Snapshots, Pt. 10

Ron Bailey, Publisher

October 2, 2007 - It has been ten installments, and we are still doing it. Following are four more talented high school-aged basketball athletes:

Ballam is here, at the Hoop Group Northern Virginia Top 100 Camp

Devin Ballam, freshman point guard, 5’9”, 160 pounds – Just entering Chantilly High School (VA), Ballam will be a name to remember, as the young guy eats and drinks hoops, is talented and desires to improve.

Just ask his trainer, Terrelle Woody, who shared “He can do everything” of Ballam. “He can shoot and get to the basket. He can do it all”.

Ballam, who stated “I’ve been working with Terrelle for like six or seven months” at Hoop Magic Sports Academy, played for the Fairfax Stars’ 14 and under squad this past summer, and will likely star for Chantilly’s junior varsity squad this school year, as the school’s varsity team is loaded with experienced backcourt players. Nevertheless, he will probably suit up for the varsity team, and in the process continue developing his all around game.

Devin is capable of leading a team and scoring, and should develop into a standout performer. Chantilly has a keeper.

Prince, a Canuck, can ball. Period.

Taevaunne Prince, sophomore forward/guard, 6’3”, 220 pounds – Prince is a throwback player, a guy that gets it done, intelligently using his strengths in each scenario to best opponents: If he’s being checked by a smaller opponent, Prince will back him down and either score at the hoop or pass to an open man. In instances where a larger player is guarding him, Tavan goes right around him. And in both occurrences, Prince is liable to pull of for a quick jumper.

A Toronto, Canada-area product, Prince did all the above in helping lead GC/CIA to a Maryland Invitational championship. The D.C. area will be treated to a steady dose of Taevaunne, as he’s transferring to Washington Catholic Athletic Association member St. Mary’s Ryken.

Watch out D.C., he’s arrived, and you’ll love his game.

Green (in white), will battle bigger guys, and perform with emotion.

Phillip Green, junior guard, 6’1”, 185 pounds – Intelligent and athletic, Green performs a necessary role for DeMatha Catholic and its coach, Mike Jones, who shared of Phillip “He can shoot”.

Green did that and more, in the recent Crab City Fall Classic, helping DeMatha to the championship game.

Expect him to continue providing strong performances for Jones and the Stags in 2007-2008. “He’s going to have a pretty good year” prognosticated DeMatha’s coach. “We have a need for what he does”.

If those expectations hold true, Green will continue to receive strong recruiting interest from James Madison and the military academies, but the attention he’s received from school in the ACC, Big East, SEC, and Atlantic 10 will surely intensify.

This year is big for Phillips indeed, as Jones summed “What he does this year, will impact what offers he receives”.

Zalmico and Mike Harmon

Zalmico Harmon, sophomore point guard, 5’10”, 180 pounds – Zalmico is a pass first point guard, who can get to the rack and defend. Attending Bishop O’Connell, Harmon played sparingly as a freshman, but according to his father Mike, benefited from the experience. “Until seventh grade, he was home schooled” said the elder Harmon, of his son’s prior experiences, which dovetail well with O’Connell’s environment.

“On the court, he can continue learning a lot this year” Mike continued. “And he’ll learn, whether in games, or practice”.

This summer with God’s Glory (AAU) is where Zalmico really started to distinguish himself. “It helped my game a lot” said the young guy of the experience, one in which he plays for his dad; something he labeled “okay”, though at times can understandably be “a struggle”.

In an effort to address foot speed – which along with jumpshot range and leadership are things Zalmico’s father believes to be points of necessary improvement in his son – the younger Harmon was frequently pitted against the opponent’s best guard.

The older Harmon also foresees his son’s role at O’Connell being similar: “This year, it’s just checking the toughest offensive guy and handling the ball; he doesn’t have to be a starter. Just be a piece to make everything come together”.

In short, Zalmico Harmon is learning his craft, and biding his time.