Homere's AAU 17U Hoop Stars (mostly Duluth Denfeld varsity players) won the Gopher State Spring Basketball championship on Sunday in Northfield, Minn, winning all three of their games in their season-opening tournament.
After a slow start, which included a lot of one-on-one basketball, the Hoop Stars eventually settled down started playing much better. Kareem Pulliam (Denfeld), a 6-foot-6 post, averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game in the tournament.
Tommy Northcut (Duluth East) played some great defense and put his teammates in a good position to have open shots by attacking the basket.
The defensive pressure by DaShawn Moore (Denfeld), Ethan Starstead (Denfeld), Northcutt and Marnaries Ferguson (Denfeld) was huge.
Mace Brooks (Denfeld) hit some outside shots and Deon Persaud-Davis (Denfeld) knocked down a boatload of mid-range jumpers.
Anthony Reynolds (Fond du Lac) had a few great drives to the basket.
DaQuan Moore (Denfeld), who missed all of last season due to tearing his ACL last summer, was able to impact a lot this weekend as well with his defense and his drives to the basket.
Hoopsters Roster
DaQuan Moore (Denfeld 2024)
Marnaries Ferguson (Denfeld 2025)
DaShawn Moore (Denfeld 2024)
Jason Brown (Denfeld 2024)
Ethan Starstead (Denfeld 2024)
Tommy Northcutt (Duluth East 2024)
Mace Brooks (Denfeld 2024)
Deontae Persaud-Davis (Denfeld 2024)
Kareem Pulliam (Denfeld 2024)
Anthony Reynolds (Fond du Lac (2024)
Derek Meger, a former Hunters star power forward, is the Hoopsters coach.
