i95Ballerz.com/Sports Groove All-Festival Teams
Ron Bailey, Publisher
December 12, 2007 – Last weekend’s National High School Hoops Festival held at Wise High School’s (Upper Marlboro, MD) state of the art gymnasium, provided DC/Baltimore corridor hoops observers an opportunity to see national level high/prep school basketball action. Talented players headed for big things on the collegiate level were in abundance.
With that in mind, i95Ballerz.com in conjunction with Mark Gray’s Sports Groove - a Radio One sports programming staple – and Festival organizer Keith Stevens present the All-Festival teams for this year’s inaugural event.
Festival MVP: Courtney Fortson – His team, Patterson
played in two games (the only school to do so), and Fortson, a 6’0”
guard headed to Arkansas next year, garnered two game MVP’s. His
play during both contests, which included driving, dishing, defending
and leading, could have separately put him in contention for MVP honors.
Going forward, expect Fortson to improve a jump shot that while good, can be strengthened. The same cannot be said for his heart, which was on amply display all weekend.
Fortson, here with Festival organizer Keith Stevens, shared his inspired play is a result of his mother, who stresses it. Good work Mom.
First Team
Darryl ‘Truck’ Bryant – 6’1” guard: This St. Raymond (NY) senior headed to West Virginia University next year has a skill set many covet: He can get to the rim at will using strength and speed, defend, lead a team, and shoot. Truck Bryant simply can do it all. Well.
For college ball, Bryant could benefit from tightening up his jumper’s consistency, and possibly expand his lateral quickness, but those are quibbles. As is said, Bryant is the goods.
Jason Clark – 6’3” guard: Clark provided Bishop O’Connell what is becoming known as The Clark Game; in essence, not only did he score and drop dimes, but rebounded, defended and led his team. Such a well rounded skill set should bode the senior well next season, at Georgetown University.
Before making it to The Hilltop, Clark will continue his explosion training – which has him playing above the rim now – and tightening his off-hand when dribbling.
Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans – 6’5” guard: Evans did what Evans does, drop major numbers in a variety of ways, including acrobatic finishes at the rim and outside shots, including stop and pops and long three pointers. Tyreke, an unsigned (and consequently highly recruited) American Christian senior, is an offensive dynamo who can also find teammates when open.
Before and during college, Evans will continue his off-ball offensive development (which will be more obvious in another setting), as well as playing consistent, strap-up defense.
Omari Lawrence – 6’4” swingman: Coming into the Festival, many didn’t know much about Lawrence. They do now, as the left hander got to the rim, pulled up for jumpers, defended and filled lanes, using a combination of skills, strength, and quickness.
Lawrence, a ball player that is a gym rat, will continue working on his outside shot’s range and consistency, which could make him unstoppable.
Rodney McGruder – 6’5” swingman: A slashing guard/forward capable of hitting outside jumpers, attacking the rim and defending, the Archbishop Carroll junior did all of the above. Has a motor and competitiveness that infectious.
McGruder, who has committed to Kansas State, has and will continue to strengthen his ball handling before traveling to Manhattan, KS.
First teamers McGruder (left) and Bryant.
Dion Waiters – 6’2” guard: A precocious sophomore, Waiters showed he has no fear of scoring the ball in tight situations; it was he that offensively almost led South Kent Prep to victory down the stretch. Dion is a scoring machine, as he can drive and shoot well beyond his years.
Having committed to Syracuse last year, Waiters is clearly talented,
but should improve his conditioning and shot selection/situation awareness,
both allowing him to become a more efficient player, who likely would
be unstoppable.