A Music City onslaught in Circle City.
The state of Indiana is long known and respected for their basketball prowess and tradition.
The Nashville Celtics decided to put a little Tennessee flavor in the Hoosier gumbo having their 16 and under squad trudge to the Final Four and the 17 and under version finish the event 4-2, right on the verge of getting more.
Chemistry finally reared it's head and the Celtics 16's took full adavantage running through pool play and the first three games of bracket action to the tune of average margins of victory in the high 20's.
Leading the charge for the Celtics was the "heartbeat" Chase Dunn (Livingston Academy), who scored when called upon to the tune of around 16 per game and helped set up his shooters and big guys for easy buckets in the half court or transition. Filling up the Indiana skies with rainbow jumper were Zane Gibson (Baylor) and Drew Barham (CBHS), a late addition who proved to be invaluable playing both 17's and 16's and showing his outside prowess knocking down six in a semi-final contest and shooting consistently the entire week.
Also pulling double duty, Drew Kelly (Centennial) played 13 games over the weekend and never lost his wind. He was dominant in the 16's averaging in excess of 16 per game and using his fundamentally sound game to score over bigger, stronger, more athletic posts at will.
Also scoring with a variety of inside twisting moves was rising sophomore phenom Casey Prather (Jackson Northside), fresh off an offer from SEC member Ole Miss, the high flyer scored off offensive boards and was a proverbial highlight reel throughout the week. Coaches from all the big boys are making sure to get his address and info correct for future consultation.
Another highly talked about prospect for the Celtics was Kentucky native Jon Hood. The lanky 6-6 wing has the ability to create his own shot, can score off the deep three or the bounce, and has an above average basketball IQ.
Another bright spot for the Celtics was the continued maturation of Ricky Williams (Liberty Tech). Just waiting for his opportunity, Williams is a heady point guard whose skills as a defender are unmatched.
In the 17 and under classification the Celtics finished pool play 2-1 and then reeled off two wins in bracket play before falling to one of the final four participants. Showing out for the Celtics was Tim Benford (Red Bank), a tough, hardnosed, physical guard with a football mentality. His athletic ability was eveident in his scoring and relentless defensive effort.
Charles Holt (Liberty Tech) had a fine weekend knocking down shots, Jonathan Newbill was a valuable contributor knocking down shots and defending well, Marsallis Malone (Gallatin) had some fine moments but must become more consistent, Brennan Torstrick (USJ) presented flashes of offensive post skills and Chase Robinson (Alabama) played well.