HM Tip Off Provided Needed Exposure, 17u All Stars
Ron Bailey, Publisher
The Hoop Magic Open Period Tip Off highlighted player's games in the 15u-17u age brackets.
June 8, 2009 - Curtis Symonds, founder of Hoop Magic Sports Academy and a long time sports and entertainment executive has often labeled his involvement in youth basketball as a means in part, to "give young people the necessary exposure". Such is central to the receipt of a college scholarship.
Well, via Hoop Magic's Live Period Tip Off, that exposure was provided this week, as well over 50 college coaches packed his facility over Monday and Tuesday; During the month of July, the NCAA has deigned that Division I college coaches can actually travel to see players personally.
Before providing the i95Ballerz.com 17u All star crews, a nod must be given to the event's champions:
17u Gold - Kid's First Basketball
17u Silver - Hoop Magic
16u - Nike Baltimore Elite
15u- Team Takeover
Kid's First Basketball took the 17u crown.
Best Game of the Championship Rounds: 15u Championship
Team Takeover bested the Maryland Canes 54-53 in overtime, with the contest reaching that extra period through drama: The clock read 1.4 seconds, finding the Canes down three. Malcolm Miller got the ball after an inbounds, took a dribble and launched an NBA three which dropped in the net. Pandemonium ensued, the refs huddled, and the shot was ruled good!
After order was restored (emotions were running high), the teams resumed their on-court battle and again a dramatic ending was on tap; the Canes' Miller again made a huge play, stealing the ball and scoring a layup, while Takeover's Stan Robinson followed that by going coast to coast and converting a layup.
The theatrics weren't done, as the Canes' Desmond Offor scored on a highly contests put back with 6.8 seconds left, only to have A'Jen English of Takeover drive to the hoop (coast to coast mind you) and get fouled. As the clock stood at 1.8 seconds, English calmly hit two foul shots, giving his team the eventual margin of victory.
Coaches Notes:
At least 50 programs were represented at the Tip Off, with head coaches like Buck Joiner (Hampton), Seth Greenburg (Va Tech), Mike Francis (BCC-Essex) and Rob Moore (Quinnipiac) amongst their ranks. In terms of assistants, Xavier's Bino Ransom, Charlotte's Rob Moxley, Brian Ellerby of GW, Jason Williford (UVA), Chris Pompey (NM State), Kevin McClain (Morgan State), G.G. Smith (Loyola), Aki Thomas (UMBC), Billy Lange (Navy), William Booth (NC A&T), Carmen Maciariello (Fairfield), Chris Caputo (Mason), and a slew of others were in the house.
Apologies to all coaches not listed - space wouldn't allow it. But rest assured programs were well represented, like Georgetown, Boston University, Liberty, VMI, ECU, Stonybrook, St. Mary's (MD), Mount St. Mary's and others.
One head coach that wasn't there, Virginia's Tony Bennett, had a good excuse for not attending; having assumed UVA's reigns several months ago, Bennett, who was last at Washington State, is busy cementing himself in the Commonwealth, this week attending a Virginia high school coach's clinic. Being the only one of the state's college head coaches to do so - in fact he was likely the only Division I college coach not on the road for the open recruiting period's beginning - Bennett is making the statement the state that identifies itself as being for lovers, is UVA's dominion.
17u First Team
Ovie Soko, 6'8", 210lbs, Class of 2009, Bethel HS (VA) - A former Liberty commit who then chose VCU, only for that coaching staff to leave, Soko has to be considered one of the best unsigned players: In high school he played down low, but has since shown he is destined to be a slasher that finishes hard, and can also pull up for shots in college. Additionally, Soko, who plays for Boo Williams (Converse), uses his length to bother opponents defensively.
College recruiters are all over Oko right now, with CAA, A-10 and the Big East's Cincinnati rumored to be interested.
Mikael Hopkins normally doesn't pat the ball on breaks such as this, but did so in Tip Off play here.
Mikael Hopkins, 6'8", 205lbs, Class of 2011, DeMatha HS (MD) - This Team Takeover standout has worked on his intensity, and the result has received an avalanche of attention, with his school list being relayed as "Syracuse, Maryland, Clemson, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Ohio State, West Virginia, Florida, Texas".
Hopkins understands he needs to get stronger and add a go-to post move, as he projects himself a "big man that can face up and play with his back to the basket".
He'll get there, displaying the makings of that in Tip Off action. Mikeal's Father, Mike Reese, went to Boston College in the '80's, and he plays for Team Takeover now.
Anthony Estes, 6'6", 220lbs, Class of 2011, Our Savour (NY) - Despite coming off a leg injury, Estes still showed he has the goods; Anthony,a forward, threw it down on the break and via backcuts, while also getting to the line after being fouled by defenders.
His timing was a little off, and he needs to lower his center of gravity while patting the ball, plus make his jumper more consistent, but Estes, a Kid's First Basketball guy, still performed well.
Estes took an unofficial visit to Georgetown last year, but the Hoyas are far from alone in being interested, as they are joined by: Kansas State, Oregon State, Maryland, Miami, Virginia Tech, George Washington, Memphis, Boston College, Delaware, Loyola, LaSalle, Florida, Boston University,Alabama, Auburn, Pepperdine, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia and a slew of others have shown varied interest. Will possibly attend Riverdale Baptist HS next year.
Anthony Estes is a player that will become well known in the DC area next season.
Jordan Latham, 6'8", 215lbs, Class of 2010, City College HS (MD) - After being re-recruited by Xavier, Jordan has shown he will play both forward spots in college, given his ability to do some of everything, including shooting, rebounding, defending and running the floor.
Latham's the type of player that with several years of development will likely have the college basketball world buzzing "Where did he come from"? That improvement will consist of acquiring greater strength and shooting range, and overall experience. Has carved a name for himself in the Nike Baltimore Elite program.
Skylar Jones, 6'5", 190lbs, Class of 2010, Mt. Vernon HS (VA) - Since spring, Jones has been ascendant, with that rise continuing; a power forward in high school, Jones is now becoming very comfortable at the three, where he is taking guys off the bounce and using his prodigious athletic ability to finish. This includes finishing with either hand, including utilizing nice finger rolls.
Does he have to continue honing his jumper? Yes, but the Team Takeover (orange) standout has an impressive recruiting profile, with Mount St. Mary's, VCU, Morgan State, Loyola, Niagara, Robert Morris, UNCC and Fairfield on him.
Victor Olidipo - 6'4", 185lbs, Class of 2010, DeMatha HS (VA) - A known entity nationally, the likes of Marquette, UVA, Pittsburgh, Va Tech, Providence, Maryland, Miami, GW and Xavier are all over Victor. The reason? He's an outstanding defender who possesses major hops/athletic ability.
As a pure guard, Victor must continue developing his perimeter shot (needs more arch and to shoot with his fingers) and handle (both hands, lower center of gravity). He is progressing in those areas. Runs with Team Takeover.
Evan Hymes - 5'9", 150lbs, Class of 2011, Kesral Heights (VA) - A lightening quick point guard, Hymes indicated "VCU, Stanford and N.C. State a little" are starting to show interest. That's not surprising, given Hymes ability to run a team.
Evan also recognized his jumpshot as being an important point of development, along with getting stronger.