Big Shots-DCA 17u All-Stars

Ron Bailey, Publisher

These Big Shots were in fact that.

April 12, 2011 – This past weekend Capital Sports Complex hosted Big Shots – DC Assault, a large grassroots boy’s tourney, spanning the 10-under through 17-under age groupings. Teams traveled from up and down the East Coast to participate.

Following are all star teams for the 17-under teams, as comprised by i95Ballerz.com.

17u First Team

Mo Ali-Cox – Fairfax Stars, junior forward, Notre Dame (VA), 6’5”, 220 pounds – An aggressive banger, Ali-Cox loves to take the rock to the rack, many times finishing through contact. His mid-range game is coming along – Mo can kiss it off the glass from 12 feet – work that has to continue, as does dribbling improvement. Will defend, including blocking shots also. Has a motor and penchant for mixing it up inside. VCU, William and Mary, Mount St. Mary’s, Delaware and Nevada have all offered, while American is interested.

Quincy Judd – Cecil Kirk, junior forward, Forest Park (MD), 6’4”+, 200 pounds – Athletic and offensively aggressive, Judd can hit the three ball, and drive in half court situations, where he’s capable of finishing hard. Seton Hall, DePaul, South Florida and schools in the A10 and CAA are interested in Judd, who must work on his full court handle and patting from 40 feet, as well as understanding game situations.

Nate Britt II – DCA Gold, sophomore guard, Gonzaga (DC), 6’2”, 175 pounds – Britt has savvy and intelligence, to go along with the ability to run a team and play both guard positions. ‘Nova, G’town, UMass, Seton Hall and UCLA think he’s headed for the big time – they’ve offered him a scholarship, while Duke, Texas, WVU, Virginia, Virginia Tech and others are monitoring. Britt has to get stronger to take high major contact, and solidify his defensive presence.

Montrez Harrell loves to punish the rim.

Montrez Harrell – Carolina Elite, junior forward, North Edgecombe (NC), 6’7”, 220 pounds – A Virginia Tech commit, Harrell has a great motor, one he uses to attack the rim relentlessly and block shots; in short, he goes hard. Must get stronger and develop a solid mid-range attack, given his size and likely utilization as a four man. That work starts next year at Hargrave Military Academy.

Brandon Taylor – Team Philly, junior forward, Trenton Catholic (NJ), 6’6”, 235 pounds – Taylor is an intriguing prospect, one who is fully qualified and capable of hitting three balls/mid-rangers and banging inside for rebounds and put backs. George Mason, Drexel and others love him, attention that will grow as Brandon hits the weight room and further develops his ball patting. Notre Dame has shown some interest. May prep.

Codi Miller- McIntyre – Carolina Elite, junior guard, First Assembly (NC), 6’1”, 180 pounds – Headed to
Wake Forest for 2012 and before that Hargrave Military Academy, Miller-McIntyre is set to transition from a combo guard to more of a point; he has ball patting skill, can dish, and score. Defensive intensity has to also be on Codi’s to-do list.

17u Second Team

Joe Keily – Cecil Kirk, senior point guard, Oakland Mills HS (MD), 5’10”, 165 pounds – Keily has been scouted by the likes of UMass and offered by Goldey-Beacom. An athletic guard that is transitioning to running a team full of scorers, Keily has to get stronger and think the game more as a set up point guard.

Deshron Mormon – VA Assault, senior swingman, Meadowbrook HS (VA), 6’4”, 180 pounds – Mormon has long arms and is athletic, which allow him to finish and get up and down the court. Must improve his jumper’s consistent range. A number of CAA schools find Deshron, who may prep this upcoming season, promising.

Torian Graham off the bounce.

Torian Graham – DCA Gold, junior swingman, Word of God (NC), 6’4”, 175 pounds – Graham seemed to round into form as the tourney went on, as he slashed, defended full court, finished and hit jumpers out to three point land. Graham's jumper has improved much, while his ball handling, while not bad, must get better in open floor, pressured situations. Has to get stronger. Teams like BC, Miami, UCLA, Georgetown and others have offered. Many more are interested.

Jack Rerley - Fairfax Stars, junior swingman, Yorktown (VA), 6’4”, 170 pounds – Princeton, Cornell and American like Rerley, a shooter with range (mid and long) that can defend, rebound, pass and make plays. Jack must get stronger and though not bad, improve his ball handling.

Josh Forney – B’More Under Armor Elite, sophomore center/forward, St. Francis (MD), 6’8”, 225 pounds – Forney is a blue collar player that does all the things others refuse to – rebound, block shots, screen – and does them willingly. He’s working on his strength and footwork, which will catapult him to highly recruited status. Presently Loyola (MD), South Florida, Nebraska, Florida Gulf Coast and UNC-Wilmington are evaluating him.

17u Honorable Mention

Chris Viqueira – Triple Threat, senior guard, Clarksburg HS (MD), 6’0”, 160 pounds – An all around guard, Viqueira has Maryland Division III’s Hood, Frostburg and Salisbury waiting for his call. Is a basketball player capable of shooting, handling and passing. Must get stronger.

Jamal Lewis – DCA Gold, junior guard, Sidwell Friends (DC), 6’0”, 175 pounds – A combo guard truly capable of playing both guard positions, GW, Penn, Yale, Princeton, Harvard, VCU, William and Mary and Boston University have offered. Lewis must still solidify his point guard instincts, and extend shooting range.

Jatavon Green – Dallas Seahawks, junior guard, Garland (TX), 5’9”, 155 pounds – Green loves to attack the rim and does it well. His jumper must get better, which will generate interest for him.

Jamal Lewis at the foul line.

Keon Hill – DC Assault White, junior point guard guard, Riverdale Baptist (MD), 5’8”, 150 pounds – Hill’s jumper is starting to match his drive and dish skills, opening up his game in the process. Colgate has shown interest.

Mike Durant - DC Assault White, junior forward, Riverdale Baptist, 6’6”, 185 pounds – Durant does a little bit of everything, including score, rebound and defend. Would benefit from being more of a perimeter player, thereby allowing him to be a small/power forward instead of power forward/center in college. Howard, Hampton, Bowie State, Stony Brook and St. Frances (PA) have all shown interest.