The 2016 annual NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza came to an end on Sunday. In the inaugural weekend of the NY2LA Association, there was a buzz and energy in the gym as teams took their first steps towards winning their respective divisions, while others look to bounce back in Dallas this coming weekend. Meanwhile in the open division, titles were claimed in the 15, 16, and 17U divisions. Thanks to a big performance from Alec Loehr, the Minnesota Warriors took home the crown in 17U. 

Here are the top performers and stock boosters from Sunday’s action…

NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION – DAY 3 TOP PERFORMERS
Owen King – 2018 – SG – Wisconsin Playmakers
King is one of the best kept secrets in Minnesota right now. A high volume scorer that puts up big numbers, all King does is produce and win games. In a blowout win of a strong Wisconsin Shooters team, King and the Playmakers made quick work of their opponent. The sophomore sharpshooter scored 18 points in limited duty. A strong pull-up shooter, King has the ability to make difficult shots look very easy. He’s improved his strength and athleticism since the winter and is much more of a threat attacking the basket as well. 

Mitch Listau – 2018 – G – Wisconsin Swing
Listau might have had the best weekend in the 16U Division. Coming up with 21 points, he led the Wisconsin Swing to a strong victory over Yanders Law on Sunday. While his offense and three-point shooting made the box score, it was his perimeter defense that was the story. Listau made things very difficult on some very good Yanders Law guards and wore them down over time. Offensively, the lefty is a terrific spot-up shooter and tough driver to the rim. 

NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION – DAY 3 STOCK BOOSTERS
Jack Brady – 2018 – G – Wisconsin Shooters
Despite a lopsided defeat to the Wisconsin Playmakers, Brady played well on Sunday. He got hot in the second half, draining a number of three-pointers. The 6-foot-0 guard was impressive with his ability to rattle of quick shots that were highly contested and drain them from a good distance as well. He finished with a team-high 14 points in Sunday’s loss. 

Jordan Walton – 2018 – SG – Yanders Law
Walton wasn’t the headline player on his own team, but perhaps it’s time we start taking notice. The sophomore guard had a fantastic, gutsy effort in a loss to the Wisconsin Swing on Sunday. Against a very good defensive club, Walton had to turn things up a notch and did that with some big time fancy buckets and assists. Pulling off some tricky moves, Walton went for 18 points and a handful of assists. 

Nick Klug – 2018 – G – Wisconsin Swing
Klug came up big in Sunday’s win over Yanders Law. Most of the defense’s attention goes to Listau and Mason Steffen, and Klug made the opposition pay. Klug was pretty much a run stopper and a momentum swinger on Sunday. The sophomore guard drained a number of key shots that eventually took the air out of Yanders Law, who could not keep up. Klug finished with 14 big points in the win. 

OPEN DIVISION TOP PERFORMERS
Zachary Couper – 2017 – F – Team RWA
A stretch forward who can shoot the basketball from mid and three-point range, Cooper led Team RWA to the 17U Gold Championship on Sunday. Cooper shot the ball well en route to a game-high 16 points. Able to face up and then rise and fire, Cooper used his size and length to shoot over the top of the defense. Also a willing passer from the high post, Cooper helped jump start the offense with a number of nice passes. 

Jamison Jackson – 2018 – F – Team Kansas City
Jackson is a pretty intriguing prospect. A versatile, athletic sophomore, Jackson flashed some impressive skills with the basketball in Sunday’s 16U title game. A bouncy forward who can put the ball on the deck and attack from the high post effectively, Jackson was solid in finishing around the rim. Jackson also showed a lot of promise defensively, coming over from the weak-side to block and alter shots. He scored a team-high 13 points as well in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Heat. 

Alec Loehr – 2017 – PF – Minnesota Warriors
Loehr played well in two games on Saturday, leading the Minnesota Warriors to the 17U open division title. A skilled post, Loehr flashed a nice drop step jump hook on the block. He’s comfortable finishing with either hand down low as well. The lengthy big man also poses a mismatch problem with his ability to step out and shoot the ball. In the 17U title game victory over DTA, Loehr knocked down seven triples en route to a game-high 27 points. 

David Thompson – 2017 – G – DTA
Thompson helped DTA rout Team Kansas City in the semifinals. A quick, strong guard, Thompson was pedal to the metal for 30 minutes. The junior was sound in transition, putting the jets on and finishing at the rim. He also got to the free throw line constantly on Sunday, attacking the hoop and going right into the chest of defenders to draw contact. Thompson had a game-high 19 points in the victory. Thompson later had a team-high 13 points in the 17U title game loss to the Minnesota Warriors. 

Odell Wilson – 2018 – PF – Minnesota Heat
Wilson had a dominant effort in the 16U title game against Team Kansas City. A 6-foot-6, 240-pound sophomore, Wilson used his size to his advantage. Able to seal and pin his man deep under the basket, defenders often had no chance when Wilson caught down low. With a soft touch, Wilson looked promising when using an array of different finishes in the paint. He finished with a game-high 16 points in the victory. 

RECRUITING NOTES
Mitch Listau has offers from Milwaukee and Green Bay. He’s currently fielding interest from Wisconsin, Ohio, Northern Iowa, Minnesota, and others. 

Owen King is receiving early interest from Northern Iowa.