East Meets West: Metroball OBG Elite and Kekela Win the Inaugural 3Stripes Gold Finals

The champions of the 3Stripes Gold East and West circuits met in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on July 16, 2026, for the first annual Gold: East vs. West 3Stripes Gold Finals.

Each game matched a 3Stripes Gold East champion against its West counterpart. Metroball OBG Elite represented the East by winning the 15U and 16U Finals, while Hawaii’s Kekela earned the 17U championship for the West.

17U Final: Kekela Pulls Away from EG10

Kekela (HI) 70, EG10 Basketball (IN) 58

Kekela broke open a competitive game by outscoring EG10, 39–27, in the second half. A 9–0 run coming out of halftime shifted the momentum and allowed the Gold West champion to take control.

Kekela shot 54.2 percent from the field behind efficient performances from Tanoaalofa Scanlan and Ronin Naihe. Scanlan finished with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists while shooting 8-of-10 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Naihe added 18 points, six rebounds and two steals. Declan Beckette helped organize the offense with 10 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals.

EG10 continued to compete behind Devin Bolden, who recorded 13 points and eight rebounds. Jeremiah Jones-Murphy added 12 points, while Braden Reynolds scored 11 and connected on two 3-pointers.

17U Most Valuable Player

Tanoaalofa Scanlan | 2027 | 6’6″ Guard/Wing | Kekela

23 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST | 8-10 FG | 6-6 FT

Scanlan showed why he is becoming a national player to watch in the 2027 class. The Hawaii Division I State Player of the Year controlled the game with his strength, length and competitive nature, creating matchup problems every time he touched the ball. He consistently played through contact, controlled the painted area and made winning plays on both ends. When EG10 attempted to make a run, Scanlan responded by taking control and helping Kekela close out the championship.

17U All-Tournament Team

Braden Reynolds | 2027 | 6’7″ Forward | EG10 Basketball

11 PTS | 4 REB | 2 3PM | 1 BLK

Reynolds brings good size and length to the forward position, allowing him to contribute inside and away from the basket. He made two 3-pointers in the Final while providing EG10 with additional rebounding and rim protection. 

Declan Beckette | 2027 | 6’4″ Guard/Wing | Kekela

10 PTS | 6 REB | 9 AST | 3 STL

Beckette is a smart, versatile player whose impact goes well beyond scoring. He delivered one of the most important performances of the Final with nine assists, consistently creating quality looks and keeping Kekela’s offense organized. He plays with poise, makes the right reads under pressure and can operate on the perimeter or compete inside.

Devin Bolden | 2027 | 6’8″ Forward | EG10 Basketball

13 PTS | 8 REB | 6-9 FG | 1 STL

Bolden anchored EG10 with his combination of size, versatility and consistent production. He controlled the glass, provided a strong presence around the basket and finished efficiently against Kekela. His touch, physical tools and developing perimeter game allow him to impact the game in several ways on both ends of the floor.

Jeremiah Jones-Murphy | 2027 | 6’0″ Guard | EG10 Basketball

12 PTS | 2 REB | 1 AST | 5-7 FG

Jones-Murphy is a quick, aggressive guard who puts pressure on the defense. He looked to push the pace early against Kekela, but as the game settled in, he adjusted by organizing EG10’s offense and getting the team into quality sets. His ability to get downhill, navigate traffic and attack the basket provided EG10 with a steady presence at the guard position.

Ronin Naihe | 2027 | 6’6″ Guard | Kekela

18 PTS | 6 REB | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 7-12 FG

Naihe continued his strong July after earning Gold West MVP honors the week before. At 6’6″, he creates matchup problems with the skill set of a guard, knocking down pull-up jumpers and 3-pointers while using his length to attack the basket. His physicality, defensive versatility and willingness to compete on every possession helped set the tone for Kekela.

16U Final: Metroball Controls the Painted Area

Metroball OBG Elite (FL) 73, Team Right Now (NV) 63

Metroball OBG Elite established an early advantage with a 10–0 run and carried an eight-point lead into halftime. Team Right Now remained within reach, but Metroball’s size, physicality and activity around the painted area proved decisive.

Metroball finished with a 47–29 rebounding advantage while collecting 10 steals and five blocks. Alexis Fuentes led the way with a double-double, recording 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.

Jahmar Maurice scored 15 points, while Mayar Dhieu added 14 points and eight rebounds. Austin Turner kept Team Right Now competitive with a game-high 23 points, six rebounds and two blocks. CJ Edwards contributed 19 points and three 3-pointers.

16U Most Valuable Player

Alexis Fuentes | 2028 | 6’5″ Forward | Metroball OBG Elite

14 PTS | 10 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK

Fuentes is the type of forward who impacts every part of the game, and it consistently shows up in the box score. He scored efficiently in the first half before taking control of the glass after the break, helping Metroball finish the championship. His physicality and defensive presence set the tone, while his combination of size, feel and skill allows him to handle the ball, make smart passes and score around the basket or from the mid-range.

16U All-Tournament Team

Austin Turner | 2028 | 6’5″ Wing | Team Right Now

23 PTS | 6 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK

Turner is a long, versatile wing who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He uses his length to defend multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes and challenge shots. Offensively, he handles the ball well enough to create opportunities, finishes through traffic and can knock down shots from the perimeter.

CJ Edwards | 2028 | 5’10” Guard | Team Right Now

19 PTS | 4 REB | 3 3PM | 1 STL

Edwards is a tough, intelligent guard who plays with confidence and composure. He attacks the painted area with purpose, using good body control to finish through contact or earn trips to the free-throw line. His perimeter shooting was also important in the Final, as he connected on three 3-pointers and helped Team Right Now remain within reach.

Jahmar Maurice | 2028 | 5’11” Guard | Metroball OBG Elite

15 PTS | 5 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK

Maurice is a strong, physical guard who made his presence felt when the game mattered most. After earning Gold East Finals MVP the week before, he delivered another big performance by taking over in the second half and helping Metroball secure the victory. He gets downhill with a quick first step, finishes through contact and has enough shooting ability to keep defenses honest.

Jayden Howard | 2028 | 6’0″ Guard | Team Right Now

9 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL

Howard is a quick, crafty guard who changes speeds well and consistently looks to create paint touches. He can push the ball in transition, slow down to read the defense and organize the offense when the game settles. His rebounding and defensive activity also stood out against Metroball.

Mayar Dhieu | 2028 | 6’7″ Wing | Metroball OBG Elite

14 PTS | 8 REB | 1 STL | 6-10 FG

Dhieu is a long, athletic wing whose length and explosiveness gave Team Right Now problems throughout the game. He attacks the basket with force, finishes through contact and plays above the rim. He also showed the ability and willingness to face up, put the ball on the floor and create his own scoring opportunities.

15U Final: Metroball Finishes Strong Against TWE

Metroball OBG Elite (FL) 76, TWE Basketball (TX) 68

The opening game of the East vs. West Finals featured several lead changes before Metroball created separation in the second half. Its rebounding, defensive activity and free-throw shooting helped secure the victory.

Metroball held a 40–26 advantage on the glass, forced 14 turnovers and made 17 of its 23 free throws. Enzo Lee delivered the decisive performance with 24 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. He made all three of his 3-point attempts and converted 9-of-10 attempts at the free-throw line.

Gaetan DuPont added a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. TWE remained competitive behind Cayden Broomes, who scored 20 points and made three 3-pointers, and Charlie Imsais, who contributed 15 points, four rebounds and five assists.

15U Most Valuable Player

Enzo Lee | 2029 | 5’11” Guard | Metroball OBG Elite

24 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 3-3 3PT | 9-10 FT

Lee is a crafty guard who plays with great pace and confidence. He uses a tight handle and changes speeds to keep defenders off balance, consistently getting into the painted area and creating quality scoring opportunities. He is comfortable pulling up off the dribble, makes the right reads when the defense collapses and controls the tempo with a calm, mature approach.

15U All-Tournament Team

Alex Scott | 2029 | 6’7″ Forward | TWE Basketball

11 PTS | 9 REB | 4 AST | 5 BLK | 1 STL

Scott is a versatile forward with the size and feel to impact the game in several ways. He sees the floor well, consistently makes the extra pass and creates opportunities for teammates. His length and activity make him a strong rebounder and rim protector, while his ability to defend multiple positions and finish around the basket allows him to contribute on both ends.

Brian Gonzalez | 2029 | 5’10” Guard | Metroball OBG Elite

8 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK

Gonzalez is a high-energy guard who makes an impact with his defensive activity and ability to push the ball in transition. He anticipates well in the passing lanes, competes at the point of attack and quickly turns defensive stops into scoring opportunities. He can run the offense with the ball in his hands or work away from it as a perimeter threat.

Cayden Broomes | 2029 | 6’3″ Guard | TWE Basketball

20 PTS | 3 REB | 3 3PM | 1 BLK

Broomes is a polished scorer with the size and skill to create difficult matchups. He attacks the basket with purpose, gets to his spots for controlled mid-range pull-ups and has the confidence to knock down shots from beyond the arc. His 20-point performance kept TWE within striking distance throughout the Final.

Charlie Imsais | 2029 | 6’0″ Guard | TWE Basketball

15 PTS | 4 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK

Imsais is a strong, versatile guard who contributes as a scorer, passer and defender. He plays with good energy, competes through contact and makes unselfish decisions in the half court. He connected on two 3-pointers and recorded five assists in the Final, showing his ability to create for himself and his teammates.

Gaetan DuPont | 2029 | 6’5″ Forward | Metroball OBG Elite

15 PTS | 10 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL

DuPont is a powerful forward who plays with a relentless motor and consistently impacts the game through his physicality and effort. He controls the glass, finishes strong around the basket and brings energy on every possession. He can also step away from the painted area and knock down perimeter shots, adding another dimension to his offensive game.

2026 Gold: East vs. West Finals Champions

17U: Kekela (HI) — West
16U: Metroball OBG Elite (FL) — East
15U: Metroball OBG Elite (FL) — East

The first annual Gold: East vs. West 3Stripes Gold Finals brought together six regional champions for three competitive matchups. Metroball OBG Elite earned two victories for the East, while Kekela’s second-half surge in the 17U Final secured a win for the West and closed the inaugural event in Rock Hill.