TYBS 16u/15u All Stars

Ron Bailey, Publisher

TYBS was flush with young talent.

May 21, 2010 - In conjuntion with TYBS 17u All Stars, this article concludes i95Ballerz.com's direct coverage of this year's Take Your Best Shot tourney; the yearly affair, presented by DC Assault (AAU) pits some of the best players in America against one another.

The following players are i95Ballerz.com's 16 under and 15 under age classification standouts:

16 and under

MVP - Lionel Green – sophomore guard, 6’3” 170 lbs, Team Melo – Capable of playing either guard position, Green has star potential as he can score and pass; his talent and skill level are unquestioned. Must become a better defender and play hard constantly.

Quinton Judd – sophomore swingman, 6’5”, 180 lbs, Team Melo – A dead eye shooter, Judd easily cans shots from three point range. Needs to work on midrange shooting and ball patting.

Jack Earley gets a block in the championship game.

Jack Earley – sophomore swingman, 6’4”, 175 lbs, VA Cardinals – Earley simply hits shots, from long distance or mid-range. He also is capable of making other plays, like passes, rebounds and steals. Must work on strength and lateral quickness. Princeton, Marymount and ODU have shown interest.

Jamal Lewis - sophomore point guard, 6’0”, 160 lbs, DC Assault Gold – Capable of driving, shooting and dropping off, Lewis’ star is ascendant. Must continue becoming a floor general, which he’s doing.

Tamaj Porter - sophomore forward, 6’8”, 190 lbs, Connecticut Elite – Athletic and tough, Porter gets up the floor and finishes hard. Footwork and shooting range are necessary points of improvement. Seton Hall, St. Johns, Marquette and others have taken notice.

James Jennings - sophomore point guard, 5’9”, 165 lbs, Connecticut Elite – Atlantic 10 schools are interested in Jennings, a pass first point guard. Jumpshooting improvement is necessary.

Nate Britt III – freshman point guard, 6’0”, 160 lbs, DC Assault Gold – A good all around guard, Britt can shoot (with both hands), drive and pass. This guard whose rounding into a top flight floor leader, must get stronger.

Jamal Artis – sophomore swingman, 6’5”, 190 lbs, Baltimore Elite – Another in the long line of B’More swingmen Artis can slash, shoot and score. Must concentrate on conditioning and all around consistency.

16 and Under Sleepers

Aaron Godeanus – sophomore center, 6’10”, 190 lbs, VA Cardinals – Godeanus is a solid shot blocker and improving rebounder. Greater strength and improved footwork are necessary.

Kael Locke – sophomore forward, 6’4”, 220 lbs, Team Melo – Possessing good feet and being a solid passer, Locke will bang also. Must work on perimeter skills.

Cyrus Jones pats in a semi-final game.

Cyrus Jones – sophomore guard, 5’11”, 185 lbs, Baltimore Elite – This footballer is tough yet skilled. His jumpshot needs improvement.

Justin Goldsboro – sophomore forward, 6’8”, 190 lbs, DC Assault Gold – Athletic and long, Justin can block shots and finish around the tin. Footwork and shooting touch are being developed.

15 and under

MVP - Shakur Edwards – freshman swingman, 6’4”, 175 lbs, NJ Playaz – Edwards has can’t miss written all over him, as he’s a dead-eye shooter that can also finish hard on fastbreaks. His handle must improve going forward.

Daquan ‘Day-Day-McNeil – freshman guard, 6’2”, 170 lbs, Baltimore Elite – McNeil can do a little bit of everything, including slash, shoot, pat and defend; he was nearly voted 15u MVP. His jumpshot’s consistency can be improved with more strength.

Shakur Edwards off the bounce.

Kavon Stewart – freshman point guard, 5’11”, 150 lbs, NJ Playaz – A top flight penetrator, Stewart’s jumpshot has to improve, as does his left hand handle.

Maurice White – freshman forward, 6’3”, 185 lbs, Baltimore Elite – White is a solid all around player that must advance his perimeter skills.

Ramello Trimble – Eighth grade swingman, 6’2”, 170 lbs, DC Assault – Possessing considerable scoring skill (shooting and driving), Trimble must continue physical development work, thereby improving his athletic ability.

Antonio Haskins – freshman guard, 6’1”, 150 lbs, MD’s Finest – Haskins is a flat out scorer that must work on going left and get stronger.