4 teams left standing in the King of Kings College Prospect League. Couldn't have drawn up the semifinal matchups (full teams or not) any better. Two teams with highly touted Division I recruits battle in the opening game, with Albany-based Rising Stars taking on a Utica Select squad that reaches as far out as Rochester. The 2nd matchup is one of superior local interest: Takeover, a team that is mainly Center State Conference based, will play a 315 Elite squad that is, in essence, next year's 1st & 2nd team All-Tri Valley League.
When Rising Stars and Utica Select played in the regular season, both teams were looking a bit light on the rosters - Utica Select especially, having to pull 3 alternates to have a close to comfortable amount to play. They hung very tough throughout though, losing by just 1. At full strength, Rising Stars boasts 6 players who have received Division I interest. The most consistent one of them has been rising Columbia senior Jahlil Nails. Nails is far and away the league's leading scorer, averaging a touch under 21 a game. His season high 31 was a driving force in them beating Takeover in his last game 2 weeks ago, despite having to pull a couple alternates for that week in order to have enough as well. Zach Radz, a Troy senior, has also been a consistent threat for them as well. Rising Stars will have a light roster again tonight, with only 5 anticipated for the semifinal matchup. However, Nails will be one of them - and anything can happen with him on the court. Utica Select has been led by a pair of shooters - Jordan Gutierrez and Ziggy Tracey. Jordan scored nearly 25 points per game at Oneonta last season, and the 6'2" senior will be looking to do more of that moving to Class D New York Mills. One of the best pure shooters in the league, he makes defenses stretch out to 25 feet away. Same goes for Ziggy (Clifton, as many recognize him as). The 6'6" shooting guard, along with Jordan, averages 17 points per game and can beat you with the shot or off the dribble. They have loads of size as well when full, boasting 6'6" Josh Gonzalez (Canajoharie), 6'6" Troy Temara (West Genesee), and 6'11" God's Power Ogide (Bull City Prep - NC). If Select has their full array of size and shooting, it's tough for any team to match up with them.
315 Elite and Takeover should bring out the locals. It's a very intriguing matchup between the best players of the Tri Valley League and a team mainly comprised of the top players in a budding Center State Conference: large schools vs. small schools. 315 Elite boasts Notre Dame senior Kevin Warmack, who has exploded onto the scene leading his team. He is effective offensively, tough defensively and the unquestioned leader of the group. Utica Proctor senior Tyvon Reed is another experienced player that provides an athletic scoring punch. Both are veterans here, having played in all 3 years of the prospect league. They are the #1 seed in playoffs, losing just 1 game (to Rising Stars). They almost lost to the team they're playing today. Takeover was up 10 at halftime but couldn't handle the intense 2nd half pressure, eventually losing by 6 without a couple of their primary ballhandlers. They picked up a win in quarterfinals with just 5 players, and Ryan Schmadel, an Oriskany junior, had a big say in that. He dropped 31 points, 21 coming in a first half where they were dominant over the last 10 minutes. They're aided by Zach Sawyer, a Waterville senior who was a 2nd team all-state selection in Class C last season. The athletic 6'4" wing provides energy and impacts the game at both ends of the floor, filling up the stat sheet most games. They also have help from a couple out of area players - Bethlehem's John Sica and Ogdensburg's Kinnon LaRose, both surefire Division I prospects. Having them would certainly help Takeover's cause.
MVCC, 2:30 & 3:45. Free to get in and watch good hoops! Check it out!
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