VA Assault Classic Standouts

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Tourney specialized in peaks into the future.

April 25, 2011 – At sites throughout Maryland and D.C., Jerry McFarland and VA Assault held the VA Assault Classic, a boy’s travel team tourney encompassing the 15u through 17u age groupings. This article contains a number of standout players this writer observed.
For the record, the following organizations secured championships:

15u – Ivy 23 59 Team Loaded 55
16u – Ivy 23 60 VA Assault 58
17u - VA Assault 64 DC Assault White 55

17u

Roderick Harrison, B’More Under Armor Elite, 5’9”, 135 lb junior guard, Dunbar (MD) – An excellent shooter out to past three point land, Harrison also generally makes good decisions in other offensive facets of the game. Needs to get stronger, which will allow him to finish better and not get bumped off his dribble.

Tommy Stepka, VA Assault, 6’5”, 170 lb sophomore forward, W.T. Woodson (VA) – Stepka shoots and makes plays in various facets of the game. Dribbling and strength are areas of needed improvement.

Rod Harrison off the bounce.

Khris Lane, VA Assault, 6’6”, 220 lb junior forward, Meadowbrook HS (VA) – Long, strong and possessing strength, Lane finishes, rebounds and is a surprisingly good spot up shooter. His footwork and ball patting need improvement. Manhattan, Loyola, Mount St. Mary’s and St. Francis (PA) are all interested.

Shon Miller, DC Assault Blue, 6’4”, 185 lb junior swingman, E. Roosevelt (MD) – A facilitator who has a decent jumper, Miller’s ball patting should be his next improvement focus.

Khalen Cumberlander, VA Assault, 6’3”, 170 lb junior guard, Coolidge (DC) – UNC Wilmington, Manhattan, Towson and College of Charleston are interested in Cumberlander, who is a slasher that can shoot as well. Defense and strength are points of necessary points of development.

Marvin White, B’More Under Armor Elite, 6’3”, 190 pound sophomore forward, St. Frances (MD) – White described his playing style as “I don’t try to do a lot of fancy things” – all he does is make plays, including shooting, finishing, passing and defending. Must bone up on his handle and get somewhat more explosive.

Mo Berchie, DC Assault Blue, 6’2”, 170 lb junior guard, Flint Hill (VA) - Berchie, a scorer, can drive and shoot, at a pretty high level. Decision making can be spotty.

Mo Berchie attacking from the perimeter.

Raheem Brown, VA Assault, 140 lb sophomore guard, Bethel (VA) – A ‘Steady Eddie’ point guard that can definitely hit the open jumper and make the right basketball play, Brown indicated he must get stronger, allowing him to finish and take contact better. Nevertheless, James Madison has offered, while Delaware, VCU, Siena and St. Peters are interested.

Brandon Peel, DC Assault White, 6’6”, 190 lb junior forward, Riverdale Baptist (MD) – Possessing long arms and great footwork, Peel’s jumpshot needs more development, allowing him to play a 4/3 mix in college.

16u

Jalen Hudson,Team Loaded, 6’3”, 170 lb freshman swingman, Benedictine HS (VA) – Long, slashing perimeter player can also shoot and handle enough to score and at times find teammates. Patting has to improve under pressure, and he must get stronger.

Jalen Hudson attacking the rim.

Markel Lodge, Team Loaded, 6’6”, 175 lb freshman forward, Miller School (VA) – Shot blocking, finishing and rebounding are Lodge’s specialties now. Must work on footwork and mid range shooting.

Devon Wilson, Team Interhigh, 6’1”, 185 lb sophomore guard, Chavez (DC) – Athletic and aggressive, Wilson needs to work on his left hand dribbling and shooting.

Davon Wilson in the paint.

Malcolm Beck, Ivy 23, 5’10”, 170 lb sophomore guard, Maret (DC) – Beck likes to score, using driving to key his offense. Has to become more of a point guard, including driving and getting off the rock (finding teammates in a timely manner).

Wayne Johnson, Ivy 23, 6’4”, 225 lb sophomore forward, McNamara (MD) – A rebounding machine, Johnson said “I need to improve my dribbling and shooting”. Back to the basket footwork should me tightened as well.

15u

Broderick Stith, Team Loaded, 6’3”, 170 lb freshman swingman, Brunswick HS (VA) – Smooth shooting with a solid all around skill set and understanding of the game, Stith should focus on strength development immediately. UVA has already offered (his father, Brian played there), while VA Tech is showing interest.

Broderick Stith tracks to be a good one.

Marsalius Purvis, Team Loaded, 6’5”, 220 lb freshman forward, Evangel Christian (VA) – Purvis likes to take it to the rack, using strength to do so. Must work on ball handling and shooting.

Justin Herron, Ivy 23, 6’4”, 230 lb freshman forward, Bullis (MD) – A two sport guy – Herron shared in football he plays “Defensive tackle and offensive tackle” and the gridiron may be where his heart is. In hoops, Herron scores in the post and via mid-range shots. His footwork must be improved.

Jaycee Wright, Ivy 23, 5’10”, 160 lb sophomore guard, Coolidge (DC) – Wright makes it happen by getting to the rack and defending. Needs to transition to more of a point guard.