Halifax YHZ U15 Boys Go Undefeated at U16 Rockets Rush Tournament

Written by Andrew Sharpe

Halifax’s YHZ U15 boys started their summer club season off with a bang, going an unchallenged 4–0 at the U16 Rockets Rush tournament this past weekend in Dartmouth. Led by 20-year veteran coach Vince Williams, who also assists at the University of King’s College, YHZ is playing a competitive schedule, as they travel to the Made Hoops New England Clash in Boston this weekend and the Canadian National Invitational Tournament in Burlington, ON in July.

The team is led by School Sport Nova Scotia Metro Division One Rookie of the Year candidate, 6’2” 2028 G Josiah Clyke—a physical, athletic slasher who plays for Dartmouth High—and 6’3” 2028 forward Max MacDonald, an oversized, physical 3 with a nice touch at the rim, who played last season at Halifax Grammar.

2028 6’0” PG Dylan Cameron and 2028 5’10” Blake Lloyd are the standout pivots. Cameron is a tenacious on-ball defender with a handle who relishes the “White Chocolate” highlight pass. Coach Williams expects he will challenge for the starting PG position at CP Allen this year, adding that “he reminds me of their head coach, Steve Harris, back when he played.”

Lloyd brings the ball up at Lockport High School and is more of a high-IQ game manager. Coach Williams is high on Lloyd as well, saying, “He has the potential to be one of the best point guards in the province. He can facilitate and is strong with the ball.”

2028 6’2” wing Eli Fredericks is one to watch. This athletic defender has a nose for rebounds and has done very well to hang with the big boys, considering this upcoming Grade 11 season will be his first foray into high school basketball.

YHZ is proving Team Nova Scotia isn’t the only NS team to watch this summer. This squad brings a high level of compete and physicality that will be tough to beat in the region. Coach Williams says they will continue to play up with U16s to ensure they are challenged. It will be very interesting to see how they fare in this weekend’s U.S. tournament.