Ladera Ranch, CA – Grassroots 365 opened their 2018 event season with its inaugural Grassroots 365 West Invitational that featured 90 teams spread across six grade divisions and 11 levels. The gold division featured teams 26 G365 Ranked teams that came from across California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. The next G365 Invitational will take place on Presidents’ Day weekend in Las Vegas.
8th Grade
The 8th Grade gold came in with the #23 Oakland Soldiers Navy (4-1) team ranked as the highest seed, but finished with the SD Seals (6-0) 14 point championship game win over an impressive California Raptors (4-2) team that was led by 6’5” wing and all-tourney selection, Mason Dorsey. The SD Seals were led by Most Outstanding Performer, Camden McCormick, who had a terrific weekend shooting from distance and also had strong performances by Austin Johnson, Cam Marshall, and Jeremiah Dargan who are all considered to be some of the top 8th grade players on the West Coast. SD Gamepoint Black 6’0” Point Guard, Devon Arlington (All-Tourney), continued to show that he has worked in his development to be considered one of the top lead guards in his class.
With their championship win, the SD Seals vault to a G365 #12 ranking. The California Raptors make their G365 debut at #21. SD Gamepoint Black #24 and Oakland Soldiers Navy #25 both round off the G365 Top 25.
7th Grade
The 7th grade gold division featured some of the best final 4 games of the weekend. In one semifinal game, #10 Team D’Termined Select faced the #21 Oakland Soldiers in a game that featured a match-up between some of the more talented 13u players on the West Coast – Makai Lewis (Most Outstanding Player) for Team D’Termined and King-Jhsanni Wilhitee (All-Tourney) for the Oakland Soldiers. Both players ended with just a few points shy of 30 after going at it throughout the 2nd half, that eventually ended with Team D’Termined pulling off a 71-67 victory.
In other semifinal game, the Sacramento Soldiers, led by David Young (All-Tourney) defeated Showtime team led by Alfred Lee (All-Tourney) by the score of 55-45. In the championship game, Team D’Termined, had just a little bit more in the tank and defeated the Sacramento Soldiers 53-46. Team D’Termined’s Jason Roberts (All-Tourney) was outstanding on the boards and on defense the entire weekend, and Cameron Mercadel was terrific shooting from distance.
With their championship win, Team D’Termined move up to a G365 #9 ranking. The Sacramento Soldiers move to #12, Oakland Soldiers to #13, Showtime to #24 and the California Bearcats Red to #25 to round out the Top 25. The California Raptors made their G365 debut at #21. SD Gamepoint Black #24 and Oakland Soldiers Navy #25 both round off the G365 Top 25. We must also mention that New Mexico’s Elite Roadrunners (2-2) had an impressive weekend competing at a high level against top level competition.
6th Grade
The 6th grade gold division likely featured some of more talented players spread across the eight teams competing for a title. To win the division, you needed to have the best player in the division on your side and that is exactly what the #19 Sacramento Soldiers had in Ben Roseborough. The 5’10” lead guard is national talent and was unstoppable throughout the weekend. In the championship game, Roseborough had a game winning drive and spin lay-up with just 2 seconds left in the clock to give his team the 56-54 victory over #9 Oakland Soldiers.
With their championship win, the Sacramento Soldiers move up to a G365 #6 ranking. The Oakland Soldiers (3-2) move up a few slots to #7 and the Loyalty Vegas Panthers (2-2) who had the most impressive outside of the Sacramento Soldiers, moved up to #16. Other teams that competed and remain in the Top 25 are #17 AZ Storm, #18 Fresno Swoosh Elite, #20 SD South Bay Show and #21 OGP HQ Black.
5th Grade
With their championship win, the Open Gym Premier HQ Black (5-0) will continue to lay claim to the #1 G365 ranking. The Oakland Soldiers Navy (4-1) will stay at #5. Moving into the Top 25, Open Gym Premier Blue to #24 and the CM Bulls (2-2) to #25 after losing a tough and close quarterfinal game to the Oakland Soldiers.
4th Grade
With their championship win, the Oakland Soldiers Navy (5-0) will continue to lay claim to the #1 G365 ranking. Other teams in the top 25, include Open Gym Premier National to #8, YouBall to #9, Sacramento Soldiers to #13, Team Nikos Black to #21, PFB Elite to #22 and AZ UH Elite to #23.
3rd Grade
With their championship win, the LA Soldiers Navy (4-0) will continue to lay claim to the #1 G365 ranking. Just as impressive, the AZ Storm (3-2) who move to #2. Other teams in the top 25, include Sacramento Soldiers to #3, Oakland Soldiers Navy to #6, and the Sacramento Yellow Jackets to #9.
