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| Foster, Henry, Barba, Hughley, Huffman |
The
final day of the NEO Youth Elite Camp
featured a series of all-star games which gave us the opportunity to evaluate some players we
had not seen on day one, as well as provided us the chance to get a closer
look at some kids we only caught glimpse of on Saturday. We saw Darion
Henry (6’5”/PF/2020) on Saturday, and his high level play was still evident
in the 8th Top 20 All-Star game on Sunday. In fact, Henry played his way into MVP honors
with a 16 point effort. Not to be outdone, Andy Barba (6’2”/SG/2020)
went off as well to the tune of 16 points and Co-MVP honors. The more we watch
Barba, the more we like him. Some of the
things he did in the all-star game were special. In addition, the fact Barba will be
reclassifying to 2021 next year will vault him to the top of our 2021 state
rankings. To my colleagues, Barba’s move
to the class of 2021 should land him on national lists. Finally, D-I college coaches should be track
this kid.
We
caught a little of him on Saturday, but Montorie
Foster’s (5’10”/SG/2020) performance in the all-star game on Sunday was
unmistakable, as he exploded for a game-high 23 points. Foster simply could not be guarded,
as he either slashed his way to the basket with athletic plays or unleashed a
barrage of perimeter jump shots which he converted at a high rate. What’s most impressive about his MVP-garnering
effort was the fact he was playing in intense pain, as he had hit the floor
hard in an earlier play. We always knew
he could play, but Foster’s performance on Sunday was redefining! We got a
second look at big John Hughley
(6’6”/C/2020) on Sunday and we are even more convinced of his upside potential.
Hughley is still learning the game, but he already knows how to use his big
frame to power the rock into the basket.
We saw him face up, step way a little bit and knock down a shot or two,
but unlike a lot of big men these days; he was ok with banging in the paint and
getting physical. Grant Huffman (6’0”/SG/2020) had a
solid all-star game and was rewarded with the 5th Co-MVP award. Some of the other all-star players included: Tevin Jackson (5’7”/PG/Maple Heights), Jessie Laster (6’1”/WF/Cleveland), Jalen Dial (5’10”/PG/South Euclid), Nick Camacho (6’0”/SG/Columbus), Jordan Jackson (6’0”/PG/Lorain), Hunter Drenth (6’3”/PF/Akron), Kyler Lacy (6’4”/C/Norwalk), Quentin Richardson (5’6”/PG/Maple
Heights), JK Williams
(5’9”/PG/Cleveland), Josh Wanton
(5’7”/PG/Twinsburg), Nehemiah Benson
(6’2”/WF/Streetsboro) and Aaron
Whitehead (5’4”/PG/Loraine).
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| Johnson, Peoples, Chicone, Abuhamden & Arnold |
In
the 7th grade all-star game, Meechie
Johnson (4’7”/PG/Garfield Heights) unleashed an offense barrage that did
not end until the dynamic playmaker had tallied a game-high 24 points. As he so
often does, the entertaining Johnson made it look easy, as he scored in every way
imaginable. Johnson’s elite skill set, IQ and confidence make him a serious
problem! Needless to say, Johnson added another MVP trophy to his ever-expanding collection. Johnson was not the only guy to put up big numbers in the
7th grade all-star game, as Noah
Peoples (6’0”/WF/PF/Akron) logged in an impressive 16 point day. Peoples is
still too strong and aggressive for most kids his age.
Talk
about hidden gems; we would like to welcome Luke Chicone (5’1”/PG/Mentor) to the statewide stage. Judging by the number of AAU coaches gathered
around Chicone after the game, the kid can play. Chicone may not necessarily look the part,
but he’s hardnosed and a throwback type of player. A
solid skill set and an elite motor allows Chicone to compete with the best, and
his 12 points and Co-MVP node proves he’s legitimate. Omar Abuhamden (5’6”/PG/North Royalton) capped off an impressive
weekend with a 9 point performance and Co-MVP honors. Abuhamden’s consistent
play over the weekend has confirmed for us his place among the top 10 in the
state. Ramelle Arnold Jr. (5’8”/PG/Warrensville)
continued his steady play, and his 9 point effort got him Co-MVP. We've seen him three time now and it's clear Arnold has D-I potential. Rounding out
some of the other scoring, Jaden Hameed
and Trent Jakacki added 9 points, and
William Jeffress finished with 8
points. Other all-stars included: Darryl
Peterson, Enavell Lighty, Tae Perie, MarSaun Robinson, Makail Cottingham, Jimmy
Salomone, Joe Labas, EJ Farmer and Jarius Jones.
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| Johnson, Tatuam, James, Rumple & Young |
Sonny Johnson Jr. (5’2”/PG/Garfield
Heights) had another breakout performance in the 6th grade all-star
game, scoring 14 points on his way to Co-MVP accolades. As has been the case
just about every time we’ve seen him play, Johnson is most always the best player on
the court. His countless hours in the gym doing skill work is evident in his game, as he easily gets by his defender for a layup or dump off. Moreover, Johnson’s
court vision and passing skills are as good as any we’ve seen in the
county. Although his game can seem a bit
flashy at times, what he’s doing on the court translates at the next level. Finally, Johnson is not a trash talker, but he will absolutely destroy you if your
defensive game is not on point. We don’t often get excited about young players,
but Tavian Tatuam (5’10”/C/Garfield
Heights) got us excited! Tatum’s size, athleticism and tenaciousness in the
post are special. Tatuam’s performance
over the weekend has vaulted him near the top of our 2022 list. Can’t wait to see him on March 12th
at our elite showcase! Oh yea, Tatuam’s 14 points and 6 rebounds were enough for Co-MVP
props.
He
was not on our radar before arriving in Cleveland, but by the time we headed
home on Sunday we felt we had discovered another hidden gem. Elmore
James (5’7”/PF/South Euclid) has a chance to be really good. He’s big,
strong, athletic and plays hard. James
runs the floor well and finishes at a high rate around the basket. James has good genics as well; as he’s a relative
of Ohio State commit Derek Funderburk. We think James’ upside is huge. We
looked for him on Saturday, but did not see what we expected; however, on
Sunday, Danny Young Jr. (5’4”/PG/Shaker Heights) came alive in the 6th grade all-star game and
solidified his place among the state’s elite. No one attacks the cup like
Young, who gets to the rim without over dribbling or tricks. Also, most often than not, young finishes his
drives. Young’s 8 points were good
enough for Co-MVP honors. We were also
really impressed with William Rumple
(5’4”/SG/Auburn). Just like Luke
Chicone, if you’re not paying attention, he will hit you with double
digits. As an example, Rumple finished
with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on his way to Co-MVP honors. Other 6th grade all-stars
included: Rasheed Carter, Akin Popoola, Jeshurun Pleasant, Larry Harper, Johnny
Graham, Jaylan Clark, Tommy Dejesus, Ty Locklear, Trey Miller, Jalen Brown,
Sean Conway, Roderick Coffee, Zaden Abuhamdeh, Lydell Byrd and Deon Horn.
 |
| Easter, Mobley, Hayes, Molton and Moore |
As
was the case on Saturday, a pair of 4th graders was the center of
attention, as both Jerry Easter Jr. and John Mobley Jr. put on a show in the 5th
grade all-star game. Easter followed up
a solid Saturday showing with a MVP performance on Sunday, as evidenced by his
19 point, 4 assist and 4 rebound stat line.
Mobley was right there with him with 16 points and 4 assists of his own. Mobley’s ability to shoot from deep was on
full display as he sank multiple deep treys late in the game. LA Hayes (5’2”/PG/Brookpark) came alive
on Sunday just in time to grab Co-MVP honors.
Hayes got busy to the tune of 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Hayes is relentless to the cup and very
athletic. Desh Molton (4’9”/PG/South
Euclid) continued to impress us and finished strong with 11 points, 4 rebounds
and 2 assists, which was good enough for a Co-MVP node. A few other players that caught our eye
included Dorjan Flowers (4’10”/SG/Cleveland Heights) who demonstrated the ability to shoot from deep, and
Dailyn Swain (4’8”/SG/Columbus) who
is proficient at attacking the cup.
Other all-star game participants included: Jayvion Moore, Markell Johnson-Nichols,
Jyles Branden, Javen Vaughn, Kellen Smith, Caleb Walker, Najih Wright, Cody
Head, Victor Smith, Que Miller, Andre Wheeler, Rob McFarren Jr., Sedric Cook
and Adam Williams.
We
have to send a shot out to Landon Brown
and Stewart “Nic” Smith who dropped
21 and 18 points, respectively in the Top 40 All-Star game. Also, little Marcus Johnson, a 2nd
grader, exploded for 20 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds in the 3rd grade
all-star game. In the same game, Mike
Jones matched Johnson with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Jason Henlon finished with 18 points
and 7 assists. Curtis Long added 17
points and Luke Newton finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. We are looking
forward to seeing many of the above players at our March 12th Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase.
Congratulations to Sonny Johnson and his staff for putting on a great
event!
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