Pitt Jam Fest 15U Division, LOADED!
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007For those of you who were watching the 128 17 and under teams in the 3 divisions or the 48 16 and under teams at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest this past weekend you got to see some of today’s best players from across the country showcase their skills and abilities for over 200 college coaches and scouting services over the weekend. But, if you didn’t get a chance to see the 15 and under division you missed out on the stars of tomorrow do their thing all weekend. Don’t believe us? Ask John Thompson III and Bob Huggins who were on hand and came away very impressed. The tournament featured several nationally ranked players including All Ohio Red and 15U tournament MVP Jared Sullinger, whose older brothers JJ and Julian play at Ohio State and Kent State respectively. Indiana Elite’s Deshaun Thomas, Ohio Basketball Club’s Noah Cottrill and Dakotah Eucton, New Height’s Jayvaughn Pinkston and Hakeem Harris, Illinois Wolves’ Deandre McCamey, whose older brother Demetri is headed to Illinois next year, DC Assault’s Bryon Allen, Tyler Thornton, and Eric Atkins and NY Gauchos’ Doron Lamb. Not to mention Team Final’s Dion Waiters and Tony Chenault, DC Assault’s Daryl Trayham, Boo Williams’ Kendall Marshall, NE Playaz’ Nadir Tharpe and Team Breakdown’s Brandon Knight, although they all played up this weekend. There were even a few nationally ranked 8th graders like Metro Hawks’ Shaquille Stokes who played up at the 15U age level and will attend St. Patrick’s next year. There were also some 2nd generation players competing this weekend with some familiar faces in attendance. Todd Bozeman, Former Cal head coach and current Morgan State head coach was on hand to see his son Blake who plays with the DC assault. Former New York Knick and Milwaukee Bucks forward Anthony Mason was on hand watching his son Antoine with the Metro Hawks and Robert Kelly son of Pittsburgh great “Jeep” Kelly was playing with the Pittsburgh Storm this weekend. Both Mason and Bozeman were very much into the games constantly jumping out of their seats and barking at officials during the course of the weekend. By the end of the weekend though only one team could claim the championship and it was The Sullinger led All Ohio Red team that had a teenage twin-tower combination of 6’7 Sullinger and 6’8 Adrian Payne, they also had steady guard play all weekend with Aaron Craft, Courtney Avery. They not only played stellar defense and made their open shot, they threw several on target alley oops to both Payne and Sullinger who finished with rim rocking, flair.
Written By: Arize Ifejika, Assistant Tournament Director
St. Anthony’s has produced many outstanding guards over the years. The upcoming Class of 2008 may be their best ever. Five Division 1 guards from the same school is incredible and you would think it was unprecedented. That is not the case however, while it is remarkable, it has been done before and by the Friars. Coach Bob Hurley’s powerhouse has had that once before. We go back to 1997 when the Friars had five guards that season who also, all went Division 1. I know there are some other quality programs from around the country that produce quality players, but I find it hard to believe that another school has done this twice.
The Class of 1997 had five players go Division 1 but the recruiting scene was very different than. None of the players committed until after their junior season. The Class of 1997: