Hello Basketball World! How is everyone doing? High School basketball season is starting soon! And Team Final AAU season is right around the corner! Can’t wait!
Last Sunday night my Team Final Yellow played against Team Final Blue for the semi-finals at Competitive Edge. We lost by a few points, but it was a great game and both teams played to win and played their best. On Monday I had to finish two book reports that were due on Wednesday. Monday night I got up an hour’s worth of shots at a local high school gym with my dad. We did a lot of conditioning too. On Tuesday morning I worked out with Obe before school. My mom always buys me a Wegman’s bacon with egg sandwich afterwards. They are the best! Thanks mom for taking me to Obe’s so early in the morning before school!
I was off from school on Thursday and Friday because our teachers were attending a Teacher’s convention. Thursday night I played at the Coaches vs. Cancer all-star game at Plymouth Whitemarsh H.S. Thank you, Mr. Frank Murphy, for a great night of basketball for a good cause. I won the Sportsmanship Award for the game I played. The competition was great and everyone had a fun time. It was a great way to raise funds for cancer research.
On Friday morning I worked out with Obe. The entire hour we worked on strengthening our core. It was very hard, but I enjoyed it. Friday night I had a long work-out with Coach Derrick Mims. We worked on minimizing your dribble on the fast break. He told us that everywhere we go, whether it’s a game or practice, we should always compete and compete hard.
On Saturday my friend Talek Williams and I were invited by one of my favorite coaches, Coach Dre, to join members of Team Reading at the Jr. Funsport League in Brooklyn, NY. We beat the New York Dragons by over 20 points. I had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. My friend, Talek, was named Player of the Game for Team Reading. The next game was harder because we played against New Rens/Riverside. We beat them by 10 points. After that game I was named Player of the Game for Team Reading. So we both came back to Allentown feeling good!
We should always remember that basketball and other things that we do are great, but we should always put GOD first in our lives!
See you guys next week!
Name: Atiba Taylor
Hometown: Spring Valley, NY
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2018
Skillcase Analysis: Being rated in the Top 20 in America of everyone’s website didn’t make Taylor slack off in Atlantic City. He went extremely hard during the training session and also showed some grittiness during game play. At the Super Skillcase he showed his versatility by playing all five positions and producing. He did his usual scoring and dishing but he also led his team in rebounding. I loved the fact that he showed this mush effort considering his national rep.
Name: Titus Beard
Hometown: Willingboro. NJ
Position: Guard
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: Beard used the Super Skillcase to improve his skills and introduce himself to the rest of the region. He has blazing speed and the ability to drain the deep ball. He’s crafty and sees the floor with the best of them. It will be interesting to see what team in the region scoops up this young cub.
Name: Noah Harris
Hometown: Manalapan, NJ
Position: Combo Guard
Class: 2020
Skillcase Analysis: Harris showed his range inside the Atlantic City High School gym. He also got anywhere he wanted on the floor against the top competition. He on the other end, he played good on the ball defense and used his uncanny long arms to make deflections in the passing lanes. This budding youngster will be suiting up with CJ Hawks.
Name: Richie Greaves
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2020
Skillcase Analysis: Greaves showed his willingness to learn during the skills session in Atlantic City. During game play he was eager to show his point guard skills. Richie was unselfish for most of this event. He was looking to get his teammates involved even if he was the best option on the floor. It’s definitely refreshing to see a youngster playing this style at such a young age.
Name: Jaecee Martin
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Position:Point Guard
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: “Mayweather “ continued to show his dominance once again from the point guard slot. He shook the boots off of defenders and scored over the shot blockers in the lane. He’s unselfish by nature which is great trait for a point guard. I would like to see him take a few more outside shots to keep the defense honest and also move the ball more on the perimeter to keep the offense in motion.
Name: Tristan Patterson
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Position: Forward
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: Patterson had to be the most physically dominant player in this event. His strength and athleticism helped him score, play defense and rebound like a man child. I can see that Tristan has been working on his skill set lately because he was able to make more plays while facing the basket. He even pushed the rock up the floor a few times like he was playing the point guard position. He will only increase CBC’s chances of being one of the top teams in the country.
Name: Tyrese Jenkins
Hometown: Henrico, VA
Position: Forward
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: The gentle giant made his Spotlight debut with a splash. He can be considered a problem on both ends of the floor with his height and mass. Jenkins also has a soft touch and the knack of scoring inside. The opposition will need to worry down the road as Jenkins matures into a quality post player. He was a joy to watch and I look forward to seeing more of him.
Name: Joshua Pierre Louis
Hometown: Plainfield, NJ
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: Pierre Louis was one of the hardest workers in the gym. Josh has now stepped out of the shadow of Nate “The Great”. The lightning quick point guard used a low handle and explosiveness to get anywhere on the floor. This kid was a one man press break and used athleticism to finish off at the rim. Look out America, Josh is coming.
Name: El Khana Hildago
Hometown: Pennsauken, NJ
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2018
Skillcase Analysis: Hildago continues to show his improvement as a lead guard. He was very assertive and displayed some skills from the training session that stood out. He seems to have found the confidence to perform well on a high level. Now hopefully he will take this new swagger with him on the AAU circuit with a new improved Team Final 2018 squad.
Name: Quinton Drayton
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: Drayton was a pleasant surprise from the Potomac Valley. He has the smoothness to glide to the rim in transition or when slashing through the lane. He’s still a little raw when setting up moves to create space but its good not be to be a total package in the 8th Grade. His size and versatility makes him a promising prospect in which high level high school coaches will be reaching out for.
Name: Terrence Williams
Hometown: Clinton, MD
Position: Forward
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: “Big Smoove” stayed true to his name. As soon as you peg Williams to play under the basket he shows you his ability to perform like a guard. He runs the floor very quickly and enjoys dishing the rock. Williams also shows he understands how to break down defenders with dribble moves. But don’t be mistaken he will still stick his head inside the paint and cause damage. If Terrence uses the I’m Possible Training drills at home they will further his perimeter development.
Name: Raymond Bethea
Hometown: Atlantic City, NJ
Position: Combo Guard
Class: 2018
Skillcase Analysis: Raymond really showed he was willing to learn by working very hard during the skill session. I haven’t seen Bethea on the hardwood in a few years. The improvements in his game are so vast that I didn’t recognize him on the floor. His confidence enables him to make difficult plays on the floor and launch his soft jump shot. Now he must work on getting stronger to take care of the pill when handling in traffic.
Name: Cameron Cardwood
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Position: Forward
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: This kid had to lead the Skillcase in scoring. He not only has a nose for the ball but this youngster is a magnet. If he wasn’t grabbing rebounds for putbacks he was running the floor and receiving the pill in the right spot. He scored primarily around the basket with strong moves and simply out working the opposition. I can see him being a serious glue player for any team down the road.
Name: Mekhi Long
Hometown: Bryans Road, MD
Position: Combo Guard
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: Long performed so well we had to place him another squad to even things up. He’s stretching out physically and he used this length to his advantage. He scored easily over smaller defenders while getting into the lane at the blink of an eye. His slashing game will be one to watch for years to come.
Name: Spence Curto
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2019
Skillcase Analysis: During most of his first game Curto performed as the best player on the floor. He had it all clicking; outside shot, finishing in traffic, mid range floater and court vision. He also had enough wiggle to get rid of defenders. I like this kids spice and the eagerness he showed when battling some of the top players in the class.
Name: Andre Boykin
Hometown: Glendale, MD
Position: Forward
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: Boykin has extended his on the perimeter. He was eager to show off his three point range and ability to attack off the bounce. This is a good sign because he doesn’t know where he might max out in terms of size. Now he should look at working his perimeter defense (lateral foot speed) so he can defend smaller, quicker guards and forwards. Taking home some of the drills and techniques he learned at the Super Skillcase will begin the process.
Name: DJ Mitchell
Hometown: Hyattsville, MD
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: During the skill session DJ showed he could hang especially with the ball handling. Mitchell has what it takes to be a big time prospect. He’s a fluid wing guard with enough handle to get a clean look when he wants. He demonstrated this talent with a fade away jumper Kobe Bryant style. Mitchell runs with Team Takeover therefore we look for him to be a bona-fide star down the road. DJ Mitchell is a name to know.
Name: Aaron Thompson
Hometown: Glendale, MD
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: Thompson backed up his rep as one of the top point guards in America. He puts constant pressure on the defense while spoon feeding cutting teammates. It’s nearly impossible to keep him out the lane because of his wicked handle. He understands that his outside needs work therefore he doesn’t launch jumpers carelessly. He’s a coaches and teammates dream. This kid has been a winner on every level.
Name: Jermaine Samuels
Hometown: Franklin, MA
Position: Forward
Class: 2017
Skillcase Analysis: Samuels performed well while nursing a leg injury. He was able to contribute along the baseline and knockdown the face up jumper. Due to his injury he wasn’t as explosive as he has been in other events but he at 75% is better than most players at full throttle. Now he must continue to work on his perimeter skills including ball handling, shooting and creating off the dribble.
