Takeover Starts Season with Training Camp
Ron Bailey, Publisher
'Chips' and schollies earned have ensured buy-in and focus for Team Takeover.
April 23, 2010 - Now that high school basketball's 2009-2010 season has completed, its' travel team time, commonly referred to AAU season. Generally jumping off in April and extending through the end of July and in some instances into August, travel team ball allows some of the best players in America to compete, at times under the watchful eye of college coaches. Names can be made during the summer, and resultantly scholarships earned.
The Washington, DC area's Team Takeover is a force in travel team hoops, and jumpstarted their season the first weekend in April; like many teams, Jimmy Salmon's Playaz' Ball was their first destination. Subsequent to that, the Boo Williams tourney was taken in, as will Lebron James' confab this weekend.
Keith Stevens (right) coaches up Mikael Hopkins.
In preparation for these tourneys and others, Keith Stevens, Kenny Johnson, and the rest of Team Takeover, including coaches and players, convened at gyms around the DC-Maryland-Virginia areas early this month to prepare for battle.
During the sessions - some of which, including those for the 17 and 16 and under teams, were held at Chantilly, VA's Hoop Magic Sports Academy - offensive and defensive schemes were initially installed. In terms of scoring, Team Takeover worked on five-out, four-around-one and other formations, while defensively the organization drilled 2-3 and 1-3-1 match up zones, plus man to man concepts were also taught. Of course skills were drilled, including a myriad of attacking the rim moves.
"The main thing is we have kids traveling from so many different places, its rare that you are going to have an entire group together" said Johnson of the camp and his expectations for it. "So it's important to try and get as much in as possible. You never expect it to be perfect...What you want to do is have your concepts in place".
Johnson, 16 and under coach who also functions as a sort of chief operating officer with Takeover, also noted the month of April is where games are won on "heart and desire", with a summer travel team's best work slated for July - corresponding with the open periord where NCAA Division I coaches can come out and actually scout players.
Mike Gbinije with the reverse layup.
Stevens, who actually heads the Nike-sponsored outfit and will coach its 17 and under squad, is bullish on his organization's prospects. "I think it's going to be good. We're excited, have a couple of new kids, but just knowing what the identity is...knowing what to expect, becuase you have a lot of kids coming back from last year. I think expectations will be high".
He also opined winning - including Orlando's Super Showcase 17 and 16 and under crowns last year - breeds not only confidence, but buy-in from players in their families. That and the fact even lesser played performers receive four year scholarships.
Jon Schour, a Class of 2011, 17 and under swingman being recruited by Ivy League schools and others, also lauded Takeover's overall consistiency, saying "Yes sir, alot of of it is the same (sets). We are using a lot of our length in our defense and our athleticism, but alot of it is the same".
"It's going to be a good experience" said Class of 2011 senior and Takeover teammate of Schour, Mike Gbinije, who has committed to Duke. "I'm more familiar now, being here for awhile; two years. I think we have a very good team, we should win every game".
That may be tough to do, but Team Takeover's squads, up and down the age continuum, will be hard to beat.
Selected Players:
Julian DeBose: 6'4", 180 pound junior swingman, Takeover 17u, St. Johns (DC) - A slasher, DeBose's mid-range jumper and long ball are improving, as is his patting ability. Must get stronger and consistently more confident. Possible high major player.
James Robinson: 6'2", 190 pound sophomore point guard, Takeover 17u, DeMatha (MD) - Always on the controls, Robinson is a floor leader that increasingly scores against top competition. Must improve his jumpshot's range. Georgetown, Maryland, Notre Dame and others are interested.
Hopkins punishes the rim.
Mikael Hopkins: 6'8", 220 pound junior forward, Takeover 17u, DeMatha (MD) - Hopkins can score from the wing or around the tin well. Must continue to work on his footwork, back to basket and facing up, ball handling, and on-ball defense; Mikael can come off the weak side for blocks but must be stouter at the point of attack. Kansas, Syracuse, Georgetown, West Virginia, Virginia, Miami, Villanova a slew of other schools are recruiting him. According to Hopkins, Kansas, Maryland, Miami, West Virginia and Ohio State are starting to distance themselves from the pack.
Mike Gbinije: 6'6", 200 pound junior swingman,Takeover 17u, Benedictine (VA) - Having orally committed to Duke, Gbinije is a smooth operator that drives, shoots and finishes at a high level. Must continue to develop his desire to defend on-ball consistently, and get stronger, which will allow for contact absorbtion.
Jerimi Grant is rounding into a force.
Jerami Grant: 6'7", 175 pound sophomore swingman, Takeover 16u, DeMatha (MD) - Grant, when all is said and done, is believed will be better than his brothers, Jerian (going to Notre Dame) and Jerai (at Clemson); he can finish and shoot at a fairly high level, and is starting to attack the tin. Long and gangly, Jerami must strengthen not only his body but handle.
Exclusive Audio:
Stevens and Coaches Gerald and Winbush addressing 17u players post practice
Johnson addressing his 16u guys
Julian Debose on Takeover and recruiting