Elite Basketball Camps

Because I’m often asked for recommendations for good basketball camps, I finally took the time to put together a list of elite middle and high school basketball camps. Over the past several years I have had an opportunity to attend most of the above camps and, for the most part, I enjoyed my experience. The following list is not all inclusive, as there are a number of other local and national camp options for your child. The camps are not listed in any particular order, and as I hear about new camps, I will add them to this list. Enjoy!


Elite Basketball Camp List

5 Star Camps
Location: Multiple-PA, NY
Type: National Instructional/Exposure
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.five-starbasketball.com/?gclid=COjl-pmMkKYCFc9w5QodMEr2pA

Hoop Group Camps
Location: Northeast/PA & NJ
Type: National/Exposure/Instructional
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.hoopgroup.com/hoopgroup/eibc_traditional.php

Rick Bolus High Potential Camps
Location: Georgetown, KY
Type: Regional/Instructional
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.basketball-camp.net

Phenom Camps
Location: Sand Diego, CA
Type: National/Regional/Exposure/Instructional/Open
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.adidasjrcamp.com

Jr. All-American Camp
Location: National/Multiple locations
Type: National Exposure/Invitation Only
Age/Grade: Middle & High School (freshmen)
Email Address: http://www.jrallamericancamp.com

Pangos Camps
Location: Southern CA/Regional
Type: National/Exposure/Instructional
Age/Grade: High School
Email Address: http://www.fullctpress.net/page/page/2719247.htm

John Lucas Camps
Location: Houston, TX/Regional
Type: Instructional/Exposure/Invitation Only
Age/Grade: Middle School Primarily
Email Address: http://www.coachjohnlucas.com

Elite 75 Camp
Location: Charlotte, NC
Type: Regional /Exposure/Open
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.elite75prep.com

Jason Otter Point Guard Camp
Location: National/Multiple Locations
Type: Instructional Point Guard/Open
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.otterbasketball.com

Midwest Elite Camp
Location: Northeast OH
Type: National/Regional/Exposure
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://cbctourneytown.tripod.com/amec_id11.html

D-One Basketball Camps
Location: Spiece Field House/Ft. Wayne, IN
Type: Regional/Instructional
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.donecamps.com/locations/spiece.htm

Bob Gibbons Fall Evaluation Clinic
Location: Wake Forrest, NC
Type: National/Instructional/Exposure
Age/Grade: Middle & High School
Email Address: http://www.bobgibbons.net/index.php

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcases
Location: Columbus, OH
Type: Regional/Exposure
Age/Grade: Elementary, Middle & High School
Date: March 6, 2011
Email Address: http://www.BuckeyePrep.blogspot.com

Red Devils Claim Championship

The much anticipated match up between the 6th grade New Birth Warriors (6-2) and the Groveport Red Devils(8-1) went down tonight in the championship game of the COBBA Holiday Tournament at the Hoop. Prior to the game Warriors coach Scott Bradley questioned whether his younger and much smaller team  could contain Groveport’s sizable height advantage in the post. Early in the contest Bradley’s fears were realized, as Kalob Wesson, a 6’0 center from Westerville, scored the first 8 points in the game to lead the Red Devils on a 8-0 run.

Like New Birth, the Red Devils brought serious ball pressure which limited good looks at the basket. Consequently, the Warriors were unable to score until the 2:10 mark in the 1st quarter, and struggled to get consistent scoring against a clearly superior squad. Although the Warriors closed the gap to 10-21 going into half time, the Red Devils finished the 3rd quarter with a 38-18 lead. The Red Devils enjoyed solid guard from Shaylin Waugh and Anthony Mills Jr., but the difference in the game was Wesson, who was dominate in the paint, and went on to lead the Red Devils in scoring with 22 points.

By the time the horn sounded Groveport had claimed the championship by a score of 52-26. Some of the other standout players in the game included: Darious Coker (Groveport), Shaylin Waugh (Groveport), Paul Jones (New Birth), Jordan Mitchell (New Birth) and Ty Wiley (New Birth). To see the pictures I took at the event visit the Buckeye Prep Facebook Fan Page.

New Birth Warriors Off to a Solid Start

I finally got a chance to get out and see Scott Bradley’s 6th grade New Birth Warriors. Participating in the COBBA Holiday Tournament at the Hoop; Bradley’s team (6-1) finished the day at 2-0, with convincing wins over the Ohio Valley Minors (45-24) and the Canal Winchester Indians (49-36). In the opening game, the Warriors were led by Jordan Mitchell's 11 points, and in the second game, Ty Wiley finished with a game-high 20 points. Next up for New Birth is the championship game versus the Groveport Red Devils on Friday. I had a chance to catch a quick glance at the Red Devils and noted the fact they have good size in the front court.

As is customary for Scott Bradley-coached teams, the 2010/2011 edition of the Warriors frustrate their opponents with extreme pressure, both full and half court. The 6-0 Warriors’ only loss this season came at the hands of Olentangy Orange, who squeaked out a 6-point victory. According to Bradley, this team is his youngest in the program’s storied history, as only 3 players are in the 6th grade. The majority of his 13-player team is made up of 4th and 5th graders. Because his team is so young, Bradley recognizes they will take their lumps, but the team will be well positioned for the next couple of years.

So far this young season, a few kids have stepped forward to lead this team. The top guys so far are: Jordan Mitchell, a 4th grader from Blacklick; Ty Wiley, a 5th grader from Fairmont Elementary school, and Paul “PJ” Jones, a 5th grader from Grove City. Jones returns for a second year for the Warriors. The rest of the New Birth roster is below:

New Birth Roster:

Randy Overson-Columbus (5th)
Christian Carter-Worthington (6th)
Ty Wiley-Columbus (5th)
Jejuan Weatherspoon-Whitehall (5th)
Noah Berry-Columbus (5th)
Paul “PJ” Jones-Grove City (5th)
Robert Littlejohn-(6th)
Jaedyn Carter-Worthington (5th)
Alvin Byrd-Hamilton Twp (4th)
Randy Sills-Reynoldsburg (4th)
Nathan Hawkins-Zanesville (6th)
Jordan Mitchell-Blacklick (4th)
Dominique Long-Westerville (5th)

Gahanna Routs Pickerington North to Take Control of OCC Ohio

Before a sold out crowd, the Gahanna Lincoln Lions (6-0) took control of the OCC Ohio division race with a convincing 61-41 win over Pickerington North (5-1). Although Gahanna Lincoln got out to a quick start, Pickerington North kept the game close until midway through the 3rd quarter. The Golden Lions went on a significant run to close out the 3rd period, and eventually finished the contest with a 20 point victory. With their victory, Gahanna is positioned well to claim back-to-back league championships. The leading scorer in the contest was Stevie Taylor who finished with 25 points.  To see pictures of the game, visit the Buckeye Prep facebook Fan Page. (Highlight video) (Video of Trey Warr's ally oop dunk) (ohshoops story)

Happy Thanksgiving from Buckeye Prep

We at Buckeye Prep would like to wish our followers a very happy Thanksgiving!  Oh yea, get ready for high school basketball!!

Tis the Scrimmage Season!

Not only is it the season for turkey, dressing and your other favorite dishes, late November represents the scrimmage season, as high school teams prepare for the upcoming hoops season. Today, roughly 22 high school teams made their way to Columbus to participate in Rodney Taylor’s annual multi-team scrimmage event. As is the case every year, Taylor assembled a talented group of teams who were looking for a good pre-season test. A few of the teams in attendance, including Columbus Northland, Huber Heights Wayne, Gahanna Lincoln and Dayton Dunbar, have legitimate chances to make a deep run in the state tournament. In terms of the format, each team played five to six 15 minute quarters with a running clock.


The full list of teams include: Columbus Northland, Huber Heights Wayne, Gahanna Lincoln, Dayton Dunbar, Toledo St. John, Canton McKinley, Toledo Rogers, Dayton Meadowdale, Walnut Ridge, Africentric, Piketon, Fort Loramie, Dublin Scioto, Westerville Central, Bishop Hartley, Columbus Independence, Columbus Eastmoor Academy, Harvest Prep, Columbus East, Granville, Chillicothe and Toledo Central Catholic.

Most of the top teams took care of business and a few other teams demonstrated promise. Northland had a big day as they rolled in game 1 against Dayton Meadowdale, and easily handled Gahanna Lincoln (24-11) on their way to a 5-0 finish. Wayne scrapped their way to a 6-0 record and showed why so many people around the state think highly of them. Dayton Dunbar came close to having a big outing, but with 4 ties and 2 wins, Dunbar headed back to Dayton with a bit of an unsatisfied feeling. Gahanna tied Dunbar (18-18) in their opening game, but with losses to Northland, Harvest Prep and 2 ties, the Golden Lions (3-2-2) showed that they still have some work to do. I thought Walnut Ridge had a good day, as did Westerville Central and Toledo St. John. Also, keep an eye on Toledo central Catholic as they have just enough talent to make some noise this season. To see the pictures I took at the event, visit the Buckeye Prep Facebook Fan Page.