Team Spotlight: SW ILL Jets 16U Boys

The Southwest Illinois Jets 16U boys team has been a model of consistency throughout the spring and summer basketball seasons.

 Led by head coach Tony White and assistant coach Keith Kinmon, the Jets feature some of the top players from the metro east area who are in the Class of 2012. During the spring, the Jets won the Bring Your Game Midwest Youth Tournament in Indianapolis and advanced to the Final Four of the Peoria Irish Tournament. They also advanced to the Final Four of the Blue Chip Memorial Day Hoopfest in Louisville before the players joined their high school teams for the month of June.

 The Jets have continued their winning ways during the month of July as they advanced to the championship game of two consecutive tournaments with two runners-up finishes. The Jets finished second in the gold division of NY2LA Next Level Tournament in Mequon, Wisc. At the end of that tournament, they jumped in the car and immediately headed to Highland, Ind. to play in the DI Boys and Girls Tournament, where they advanced to the championship game and finished second.

 "I thought the players represented themselves well," said White. "What was most important was that our kids were able to play in front of over 80 college coaches at each tournament. It was a real good week for us. The kids have done a nice job of stepping up to the challenge."

 The Jets top scorer throughout the summer has been guard Roy Bullock III of O'Fallon High. Bullock was a major part of the Panthers' run to the Final Four of the IHSA Class 4A state tournament with his perimeter shooting off the bench. This summer, he has been able to showcase his overall offensive game with the Jets, especially his long-range shooting. Bullorck averaged 16 points a game at the NY2LA Next Level Tournament and nearly 20 points a game at the DI Boys and Girls Tournament.

 Guard Joshua White (Edwardsville) provided floor leadership and consistent offensive production as the Jets' second-leading scorer. White is also an excellent outside shooter who can also drive to the basket and set up open teammates. He averaged a combined 12 points a game in the two tournaments. Joshua is the son of Jets' head coach Tony White.

 Forward Michael Jackson (O'Fallon) is a 6'4" junior who could swing from the backcourt to up front with equal effectiveness. He has also been a consistent double-figures scorer throughout the summer. White feels that Jackson has been their most consistent player throughout the summer.

 Guard Michael Schmidt (Belleville West) is a solid point guard who logged many varsity minutes for the Maroons during the winter while forward Elijah Kinmon (O'Fallon) has played well this month despite an ankle injury. The 6'4" Kinmon is a late bloomer who is coming on strong with his athletic ability and skill set.

 The rest of the Jets team consists of Diarra Cooper (O'Fallon), Geoffrey Hartlieb (Highland), Jalen Martin (Edwardsville), De Andre Rye (Springfield Southeast), Kendall Smith (Belleville West), George Suggs (Vianney) and Blair Taylor (Mascoutah). The 6'4" Hartlieb is a nice perimeter shooter while the 6'7" Smith and 6'9" Suggs provide size.

 The Jets will conclude the summer by competing in the Jets Summer Classic this weekend at the Belleville Family Sportsplex and the Chicago Hoops End of the Season Showdown from July 29-31 in Merrillville, Ind.