July 27, 2024
By Morgan Wenger
Tournament Director

Pool play games were very competitive in the Young Bucks division. Behind Jaxson Gasser’s 15 points, the Hoopers scored a convincing 30-16 win over the Ohio Steppers in their first game. Akron Elite found themselves in a battle with Silly Sam in the first round of pool play as well. Carter Underwood knocked down three triples as part of his team high 15 points to keep Silly Sam in the game throughout, but that was not enough to overcome a 21 point explosion from Akron Elite’s Mason Chapman. Chapman nailed five three pointers and used his quickness to get inside for the rest of his offensive output in leading his team to the 30-26 victory.

This set up an ultra-competitive second round game between the Hoopers and Akron Elite. On an individual level, this matchup highlighted the battle between Jaxson Gasser and Mason Chapman. Gasser had knocked down three shots from behind the arc in his first game, but that was merely a warmup for what transpired in this game. The young marksman hit five long balls to record a game high 15 points, while receiving help in the scoring column from Alex Meinen (seven points) and Brendan Hall (six points). That was enough to outlast Akron Elite by a 30-23 count. Mason Chapman (10 points) and Carter Fedrick (nine points) combined to knock in five three pointers to lead the way for Akron Elite.

Hoopers' Alex Meinen finishes a layup against Akron Elite

Kyren Tillison and Javon Mosley scored 14 points each to lead the Ohio Steppers to their first win in the second round of pool play against Silly Sam. Silly Sam followed up that game with their best effort of the day against the undefeated Hoopers. Playing with more aggressiveness and riding the hot shooting of Carter Underwood (four three pointers, 12 points) and Bryce Besancon (three three pointers, 11 points), Silly Sam gave the Hoopers all they could handle. Jaxson Gasser was just too much though. For the first time all day, Gasser started working his way inside as the game tightened up down the stretch. Alex Meinen hit a huge three pointer late in the game to keep Silly Sam at bay. Gasser led the way with 16 points, while Meinen finished with seven points and Brendan Hall chipped in with six points in the 30-25 triumph.

The bracket play games in this division held very little suspense. Behind another dominant shooting display from Mason Chapman, Akron Elite hammered the Ohio Steppers 30-12 in the semifinal round. Chapman was simply on fire from beyond the arc, knocking down six triples on his way to a game high 20 points. Jesse Little added six points for the winners, while Javon Mosley finished a solid day by leading the Ohio Steppers with seven points. In the other semifinal, the Hoopers were ready for Silly Sam this time around. Both teams made defensive adjustments from their earlier meeting. For the first time all day, Jaxson Gasser was held in check. After being blitzed by Silly Sam’s Carter Underwood and Bryce Besancon in their first matchup, the Hoopers limited them to a combined 12 points in the semifinals. With Gasser unable to get untracked offensively, Alex Meinen stepped up to lead the way for the Hoopers. The elusive Meinen dodged and darted his way inside for a dominant 16 point outburst to punch his team’s ticket to the championship game with a 30-15 win. Cade Leach knocked in two long balls to add six points for the winners. Bryce Besancon scored seven points to lead the way for Silly Sam.

The Hoopers adjusted to Akron Elite’s Mason Chapman in the championship round too. Chapman had been dominant all day long, putting up very efficient offensive numbers. His attack was thwarted in the championship game. With their star player unable to carry the load offensively, Akron Elite was unable to keep the game close. Jaxson Gasser (11 points) and Brendan Hall (10 points) led the way in a 30-13 title clinching victory for the Hoopers.

Hoopers (Jaxson Gasser, Cade Leach, Alex Meinen, Brendan Hall)

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