The Generation Next Invitational Championships at Homestead High School got going with a head of steam friday night by way of several top notch performances from young athletes in the region. Christian Graham and Melvin Lee were wizards with the ball in their hands, while Zach Zavada, Patrick McCaffery, Andrew Lewis and others had great efforts in various ways for their teams. Here’s a look at a number of top performers from opening night in Mequon, WI.

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RELATED ARTICLES
2013 GNIC - DAY 1 RECAP - PART 1
2013 GNIC - DAY 1 RECAP - PART 2
2013 GNIC - DAY 1 RECAP - PART 3

JUSTIN BOYD - 2018 - SF - CHICAGO FURY
6-0 - MURRAY LANGUAGE ACADEMY - CHICAGO, IL
Boyd came off the bench for Fury and was a major contributor. The 2018 small forward showed athleticism and fearlessness as he battled non-stop on the glass. Boyd was also exceptional from beyond the arc offensively, knocking down three triples that blazed the nets on the way down, and added a few more points for a total of 12 points.

COURTNEY GOOD - 2017 - G/F - HKBT
5-9 - WISCONSIN LUTHERAN H.S. - MILWAUKEE, WI
Good played really well to kick off the tournament for HKBT. Good was aggressive offensively, constantly attacking the rim and finishing in traffic by concentrating and going up strong. The young guard played solid defense, got some steals and got the ball out in transition where he either scored or pushed it up to teammates. Good had 10 points.

CHRISTIAN GRAHAM - 2017 - PG - CHICAGO FURY
5-4 - ST. RITA H.S. - CHICAGO, IL
Graham was sensational running the offense and battling on defense in the Fury’s hard-fought victory to close opening night. The floor general was piecing plays together masterfully at times, penetrating to the interior and using his great vision to make pivotal passes. Graham shelled out a number of assists and kept the flow of the game in Fury’s favor throughout.

DARTANYON HARRIS - 2017 - PG - HKBT
5-3 - NORTH DIVISION H.S. - MILWAUKEE, WI
Harris had a really strong game shooting the ball in HKBT’s opening game. Running the show for his team, Harris showed good handles, was very quick when on the attack and was lights out at times during the game. HKBT’s lead guard dropped in 15 points off 3 three’s and a couple other nice baskets on the break.

MATTHEW HICKEY - 2019 - C - PLAYGROUND WARRIORS
5-9 - OSHKOSH, WI
Hickey was awesome all game long for Playground Elite as they made a huge comeback in the second half. The young center helped get his team in contention with strong play on the interior, rebounded the ball really well and finished from the post with his back to the basket and rolling to the hoop. Good skill-set and soft touch around the hoop made Hickey tough to defend inside all game long.

MELVIN LEE - 2017 - PG - PLAYGROUND ELITE-DEBAKKER
5-6 - MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE H.S. - MILWAUKEE, WI
Melvin Lee is one of the young point guards making big waves in Wisconsin as he continues to develop and Friday night was no exception. Lee was all over the court, getting the job done on both ends with his quick hands and feet defensively and smooth speed offensively. Lee had a great handle with the ball in his hands, saw the entire floor and was able to get teammates like big man Joevon Walker involved early and often, while also taking advantage of his own scoring transitions. Later, he showed off some range as well, knocking down a three confidently and finished the game with 11 points and a handful of assists.

ANDREW LEWIS - 2017 - G - PLAYGROUND ELITE
5-9 - MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE H.S. - MILWAUKEE, WI
Lewis is an emerging young talent, and he put his skills on display to cap the night against Fury. Lewis did a really good job being active around the glass getting his hands in the mix for rebounds or tip-outs to get teammates rebounds. Also on offense, Lewis used his length and quick first step to attack the rim from different angles and finish from a couple different levels 14-feet and in. Solid outing for Lewis who is sure to continue the effort throughout the weekend.

PATRICK MCCAFFERY - 2018 - SG - IOWA BARNSTORMERS
5-11 - IOWA CITY, IA
McCaffery was tremendous for the Barnstormers in an opening game victory to start the tournament. McCaffery dropped in a couple three-point baskets confidently and efficiently to get things going and once on fire, he was nearly unstoppable most of the way out. The talented guard penetrated off the bounce with good shot fakes and quick step towards the hoop where he either finished all the way or hit the tear-drop runner accurately.

JAMISON NIKOLAI - 2021 - SF - WI SHOOTERS
5-1 - SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI
Nikolai got off to a good start with a solid effort in the Shooters’ landslide win. Nikolai scored a couple baskets in transition, but was even more impressive knocking down jump shots with a good looking release point for a youngster. He finished the contest with 12 points and a good rhythm moving into the second day of the event.

ZACH ZAVADA - 2017 - SG - WI SWISH
6-2 - PIUS XI H.S. - MENOMONEE FALLS, WI
Zavada was sensational for Swish as they played tough and gritty through most of the game and then pulled away late behind Zavada’s steady play. Zavada crashed the glass and shared the ball at times in the game but really left his mark from the perimeter with a hot hand. Zavada drilled 4 trey’s with ice in his veins, knocked down another shot and added a pair of free throws to walk away with 16 points and the victory.

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