94 Feet Basketball Showcase selected players, Pt. 1

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Sleeper talent was present.

October 31, 2011 – Saturday and Sunday concluded the 94 Feet Basketball Showcase, a single elimination, high school boy’s hoops competition that also culminated the organization’s fall league. Action was hot and heavy at Oxon Hill High School (MD).

In terms of championship play, 94 Feet Basketball principal Brian Inge supplied this: “Spingarn won it all. They beat Thomas Edison in probably the most intense game of the day, then Rise Academy from Philly in the Semi's and Friendship Collegiate in the championship.

“Friendship beat Westlake at the buzzer then upset McNamara on a last second shot to make it to the final game”.

Spingarn took home the chip.

Who was the event’s most valuable player?

“ Rockell 'Lee'Vaughn of Spingarn was named MVP of the showcase tournament” shared Inge, a growing name in District-Maryland-Virginia youth/professional hoops.

Following are a number of players that caught this writer’s eye, Saturday.

Anthony Cheaves – 5’9”, 170 lb, Sr, PG, McDonogh HS (MD) – A good passer, penetrator and defender, Cheaves must further develop his jump shot and left hand. Plays physically at the point. No schools have yet supplied interest.

Magic Harris, 5’10”, 150 lb, Jr, PG, Oxon Hill (MD) – Formerly a guy that focused on scoring, Harris is concentrating on finding teammates for easy scores, a change that has made St. Francis (NY) offer a partial scholarship, while Rutgers and Richmond have expressed some interest. The lefty can still put the ball in the hole, but must concentrate on utilizing his right hand more, as well as simplifying some of his passes.

Magic Harris being fouled in the air.

In terms of his off-hand, Harris indicated “I’ve been doing a lot of stationary drills with my right, everyday”. When it comes to blending passing and scoring, he noted, “I am trying to make sure my teammates are satisfied, then pick my spots (offensively)”.

Jerome ‘KC’ West – 6’2”, 167 lb, Jr, Swingman, Spingarn (DC) – West simply makes plays, primarily off the bounce where he finishes or drops off. His handle is decent, though must be improved when under pressure. Jumpshooting is a recognized point of necessary improvement.

Malik Snead – 6’6”, 177 lb, So, center/forward, Spingarn (DC) – A slender, developing big man, Snead possesses the ability to get teammates involved. According to him, maybe to a fault, as he said “People say I pass too much”; it’s not that he can’t shoot – “I feel like my shot is good” was his statement on that, it’s just he passes up on good ones sometimes.

Jerome 'KC' West on the move

Strength is a major point of needed development, to which Malik is starting to embrace. His footwork is more of a work in progress, but tools for the game are there – good feet, long arms and seemingly solid hands.

Robert Simpson, 5’10”, 175 lb, Sr, guard, HD Woodson (DC) – An aggressive driver who can score off the bounce or pass, Simpson must round out his game with more of a mid-range threat. No recruiting interest has been received, yet.

Terrell Baker, 6’5”, 205 lb, Sr, forward, HD Woodson (DC) – Athletic and aggressive, Baker runs the floor well in both offensive and defensive transition. He displayed a solid mid-range baseline jumper, but must bone up on his footwork in the paint. Schools have not contacted him so far.