In amazing fashion this past weekend, The Factory Arizona-based club program would win the exciting and competitive annual Pangos Sweet 16 event - winning two divisions in the event, both the 17U Invitational Division and the 16U Select Divisions for the event. Both 17U and 16U teams for the Factory excelled this weekend - winning both divisions for the event and bringing home the tournament titles, an amazing accomplishment by Factory Club Director Kenny Mullin's program.
The Factory 17U program won the top overall division of the event, the Invitational Division - defeating Riverside Matrix (CA) in the tournament final, 70-43. The Factory went undefeated in the event, and received a strong performance in the event from Paradise Valley High School's 6-foot-5, 180-pound senior wing Noah Sowunmi, an excellent sleeper prospect for the 2024 Class in the state. Sowunmi was selected as the Tournament Most Valuable Player after a strong overall performance in the tournament. Sowunmi played as the point guard the entire tournament for The Factory - showcasing his ballhandling skills and ability to score and facilitate for others.
The Factory also received strong and consistent play from Liberty's Ring Nyeri throughout the tournament. Ring has had an excellent spring and summer for himself, but has still yet to receive his just due level of college recruitment. Another strong weekend this up-and-coming weekend should be able to solidify his recruiting stock with Division-I college programs. The Factory also received a strong performance from Highland Prep's talented and tough 6-foot-4 senior guard Presley Ibeh. Ibeh has had a strong spring and summer for himself, and he is coming off two excellent performances in the Pangos Premier 80 and the Pangos Sweet 16. According to Mullins, Ibeh is now hearing from several Division-I programs in his recruitment.
The Factory also won the top division for the 16U age group, as The Factory would defeat the Salt Lake Rebels (UT) for the top Select Division 16U crown, 86-60. The Factory 16's would also go undefeated in the event, and would received a Tournament MVP performance from Prescott High School's gifted 5-foot-10 junior point guard Uriah Tenette (pictured). Tenette has been dominant in much of his play throughout the spring and summer, and he poured in big scoring numbers throughout the event - averaging 30 points per/contest in the event, and scoring a game-high 40 points in the semi-final game. Tenette continues to soar to new levels in his play, which should begin to benefit his college recruitment. The Factory also received strong performances from Prescott High School's 6-foot-10 junior post Zane Gaul, Central High School's 6-foot-1 junior guard Archie Graves and Paradise Honors HS 6-foot sophomore guard TJ Harris.
The Factory 17's and 16's will head to Las Vegas this weekend to take part in the Las Vegas Summer Championships, an NCAA Certified event - looking to raise the recruiting stock for many of their players. Congratulations to Coach Mullins and his staff, as well as the players on their tremendous accomplishment in the Pangos Sweet 16 event. Good luck to them this weekend.
