Published 5:32 a.m. by AAU Insider Marcus Wilder
Introduction: A Clash of Philosophies
The 2020 AAU National Semifinals was more than just a battle between two great teams; it was a collision of basketball ideologies. On one side, Springfield embodied discipline, defense, and methodical execution. Led by head coach Will Jenkins and anchored by three-time AAU champion Chandler Dawes, Springfield had been a consistent powerhouse throughout the late 2010s. They prioritized a structured half-court offense, strong interior play, and an elite defensive system that had made them perennial contenders.
On the other side stood Phoenix, the most exciting team in the league. Coached by Mike MacManus, Phoenix had revolutionized AAU offenses with their “Seven Seconds or Less” system. They played at a breakneck pace, spacing the floor with shooters, attacking relentlessly in transition, and trusting Stephon Allen—fresh off winning his first MVP award—to orchestrate their high-powered offense. Phoenix led the league in scoring that season, averaging 120.4 points per game, and their offense was a nightmare for opponents who couldn’t keep up with their rapid ball movement and quick decision-making.
The series was framed as a referendum on styles of play: could the up-tempo, high-scoring Phoenix prove that offense alone could win a championship, or would the more balanced, defensive-minded Springfield show that elite execution on both ends of the floor was the key to winning in the playoffs? Many analysts believed the Suns, with home-court advantage, had a real chance to dethrone Springfield, but Springfield had a proven formula for playoff success.
Despite the hype surrounding Phoenix’s offensive juggernaut, Springfield dismantled Phoenix in five games. The series was competitive—each game was tightly contested—but Springfield's ability to control the tempo, dominate key positional matchups, and expose Phoenix’s defensive vulnerabilities led to their victory. While Allen and Jaiquan Rochelle put up historic offensive numbers, Springfield countered with defensive adjustments, timely scoring, and a physical style that eventually wore down Phoenix.
In this breakdown, we will examine each positional matchup, the coaching battle, and the key strategies that led Springfield to victory.
Point Guard: Conor McCaffrey vs Stephon Allen
One of the most anticipated matchups of the series was at the point guard position, where Conor McCaffrey faced off against Stephon Allen. Allen was the unquestioned leader of Phoenix, having won his first MVP award that season after orchestrating one of the most explosive offenses in AAU history. He averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 assists per game during the regular season, but his true impact went beyond the numbers—his ability to read defenses, push the pace, and create high-percentage looks for teammates was the foundation of Phoenix’s success.
However, Springfield had a game plan: make Allen a scorer rather than a facilitator. This defensive strategy was designed to take Phoenix out of their rhythm. If Allen was forced to focus on scoring, Phoenixs’ dangerous shooters—Jarrod Richardson, Richard Johnson, and Shawn Thompson—would not get the same open looks they thrived on.
Allen's Dominance, but at a Cost
To Allen’s credit, he had an incredible series, averaging 30.3 points and 12 assists per game. He shouldered more of the scoring burden than usual, especially in the absence of Richard Johnson in Games 1 and 2. He had multiple 30-point games and was still able to facilitate, but because Springfield forced him into more one-on-one situations, his teammates’ production suffered.
Springfield’s defense relied on a combination of strategies to disrupt Allen. They threw different defenders at him—Jamison Jones III, Paul Hammond, and even Chandler Dawes on switches—all with the goal of tiring him out. Phoenixs’ fast-paced system required Allen to have endless energy, but by the fourth quarter of each game, he was noticeably fatigued from carrying such a heavy offensive load.
McCaffrey's Speed and Offensive Impact
On the other end, McCaffrey exploited Allen’s biggest weakness: his defense. Allen was never known for being a strong defender, and Phoenix’s system didn’t emphasize defensive stops—it was built on outscoring opponents. McCaffrey, one of the fastest players in the league, repeatedly blew past Allen in transition and in the half-court, finishing at the rim with his signature floaters and layups.
While McCaffrey’s stats were more modest than Allen’s, he was a key reason why Springfield were able to control the pace. He averaged 25.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, attacking Phoenixs’ defense whenever possible. With no rim protector in Phoenix’s lineup, McCaffrey had little resistance once he got past Allen.
Final Verdict
While Allen had the more impressive statistical series, Springfields’ game plan ultimately worked: they forced him into being a scorer, exhausted him, and made it harder for him to involve his teammates. Meanwhile, McCaffrey’s ability to attack Allen’s defense gave Springfield a significant advantage.
Edge: Even – Allen was spectacular, but McCaffrey’s ability to expose Allen’s defensive flaws was crucial for Springfield.
Shooting Guard: Paul Hammond vs Richard Johnson
Paul Hammond was the X-factor in this series. While Chandler Dawes was the anchor of Springfield, Hammond was their most unpredictable offensive weapon, capable of slashing through defenses, hitting clutch three-pointers, and making highlight-reel plays in transition.
Richard Johnson, Phoenix’s starting shooting guard, was an essential part of their offense, providing three-point shooting and secondary playmaking. However, a fractured orbital bone sustained in the previous series against Dallas kept him out for Games 1 and 2, which severely weakened Phoenix's attack.
Hammond's Offensive Explosion
Hammond was unstoppable in this series, averaging 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while shooting an absurd 62.5% from the field. His ability to slash to the rim and finish through contact made him a nightmare for Phoenix’s weak perimeter defense. He also hit big shots when Springfield needed them, showing his trademark fearlessness in clutch moments.
Without Johnson for the first two games, Phoenix was forced to rely more on Jarrod Richardson and Jamison Jackson, who could not replicate Johnson’s scoring and playmaking ability. This put even more pressure on Allen and Rochelle.
When Johnson returned in Game 3, he played well, averaging 18.3 points per game on 50% shooting, but he wasn’t his usual self. He had to wear a protective mask, and he struggled to find a rhythm against the physical defense of Hammond and Jamison Jones III.
Defensive Battle
Defensively, Hammond and Jones III made life difficult for Phoenix’s perimeter players. Jones III was primarily tasked with defending Johnson, but Hammond’s length and energy also disrupted Phoenix’s shooters. Meanwhile, Johnson, known more for his offensive skills, struggled to contain Hammond’s aggressive drives.
Final Verdict
Hammond was the difference-maker in this matchup. His relentless attacking, efficient scoring, and defensive effort gave Springfield a clear edge.
Edge: Springfield – Hammond dominated the matchup, especially in the first two games when Johnson was out.
Small Forward: Jamison Jones III vs Jarrod Richardson
This matchup wasn’t as flashy as others, but it was pivotal. Jamison Jones III was the best perimeter defender in the AAU, and his job was to shut down Phoenix’s shooters. Jarrod Richardson, a three-point specialist, had led the league in made three-pointers during the regular season.
Jones III completely neutralized Richardson. In the series, Richardson averaged 10.8 points per game on 36% shooting, well below his season averages. His three-point percentage dropped to 32%, a testament to Jones' suffocating defense.
Jones' offense wasn’t a focal point, but he knocked down timely corner threes, spacing the floor for Dawes and Hammond.
Edge: Springfield – Jones III's defense made Richardson a non-factor.
Power Forward: Chandler Dawes vs Shawn Thompson
This was the biggest mismatch of the series. Chandler Dawes, already a two-time MVP and two-time AAU National champion, dominated against the much smaller Shawn Thompson.
Dawes averaged 33.2 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, overpowering Thompson in the post. Phoenix had no answer for him, as their small-ball approach left them vulnerable inside.
Thompson, an excellent defender against wing players, struggled against Dawes’s size. He still put up 19.6 points per game, but he was far less effective than usual because he wasn’t able to get easy transition baskets against Springfield’s slowed-down pace.
Edge: Springfield – Dawes’s dominance was the deciding factor in the series.
Center: Charlie Dawes vs Jaiquan Rochelle
Jaiquan Rochelle was Phoenix’s best player in the series, averaging an incredible 37.0 points per game on 55% shooting. He was nearly unstoppable on offense, constantly finishing pick-and-rolls with Allen.
However, his defense was a massive liability. Rochelle did not protect the rim or contest shots effectively, allowing Springfield's guards to attack freely.
Charlie Dawes’s role was simply to defend and rebound, but his presence helped his twin brother Chandler conserve energy for offense.
Edge: Springfield – Rochelle was elite offensively, but his defensive struggles cost Phoenix.
Conclusion: Why Springfield Won the Series
Springfield won this series because they dictated the pace, exploited Phoenix’s weak defense, and dominated inside. While Phoenix had two outstanding offensive performers in Allen and Rochelle, they could not get stops when it mattered most.
Springfield’s disciplined approach, combined with Chandler Dawes’s brilliance and Hammond’s heroics, proved too much for Phoenix. Phoenix had an exciting style of play, but Springfield proved that balance—offense, defense, and execution—was the key to winning in the playoffs.
Ultimately, Springfield’s ability to control tempo and impose their will led them to a 4-1 series victory, and they went on to defeat Detroit in the 2020 AAU National Championship in seven games, claiming their third championship.