HOOP GROUP HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE, PART II
BY JEFF BORZELLO
Although the Hoop Group Showcase at Rutgers University was chock-full of surprises throughout the two-day tournament, the ending did not catch anyone off-guard. Led by the 2010 duo of Markus Kennedy and Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s steamrolled its way through the field, culminating in a dominant victory over Windsor (CT) in the championship game. However, the tournament was not without surprises, as only 50 percent of the expected Final Four of St. Pat’s, St. Benedict’s, St. Anthony and Paterson Catholic actually reached the semifinals. St. Anthony, playing without Dominic Cheek, bowed out to NIA School White in the third round, while PC’s great comeback fell short against Susquehanna Twp (Pa.) in the third round as well.
One thing to note: most of the top teams were not at full strength, as several players were elsewhere this past weekend. Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable teams and players from the two-day showcase in part two of our showcase review.
For part one: Hoop Group High School Showcase, Part I.
Paterson Catholic (N.J.): After watching Paterson Catholic play its first half against Milford Mill Academy (Md.), I thought that they might be the best team at the tournament. They were causing turnovers everywhere, using their length and athleticism to simply overmatch the opposition. They jumped out to a 29-16 lead, and were still up 43-28. However, they began forcing shots and could not seem to score in the half-court, which allowed Milford to come back. PC eventually won, 71-65, but their problems caught up to them against Susquehanna Twp (Pa.). The underrated Pennsylvania program got off to a quick start against the boys from Paterson, and the game seemed to be in the big. However, PC mounted an enormous comeback in the second half before falling short in what was an outstanding game overall.
Scouting Report: Fuquan Edwin (6-5, 2010)
He really does everything well, and might be the best of the 2010 bunch when all is said and done. He is long and athletic and has good body control. He needs to gain some muscle weight so he can stronger going to the basket and on the backboards. He can shoot the three and also has a great pull-up jumper and mid-range game.
School List: Texas, Seton Hall, Rutgers
Scouting Report: Shaquille Thomas (6-7, 2010)
One of the most impressive players on the team, he is quickly rising in my eyes. The nephew of Tim Thomas, Shaquille is an outstanding all-around player who can finish around the rim with both hands. He really scores the ball well going to the basket, but can also pull up and knock down jumpers. Thomas is a good passer and can handle the ball when running the break or in the half-court. Defensively, he is a solid shot-blocker because of his strength and athleticism.
School List: Fordham, Xavier, Kansas, Providence, Seton Hall
Scouting Report: Jayon James (6-6, 2010)
James is a point-forward type of player who can handle the ball and initiate the half-court offense, but also take smaller defenders down to the block and score inside. He is a big player, but he has very good leaping ability and block shots. His best attribute, however, is his tremendous passing ability and vision. For someone his size, his ability to find open teammates is outstanding.
School List: Seton Hall, Rutgers, Xavier, La Salle, Fordham
Scouting Report: Trevor Clemmings (6-6, 2010)
Clemmings was one of the few true post players at the Showcase, and he dominated the paint as a result. He has very good post moves and can finish around the rim. He draws fouls at a high rate, but contact does not really affect him when he is going up to score. He is extremely strong and has good hands. He is not as effective in an up-and-down game, but that is to be expected. He can block shots defensively, and intimidates opponents at that end.
School List: Seton Hall, Rutgers
Scouting Report: Lance Brown (6-3, 2009)
The elder statesman of the group, Brown is also the lone committee. He is the leader on the court, and is a very solid all-around player. He has great leaping ability and can score in transition very well. Defensively, he reads passing lanes well, picking up steals that lead to transition points. He is strong and has a good build.
School List: Committed to Fordham
Scouting Report: Myles Mack (5-9, 2011)
I’ve seen Mack play better than he did this past weekend, but he still showed his ability to knock down the three at a consistent clip. He gets good lift on his jumper and has deep range. He played some point for PC when he was in the game, but he made several poor decisions, leading to turnovers. Defensively, he has quick hands and can rack up steals.
Plainfield (N.J.): If you’re looking for a team that has the goods to be a top team in New Jersey – public school, of course – this could be the one. Plainfield has an outstanding backcourt trio in Isaiah Epps (2010), Tyrone Johnson (2011) and Tyrone Baskerville (2009). Those three guards are going to lead Plainfield to numerous wins in the upcoming winter. They did just that this past weekend, as Plainfield made it to the semifinals before falling in overtime to Windsor (CT) in a classic game. They opened with a win over Newburgh Free Academy, and then followed that with a solid victory over Christian Brothers Academy. In the quarterfinals, Plainfield caught a break by not having to play St. Anthony, and took full advantage, knocking off Susquehanna Twp (Pa.). Against Windsor in the Final Four, Plainfield fell behind in the first half, going down 48-35 at halftime as Epps had just four points. He single-handedly led the comeback, though, tying the game up at 55 less than four minutes into the second half. A back-and-forth last few minutes put the game into overtime – which was more like the first half than the second. Epps could not get anything going in the extra period, and Windsor took advantage, winning 92-89 in arguably the best game of the tournament.
Scouting Report: Isaiah Epps (6-2, 2010)
Let’s get this out of the way from the outset: I think Epps was the best player at the Hoop Group Showcase this past weekend. From the second I saw him continuously drive past defender after defender, I was hooked. He was absolutely exceptional in the second half against Windsor, despite the loss. He is extremely quick and very fast with the ball, which enables him to burst past opponents for open lay-ups in both the half-court and in transition. The lefty can finish with both hands, but clearly prefers to go left. He has outstanding body control, and was able to adjust his shot in mid-air on a number of occasions. He has tremendous handle and beat defenders with a great crossover. Epps is very smooth with the ball, and also has a silky stroke on his jumper. The shooter has deep range on his three-point shot, but also can pull-up and knock down mid-range jumpers. When defenders came too close, he exhibited a nice pump-fake and then drove by them. He is not just a scorer, either. He is long and athletic, which helps him on the defensive end when he is trying to get into passing lanes. Epps has good vision and is a solid passer, and he also chipped in on the glass, grabbing several rebounds. On the other side, Epps sometimes drove into the lane without options and without a destination. Furthermore, he constantly went left; there remains a question as to whether Epps can drive to his right.
School List: Maryland, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Rutgers
- Maryland was the leader heading into his visit this week
Quotable: “I thought I had a great tournament. [My strength is] my left hand. You can’t guard me going to the left; I need to work on my right hand, though.”
Scouting Report: Tyrone Johnson (6-3, 2011)
Overshadowed by the outstanding Epps, Johnson also had an outstanding game against Windsor, scoring 27 points. Although not as flashy or as smooth as his teammate, he consistently got to the basket and either finished or got fouled. He showed the ability to score with contact. Johnson attacks the basket very well, and can get into the lane against anyone. He is deceptively quick, and can also handle the ball well. He can run the break in transition, but can also initiate the half-court offense and bring the ball up. Johnson has good leaping ability and he attacks the offensive glass on nearly every missed shot. His athleticism enabled him to corral several rebounds at both ends of the court. He is also a good passer, and showed he could find the open man in transition.
School List: Georgetown, Duke (according to Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball)
Seton Hall Prep (N.J.): Although Seton Hall is not going to as good as it was in recent years, Sterling Gibbs will make sure they stay in the hunt. They opened the tournament with an easy win over Ridgefield Park (N.J.). It was only 30-26 at halftime, but Prep pulled away in the second half en route to a 61-40 win. Gibbs had 20 points. In the third round, Seton Hall knocked off White Plains, setting up a potential upset battle with St. Patrick’s. Well, not so much. Gibbs had just eight points and seemed frustrated throughout the game as St. Pat’s overcame a slow start to blow Prep out in the second half.
Scouting Report: Sterling Gibbs (6-1, 2011)
Gibbs had an up-and-down tournament, playing very well against Ridgefield Park in the opener, but looking frustrated in the loss to St. Patrick’s. Overall, Gibbs is a very quiet and calm player, both on and off the court. He usually stretches and prepares for the game by himself, and does not talk much during the game. He was constantly face-guarded and struggled to get open against bigger and longer defenders. However, once he gets the ball, he is tough to stop. He finishes well around the rim and has good body control. He really knows how to use his body on lay-ups, and showed the ability to finish even with contact and/or getting fouled. Gibbs has a quick first step and doesn’t waste dribbles offensively. He is a good passer with vision, and also ran the offense effectively. On the other side, he got posted up and boxed out several times because of his small stature. While he is a good perimeter defender and can read passing lanes, he got lost at times on that side of the ball. Offensively, he needs to become more assertive and learn when to take the game over. His shot comes from his chest, which almost allows it to get blocked by the opposition. Gibbs is clearly going to be a star because of his offensive prowess, but he certainly has some things to work on.
School List: Seton Hall, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Florida, Maryland
Quotable: “I got more aggressive [in the second half]. I can get into the flow of the game, and I just felt more into the game.”
Next up for Jeff Borzello will be coverage of the Reebok All-American Camp, Reebok Summer Classic and the Playaz Joe Brown Memorial Tournament early in July for the NBE Basketball Report. Check back for Jeff’s coverage of these events and more!!
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