 Hoops squad are in the first 3 pools so there's plenty of chances for them to meet early in pool play.

Main Event (Las Vegas)
Minnesota Fury and both Minnesota Select teams are here for the 17s. Each of those organizations also has a 16s team playing

Reebok Summer Championships (Las Vegas)
The Dakota Schoolers and ECI will represent the region in the Reebok Summer Championships. The Schoolers and their pair of D1 bigs (Trevor Gruis-South Dakota and Cody Larson-Iowa) get a tough pool draw with MBA Elite and stud LaQuinton Ross and a Team Detroit club that just knocked off 43 Hoops Harris for the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam title.

AAU Nationals (Orlando)
The MN Heat Elite 16s will take their show to nationals. They get Team Breakdown in their pool which is a tough draw. Magic Elite 16s also make an appearance in the Super Showcase.

(Czar's note 7/21/09: MN Glory 17s are also in Orlando for Nationals. Thanks for a friendly reader for pointing that out)

Kansas
Hoop City Top 20 is in Kansas. TNL Express and Mpls Redhawks (with Josh Pratt) are there in pool play. Howard Pulley has 2 teams there in the elite top 20 which is separate. 43 Hoops will make the trip for the end of summer event there after Las Vegas.

MN PNR goes to LA after Vegas. Net Gain goes to Phoenix. Everybody else probably wants to go home and sleep until football starts in a couple of weeks.