Trae Young 3SSB Outlasts SMAC Future on ESPN

The championship game of the Run 4 Roses Classic in Louisville, KY, was a thrilling contest broadcast live on ESPN, featuring two elite teams from the top bracket: Team Trae Young 17U 3SSB and SMAC Future E40. Both teams, matched closely in skill and size, delivered an exciting finale to the tournament.

Key Matchups

The spotlight was on two of the top point guards of the tournament: Caitlin Holmes of SMAC Future and Rieyan DeSouze of Team Trae Young. Another anticipated showdown was between the combo guards McKenzie Mathurin of Team Trae Young and Olivia Klanac of SMAC Future. Both teams had battled fiercely in the semi-finals to reach this stage, each vying for the title of the best team in the building.

First Half Highlights

McKenzie Mathurin opened the scoring with a three-pointer.
“Maddi Stewart dominated the boards and scored with an “”and-one”” at the rim.”
Sydney Bass made a key steal and finished with a tough transition basket.
“Rieyan DeSouze converted an “”and-one”” after attacking her defender.”
Hailey Rees** hit a crucial three-pointer to keep SMAC in the game.
Mathurin showcased her skills with a nifty reverse layup on the baseline.
Caitlin Holmes found Olivia Klanac in transition for an open three-pointer.
Mathurin answered with a deep three-pointer.
Sydney Bass matched it with a timely three-pointer from the right corner.
Rieyan DeSouze used her crafty handle to score an easy basket under pressure.
Stewart continued to dominate inside, scoring at will and making two free throws to close the half.

Halftime Score: Team Trae Young led 33-31.

Second Half Highlights

Olivia Klanac opened the second half with a deep three-pointer from the left wing.
Team Trae Young quickly responded with an easy fast-break layup.
Caitlin Holmes** found **Kennedi Neale** on a backdoor cut for a reverse layup.
Hailey Rees aggressively attacked the baseline to score on the right side.
Klanac stole the ball from Mathurin, leading to an easy transition layup for SMAC.
Both teams continued to trade baskets until Rieyan DeSouze hit a deep three-pointer to narrow the SMAC lead.
Mathurin then hit a clutch three-pointer to give Team Trae Young a 55-54 lead.

Final Score

The game was hard-fought and entertaining, but Team Trae Young made fewer mistakes and scored more crucial points to win the game 61-58.

Leading Scorers

SMAC Future E40: Hailey Rees (16 points), Olivia Klanac (13 points)
Team Trae Young 17U 3SSB: McKenzie Mathurin (21 points), Maddi Stewart (20 points)

Team Trae Young finished the Run 4 Roses Classic with a perfect 5-0 record.