2024 MHC Program Year in Review: Team Takeover National
September 9, 2024 by Colby Giacubeno
The 2024 MHC Program Year in Review series has made its way to Team Takeover National, a program stemming with a tremendous history of winning and setting a high standard in the grassroots scene. The spring of 2024 was no different and with their approach of having a couple of younger prospects on their 17U squad, it’s more than likely that they’ll sustain their success heading into next spring.
This year’s 17U roster was arguably the deepest in the circuit when you consider head coach Chuck Henry could legitimately utilize a 11-to-12 man rotation. I wouldn’t say there was one particular prospect that could be labeled as ‘the guy.’ Instead, every player embraced their role and took advantage of their minutes to grind opposing teams with shorter rotations down only for a fresh five to sub in and continue the onslaught. 2025 wing Elijah Flowers’ upside was flashed with regularity as the 6-foot-8 senior made his presence known offensively with shot-making and defensively, his length contributed to him being a versatile piece. 2025 Mo Tanedo set a tone from an on-ball standpoint as the floor general who brought his hardhat to the defensive side and used his constant paint touches to create easy looks for others. The 2025 guard duo of Tremain Rowles and Ryan Lewis proved extremely valuable as circuit play progressed. Rowles was a sniper from the wings off the catch while providing tough-nosed defensive play in the passing lanes. Davis could mix it up offensively, but his calling card was his on-ball defensive pressure with the combination of quick feet and active hands.
The leader of this group was 2025 guard Caleb Gillus. A disciplined, strong and defensive-minded guard that was never hesitant in giving up his body to take a charge, dive on the floor for 50/50s or get downhill and absorb contact in the air to earn a trip to the charity stripe. In the paint, 2025 duo of Liberty Fusire and Jacob Moore made evident progressions in their games at both ends while Doran Clausell took on the role of a skilled utility wing that contributed to winning beyond the box score.
Looking ahead, the experience that 2026 Geremy Clark and 2026 Mason Douglas gained by playing up on the 17U level will serve to be a huge advantage next spring. Clark will step in as the full-time lead guard while Douglas will keep his finger on the shooting trigger as he did once he joined the team after recovering from injury and confidently bury triples from way beyond the three-point line.
As for 16U, there weren’t many more entertaining guard duos than 2026 Colin Byrd and 2027 Ben Edmonds. Byrd is an intense combo guard who plays with infectious passion. That passion bleeds through in his defensive tenacity and his approach as an aggressive scorer. Edmonds surprised plenty this spring and summer with his wiggle and craft on the ball. He consistently gets his defender on their heels with a quick crossover or step-back and has the body control and burst to knock down pull-ups or get to the rim for acrobatic lay-ups.
2026 forward Bryton Barrett remains one of the more intriguing prospects thanks to his combination of size, length and budding skill. Barrett put together spurts throughout the summer that hinted the potential is turning into consistent production.