July 17, 2023
By Morgan Wenger
Tournament Director

After two blowouts to start pool play, the games in this year’s High School division were extremely competitive. Behind Braden West’s 14-point performance, coupled with 10 points from Parker Metsker, Norwayne slammed Woo Tang Clan 30-11. Tristan Walker and Anthony Carmean each tallied five points in defeat for Woo Tang Clan. The Ballers followed suit by hammering Team USA 30-13 behind Malachi Gray’s 17-point explosion. Kodah Allen contributed 12 points for the winners while Dack Mutters led Team USA with eight points.

After everyone got a game under their belts, the scores started to tighten. The Ballers faced off with Woo Tang Clan in a very spirited matchup. With Kodah Allen getting extra attention from his opponents, this time it was Braylon Slaughter who stepped up and scored 12 points to help the Ballers defeat Woo Tang Clan 30-20. Allen matched Slaughter’s total with 12 points of his own. Tristan Walker led Woo Tang Clan with seven points. Norwayne found itself in a formidable battle with Team USA as well. More specifically, it was Michael Diehl who kept Team USA in the game with Norwayne. Diehl drilled five three pointers as part of his game high 17 points, but it was still not enough to overcome Parker Metsker (11 points), Connor Preattle (10 points), and the rest of the Norwayne squad. Norwayne won the game 30-22.

With both teams sitting at 2-0 in pool play, the matchup between Norwayne and the Ballers was sure to incite some fireworks. A hot Norwayne start put them out in front to stay in this one. Brayden West (nine points) and Parker Metsker (seven points) led the way for Norwayne in the 22-13 win. The game ended prematurely after two ejections left the Ballers unable to complete the game. Kodah Allen scored nine points in defeat for the Ballers.

The Ballers' Malachi Gray drives against Norwayne's Braden West

Top seeded Norwayne, once again, found itself in a battle with Team USA in the semifinal round. Team USA used a balanced approach to attack Norwayne this time around, with Michael Diehl (seven points), Darshuan Sales (seven points) and Dack Mutters (six points) all getting in on the act from long distance. Connor Preattle scored from all over the court in leading Norwayne with 12 points during the game. Jon Graham added 10 points for Norwayne, and Braden West nailed a three pointer to clinch the 30-24 victory and championship game berth. The other semifinal game was the most hotly contested game of the day in this division. The Ballers and Woo Tang Clan went at it. In a game that featured great intensity, contributions from everyone on both rosters, and several lead changes throughout the game. The Ballers were able to outlast Woo Tang Clan by a 30-27 count. Nate Boyer led the charge for the Ballers with 13 points to outlast a balanced effort from Woo Tang Clan. Anthony Carmean (nine points) and Tristan Walker (eight points) led the way for Woo Tang Clan.

Norwayne had no interest in having a tight championship game. They got after the Ballers on both sides of the ball right from the start. The intensity overwhelmed the Ballers, who were only able to muster one basket outside of Kodah Allen (12 points). Parker Metsker scored 11 points to lead the way for the champions, while Braden West scored all eight of his points from inside the three-point arc to help secure the championship.

Norwayne (Connor Preattle, Braden West, Parker Metsker, Jon Graham)

Dawg Days Home