Good 1st day for 43 Hoops in Arkansas

It was a good first day for the Minnesota teams playing at the Real Deal on the Hill event put on by the Arkansas Hawks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. All three levels of the 43 Hoops Basketball Club were able to win their first pool play games including the 16s level of 43 Hoops beating Texarkana 75-58. The Minnesota Magic picked up a monster win themselves 62-28 over a Basket of Dreams.

The 17 and Under level of the 43 Hoops program took on the Dallas Mustangs although it was a different Mustangs team then most expected as it was the Mustangs 15 and Under squad playing up two levels.

Chris Halvorsen started the game off with one of two monster dunks on the evening and it gave 43 Hoops an early lead. Chris started the game off guarding who was thought to be Nick Russell, a national star, but it was in fact Devonte Abrom a 6-foot-7 sophomore-to-be next year. Regardless of who it was Halvorsen shut the player down with his length and athletic ability.

The 43 Hoops BC would then open up an early 12-6 lead as point guard Kyle Risinger penetrated and kicked out to Marc Sonnen in the corner who drained a pair of three-pointers. Also building that lead was Dylan Rodriguez who first hit a mid-range jumper off a Halvorsen penetrate and kick and then Dylan later scored inside.

Sonnen then turned his attention to creation and as he moved the ball for successful open shots so did his teammates. For the most part the 43 Hoops team did a great job moving the basketball and often it started with the penetration and kicking of Sonnen and Risinger.

After building a tiny 18-17 lead at the half 43 Hoops extended the advantage to 39-24 as they spread the floor. Risinger used the extra room to penetrate and score, Halvorsen penetrated to open up Damarius Cruz for a three and then Sonnen went back to work. First Marc penetrated and opened up Rodriguez for a free throw jumper, next Sonnen beat his opponent off the dribble for a lay-in and then his baseball style outlet pass became a lay-in for a teammate.

43 Hoops would finish off the Mustangs 46-32 ending with another Rodriguez mid-range jumper and then a Mike Bruesewitz flush. I can hear people thinking, why did 43 Hoops only beat this team of 2011 kids buy 14 points? Because the Dallas Mustangs have an incredible freshman named LeBryan Nash, a 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward. This young man has stardom in his future.

Sonnen led the team in scoring with 11 points, while Rodriguez and Cruz each had eight points as the scoring was even across the board for 43 Hoops.