Easter Hoop Fest Snapshots
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Following are talented players (some are may be slept on), observed during the Charlie Weber Easter Hoop Fest. All of these young guys played in the 17 and under division, and all but one are uncommitted:
Mike Scott, PA Crusaders. Post Grad, Franklin Learning Center
(PA), 6’1”, 175lbs.
Strengths: Consummate floor leader who can shoot, drive, and defend. Is
also very tough, which he exhibited by playing with a high ankle sprain
received after a hard foul in the semi-finals.
Weaknesses: Can still get stronger, but is a gym rat so he will. Also,
his jumper’s range can be increased.
School list: TCU (offered), Robert Morris
(offered), Texas A&M, Arkansas,
Howard, St. Johns, University
of Buffalo. Decision will be made in 2-3 weeks.
Mike Scott of the PA Crusaders is the prototypical floor general.
Maurice “Mo” Creek, Triple Threat. Sophomore, Oxon
Hill High (MD), 6’3”, 170lbs.
Strengths: Can flat out shoot it. Is a gym rat who understands the game
– rarely forces bad shots. Will rebound and defend.
Weaknesses: Can work on his handle and strength, both points of development
he has embraced.
School list: Georgetown, Maryland, UConn
and a slew of others.
Dominique Rutledge, Team New Jersey Elite Orange. Junior, Edison
Academy (NJ) 6’7”, 215lbs.
Strengths: Hyper-athletic. As Elite’s coach, Galen Smith said, “He’s
a freak. He can play everything from two (shooting guard) to five (center)”.
Finishes hard on breaks.
Weaknesses: Improve ball handling and face up moves, which he has, through
extensive drilling.
School list: Rutgers, St. Joes, University
of Houston, VCU, Farleigh Dickenson
(offered), Penn State (offered).
Rutledge shared he plans to choose a school “at the end of next
year”, and is seeking a program that has “a structured environment”.
Dominque Rutledge is uber-athletic
Chris Turner, D-One Sports. Junior, Winchendon Prep (CT), 6’5”,
185lbs.
Strengths: Durham, NC native Can shoot and drive, as an athletic two guard.
Length allows him to be versatile on the floor.
Weaknesses: Needs to be more consistent on the defensive end of the floor.
Can strengthen handle and decision making as well, particularly for fast
break opportunities.
School list: Charlotte, South Carolina,
NC State, East Carolina, and others.
Rashad Chavis: Carolina Cobra All-Star Team. Junior, New Horizon
Prep (NC). 6’1”, 185lbs
Strengths: Athletic shooting guard, capable of driving to the cup or hitting
the outside shot. Also willing to pass and find open teammates, as well
as defend.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve handle and outside shot’s consistently.
School list: North Carolina A&T, UNCG,
College of Charleston, VCU
Antoine “Rookie” Allen, Cecil Kirk. Junior, Lake
Clifton High (MD), 6’1”, 180lbs.
Strengths: Comptetive lead guard that wants badly to win. Is fearless
on the court, and will not back down from a challenge. Likes to penetrate
and find teammates.
Is a good defender, something developed at Cecil said one of the team’s
coaches, Calvin Dotson. Allen has embraced that aspect of hoops, as he
believes “College coaches like players that will defend”.
Dotson believes Allen will only get better.
Weaknesses: Allen believes he must continue “learning to be a leader”
and overall consistency.
School list: Towson, Temple, Stanford
and a host of mid-major schools. Wants to major in Business Management.
Has a 3.0 GPA.
Allen is called 'Rookie' by the Cecil family because last year was his first of AAU/travel team ball.