2010 Kings of the Court preview

Its another Minnesota roadshow this week as 37 teams trek south for the Kings of the Court classic in metro Des Moines, IA.  This is the former Midwest Festival of Teams (though that event still goes on and Southside and the PNR 15s both attended it on Comets weekend).

In the 17U division, 11 of the 35 teams come from Minnesota.  Howard Pulley's 2nd team is here (top team is at session 2 of the EYBL in Houston).  Both Fury teams, Magic Elite, Heat Sprang, WOTN Black and Wrath are all in the pools just to name a few.  Heat Elite were planning on attending but most of their roster has prom this weekend so they'll take the weekend off.  Magic Elite also lose out to prom as their point guard Daron Garvis won't be playing this weekend.  But they hope to have Joe Carpenter back from injury.  TNL Express/MN Xplosion is also attending with a group of Champlin Park seniors.  That will include Josh Pella who comes over from Fury Blue for the weekend.  I look for Wrath, TNL, Pulley White and Fury Blue to all win their pools.  Magic Elite vs ECI Prospects and Joe Hanstad at 12:40 PM on Saturday is a highlight game.  Heat Sprang has the 8:50 PM opener against Kingdom Hoops for the pool title on Friday night.  Nick Carroll's Fury Gold squad has a tough draw with defending champs Spiece MOKAN Elite.  They play at 1:50 on Saturday.  Heat Sprang could see Magic Elite in the 1st round of bracket play.

In 16U, 13 of the 42 teams are from north of the border, Iowa/Minnesota border that is.  Both Howard Pulley teams are here and with pool wins could meet in the quarters.  But Howard Pulley Blue could meet Wes Staten and the Kingdom Hoops 16 Red club in the round of 16.  No cakewalk there.  Minnesota Suns get a tough draw against Bound 4 Glory's top 16s in pool H.  Minnesota Southside also in attendance.  Not out of the question for them to get a semifinal rematch with the loaded Martin Brothers 16s.  Martin Brothers has a good chance to play the Heat Elite before that game.  Winner would get a bye to the semis.  A Howard Pulley Blue vs Martin Brothers title game would be dynamite.  But defending champ Spiece MOKAN is in the Martin Brothers half of the bracket too.  Very interesting matchup possibly in the 1st round with Southside vs Heat Black who's currently on a roll.

13 15U teams make the trip.  The top MN Pump N Run team is at the top of the pools.  An interesting matchup with tNBA could await in the quarters.  The next section of the bracket could see Fury Blue make it all the way to the semis to play the winner of that tNBA/PNR game.  Bottom section of the draw has both Howard Pulley teams.  I think super frosh Peter Jok is with Kingdom Hoops Red and that would put him in Pulley Black's pool