U-18 Boys Basketball State Championships All-Star 5 & MVP

Congratulations to the boys who were selected from the 2018 Under 18 State Championships for the All-Star 5 and MVP!

Athletes were selected by criteria that measured their impressionable individual performances that supported team results, relative to the expectations of that team. All athletes at the Under 18 State Champs performed exceptionally well.

Tom Cordwell (USC)

Tom Cordwell was outstanding for the USC Rip throughout the tournament. The imposing guard played with an incredible mix of poise and creativity. The smooth nature of Cordwell’s game made it appear like he was always in control and never rattled, regardless of the heavy attention he was receiving from opposition teams. Averaging a respectable 18.14 points per outing, Cordwell had scoring highs against Townsville (30) and South West Metro (24). A 3-level scorer with a high basketball IQ, Tom Cordwell’s performances warrant selection into our All Star 5.

Elias Cato (USC)

The second USC player selected to our All-Star 5, Elias Kato had an exceptional tournament for the hometown team. Kato had his best game of the competition in the semi-final showdown against the Cairns Marlins. On that occasion, Kato scored his tournament high of 35 and willed USC into the grand final. Whilst potent as a scorer at times, Kato defended with equal enthusiasm and was prepared to play the role of offensive facilitator where required. Whilst his versatility may be his separating skill, Kato was sound in all areas of the game for USC. A big part of their team’s success.

Moses Majok (South West Metro)

Moses Majok was the leading figure in the resurgence of a very talented South West Metro team. Majok finished the tournament averaging 18.71 points per game, scoring 29 and 26 points in the semi-final and grand final games. When the ball was in Majok’s hands, you were confident something good was going to happen for the Pirates. With silky smooth skills and unwavering poise, Moses was clearly one of the best guards at the tournament. An athletic dynamo with a willingness to make plays for himself and other, Majok earned his selection onto our All-Star 5 squad.

Ethan Crees (Cairns)

The Cairns Marlins forward found ways to be impactful all tournament long. Crees doesn’t have the most polished offensive skill package, but he plays with unrelenting effort on both sides of the ball and finds ways to positively impact basketball games. Usually a complimentary piece, Crees established himself as a tier 1 talent on this Cairns roster with an average of 14.14 points per game. Tournament highs came in the semi-final and bronze medal game, scoring 19 and 21 points in those matches respectively. With an influence that cannot be truly valued statistically, Ethan gets the nod as a member of our All-Star 5.

Donovan Crowe (Brisbane)

Our preview suggested Donovan Crowe would be a dominant interior player and he proved us correct, averaging 16.86 points per game. Crowe demanded double teams throughout the tournament and managed to continue to find ways to be effective. With an array of offensive skills, Crowe created havoc with his power game, his ability to shoot from distance and his crafty passing out of the post. Beyond his offensive impact, Donnie stood up as a defensive presence as a rebounding force. A great tournament, which results in his All-Star 5 selection.

Tournament MVP – Tom Cordwell (USC)

The most dynamic player on the winning team, Tom Cordwell is our tournament Most Valuable Player. Whilst competently supported by Elias Kato, it was Cordwell’s influence which opened the game up for his teammates to impact. In the gold medal match, he delivered a number of timely plays that allowed USC to regain momentum and run away as eventual champions. A class act and a worthy tournament MVP. Congratulations, Tom!