The Thunderstruck came to IndiWorld1 in San Diego, CA from 3,000+ miles away as the winners of the highly competitive NYBL 2021 league. It was apparent that the squad was highly passionate and a great fit for the final right away. They were more physically imposing than the rest of the field, and the most skilled at putting up big runs and fast breaking their way to victory - including many to question the age of a few of their studs. (More on this later).
Dudley Blackwell was the clear cut leader at the time of IndiWorld1, averaging X and taking the team to the first ever title as well as being our first ever MVP. Dudley, shortly after was invited to participate in the U16 USA Basketball trials, a huge honor and he talks about his experience where we sent Jason O’neill and Aubrey Gray our official announcers and media team of IndiWorld to catch up.
Thunderstruck used this momentum to partner up to be Thunderstruck/Nightrydaz- a then Adidas backed team and chose to create the first ever “IndiHoops Double Play” this is when you compete in the IndiHoops Tip Off Classic #IHTOC in Atlanta, the nation’s premier way to start of HS club basketball for the last 3 years running.
Thunderstruck/Nightrydaz opened up as the #1 15u team in the country at IHTOC.
While Dudley was the stud of IndiWorld1, a baby faced player named Scottie Barnes, would emerge and define the characteristic of GREATNESS STARTS HERE.
It was now apparent that Scottie was a GUARD at 6’8.
One of the precise moments could have been this dunk caught by the media company Green Light Views:
Scottie did not stop there, as he was then invited to U16 USA at the next stop, and made the team. Mr. Barnes finished up as a gold medalist for Team USA as an integral member of the final run.
As I write this in April of 2018, Scottie is the #5 player in the class of 2021 according to ESPN, helped his new High School team make it to the national championship of Dick’s Sporting Good final and looks to be on a clear cut path to the Mcdonalds All American game.
Scottie joins the IndiWorld Hall of Fame alongside his then teammate, Dudley Blackwell on IndiLockers.com
It could be there at a future Mcdonalds All American Game, where he could join an elite group and not to mention join Jaylen Hands (An IndiHoops Hall of Famer) who happened to be watching Scottie, Dudley and Thunderstruck group, win the championship that day in San Diego in August of 2016.
*** Both Scottie and Dudley would be challenged on their age - but were proven not only to be eligible, but also not even holdbacks and appropriate ages for their respective classes.
Stay tuned for more case studies as we countdown to IndiWorld3. For more on IndiWorld3 we have a full press release for you to read.
You can register your team and sign up for the IndiWorld3 final here: http://www.indilocker.com/indiworld
Are you in class of 2022? Make sure to register your IndiLocker at IndiLockers.com so you can become part of the legends and follow in Scottie Barnes footsteps one day.
Scouts and Media are welcome to sign up -- start reviewing and helping these players.
improve.
