Hold’n Court: The HoopGroup Blogs

I said I would take a break from Blogging but something big happened last week. Something every kid who feels forgotten can lean on and learn from.  Stephanie Cardamone committed to Bryant University. Now this may not be a big a story to most. I believe this a huge event for one reason and one reason only. She did it quietly. She now is a role model for any player under the radar. When you attend Freehold Township High School, you are not on college coaches must stop and see list. Miss Cardamone made no All Shore or All State Teams. Now you may ask how a future Div 1 player can be so forgotten. It simple! People want to talk about and follow the best teams. Not every kid is lucky enough to play on such teams. But here is why every kid and parent should remember the name Stephanie Cardamone

First Cardamone did something very few kids do today. She played the game because she loved it! This is a kid who never passed on a game or work out. In a time when the first thing kids ask before showing up in the gym is “who is playing” or “what college coaches’ are coming?” Cardamone had another question. What time and where. She watched as other girls got more recognition than she did. She watched other kids take short cuts and still get love from the media as she got little or none. Yet she stayed the course. Never bitter always smiling.

 The first time I met Stephanie was in a gym. That’s a great start for any kid trying to get better. Then I watched her play AAU for a not so great team. In fact I will go on record and say it was a joke program. This is one of the few times you will see me write something negative on my Blog. I need to make a point in this case. The team was made up of players who were not committed and neither was the coach. What did Stephanie do? She asked the central jersey hawks younger team could she practice with them. I said Practice not play! How many kids would practice with a younger group of girls knowing they would never play in games…I have the answer… only the special ones. It’s called putting your ego aside. This is a kid who wanted to get better and did not care how she did it. If the coaching wouldn’t come to her, she would go to it.

I want to talk a little more about her work ethic. This was a typical week for Stephanie. She would go work out on weekends with Don Hampton who loves to teach, she attended NBS a great place to test your talent.  Then she would do her weight training during the week and show up at core skills twice a week. I forgot one important thing. The kid simply went all out all the time. She thought nothing of fighting with her mom because she wanted to stay later in the gym or refused to leave the gym because of family personal commitments. The young lady had a goal and was not going to allow anyone to out work her!! Remember she had to do it without fanfare.

This summer Stephanie went to Australia to play! She wanted to challenge herself…. Then she played for the Don Hampton’s AAU team. She needed some exposure. There are no guarantees playing for Don Hampton. Stephanie could have easily been lost in the mist of all the talent on this team. They have five division one players! Including Brooke Hampton, who is a Big East player, get the picture? Yet she believed her talent was special. I was sitting in my house one afternoon and got a text from a college coach. The text read “just saw Hampton team play, Cardamone the best player in the building today”. I forwarded that text to Mrs. Cardamone, I wanted her know that coaches were seeing the light. That yes her daughter was special. All the driving and money spent on training was now going to be rewarded. The fact she and her husband believed in her daughter was the key to everything. The long hours and endless road trips that make you wonder is it worth it? They got their answer…YES..about a month later I got another call from a school. They were trying to reach the Cardamone family in the worst way. This Div 1 School wanted to offer Cardamone. The family was driving to Florida to watch Stephanie do what she loves…play basketball! Mrs Cardamone said tell him we will get back to them. Stephanie was doing what she liked most at that time…playing basketball! Stephanie had more than her fair schools to choose from… She picked a great one I think… She did it without HYPE and more important she did it by out working the system. If you are a player at a school under the radar, the media has forgotten you; you win no awards and have no talking you up! Pick up the Stephanie Cardamone blue print on how to make a NAME FOR YOURSELF, LOVE THE GAME and GET BETTER EVERYDAY… Put your ego away; don’t worry that a Tiny Green doesn’t write about you on a Blog. Believe in yourself and your family…. THEN YOU WILL LIVE THE DREAM….Stephanie Cardamone is an example of….. It’s what YOU BELIEVE and not what others think!!!….Stephanie Cardamone a role model for the forgotten!…The Ricco race is over and Stephanie Cardamone you win by a MILE:)

Hoop Group Skills Camp closed their final traditional skills camp of the summer with a competitive week of camp. All summer the Hoop Group staff preached to work hard everyday, and even in the hot August summer sun, all the campers worked hard on their game and looked to improve.  The following are the top players from camp from the week.

ACC Division

Quade Green

Tim Metamney

Julian Cruz

Bernard James

Matthew Tong

Adam Hom

Craig Lapham

Andre Mitchell

Noah Allen

Matt Davis

Carter Massengill

Ty’ray Johnson

Sean Farren

Bryce Greene

Isaiah Allen

Big East

Victor Jusino

Peter Christ

Rob Heller

Tom Sekella

Joe Nuzziale

Blaze Arunzullo

Vinnie Facchino

Anthony Valdez

Tim Youreneff

Andrew Brucella

Clayton Durant

Jeremy Ake

Mustafa Jones

TJ Verdigilone

Wayne Bennin

NBA

Nan Yiljep

Chiek Sysavane

Rayvon Singleton

Wayne Clark

Jordan Alston

Long Yiljep

Areef Atenda

Tyrell Dixon

Royce Paris

Merault Alomonar

David Watson

Jaquan Bryant

Monty Howard

Congrats to our award winners at camp!
ACC

Allstar MVP- Quade Green

Hot Shot Champ- Bryce Green

FreeThrow Champ- Craig Lapham

1 on 1 Champ- Quade Green

League MVP- Andrew Lee

League MIP- Jason Kramer

Big East

 Allstar MVP- Peter Christ

Hot Shot Champ- Vinnie Facchino

Free Throw Champ- Vinne Facchino

1 on 1 Champ- Peter Christ

MVP- Rob Heller

MIP- Anthony Valdez

NBA Division

Allstar MVP- Royce Paris

1 on 1 Champ- Rayvon Singleton

League MVP- Nan Yiljep

League MIP- Tim Gavin

The summer has been full of surprises. Coaches changing schools, players trying to start over and of course new stars emerging. The summer period has now become almost as active and important as the High School season.
 On the coaching front, JT leaving Colts neck is likely the biggest story. It’s not often a coach will leave such a stacked team. JT did a great job of attracting players and putting them in a winning style of play. It will be interesting to see who Colts Neck hires. One interesting person is Corey Cohen; he has a college coaching background, a winning high school coaching background and is totally wired to the shore area. The fact that he has a relationship with some of the Colts Neck players also is a plus.
 Holmdel made, what I think, was a great move. They hired Bob Ward who has seen it all. He will demand nothing but the best from his kids. The parents will give him lots of wiggle room because of his background. I would not be shocked if Holmdel is rolling in a year or two. The fact the Holmdel took there time and hired such a well respected coach can be a blue print for other struggling schools to follow.
 Now the Manasquan thing can be very tricky. First, Felix will have to make sure everyone knows he is the voice of the program. Then he must become the face of the program. Now both of these things will not be easy. Second, being an AAU coach can work for him and against him. When things go bad they will say he coaches like an AAU coach. If things go well they will say the US HOOPS connection is the reason for success. Felix may have the hardest road to navigate.
 
Then we have Chyna Golden and Michaela Maybrey, both starting over! Chyna really changes the balance of the Shore Conference. To be able to suit up a Div 1 center with those great guards make Neptune scary.  Some people may say she is trying to get an athletic or recruiting advantage. These people have no idea what they are talking about. Why? Chyna is the lead recruit for no less than 4 Div 1 schools that I have personally spoken to. So her moving to Neptune is purely for personal reasons. She does not need Neptune to get recruited! Young people change all the time. Chyna is no different. She is just doing what she thinks is best for her!
 Maybrey changing schools is more of a personal risk than anything else. I felt Maybrey had a chance to be one of the best players in the Shore Conference. Yet we forget that other factors come into play: Trust, and do you like your teammates? Do you fit into the school population? Then what about the long drive to school? All these things must add up for a young person. In Maybrey’s case it did not! Everyone thinks SJV is the big loser in this case. Well I disagree. Maybrey, I believe would have been a player of the year candidate in the near future if she had stayed at SJV.  However, I think it’s safe to say that this is not going to happen unless a miracle happens at Manasquan. Maybrey was the media darling last year. I doubt that Manasquan will be on many peoples top 5 list of schools to see. Last and most important, will the media disregard her stats at a school like Manasquan because they are not winning and are not playing against the best competition. It was not long ago a great player at RBR (Deanna Mendeslson) put up scary numbers only to have them dismissed because her team was not very good. So when you think Maybrey is being self centered remember she has given up quite a bit.  Make no doubt this young lady is taking a risk many kids would not. The most important thing is: college coaches know she is a great player!
 
The summer is a time for a player to raise his or her stock. Let me say something to all parents. I have heard many college coaches talk more about not recruiting kids because of the parents profile being to big! I recently called a coach about a player. This coach told me the kids parents were an issue. Coaches are afraid of parents who talk. Why you ask? Coaches know parents who talk will one day talk to Athletic Directors and newspapers, which can cause problems for everyone.
Now who are my players whose stock grew this summer? Before I start let me say this, Emily Lawrence of Colts Neck would have been on this list. Before her injury she was on the tip of so many college coaches’ tongues. She has size and talent. I believe she will have a great year and get back on track.
STOCK UP PLAYERS:
 I have not included players like Sam Clark, Brooke Hampton, Semonyeh Allen, Michaela Maybrey or Lauren Clarke to name a few. These players have long been on division 1 schools radars. Unlike the players listed below.
Here we go…
 Allison Sweeney - I believe she did not have a scholarship offer going into the summer. That has all changed; she has no less than three Div 1 offers. Size and shooting is not easy to find. Sweeney, Hall, Chambers, Clarke… St. Rose my friends is loaded.
Christa Evans - All I can say is wow. If you knew the schools interested in her it would shock you! We are talking a top 5 program in the country.  She may be the best junior post player in the state. By the way she is an A+ student! Don Hampton and Rachel Goodale have to be credited for this great turn of events!
Stephanie Cardamone- All high school players should follow this young ladys’ example. She plays on what can be called a lower tier high school team. That means  she gets no love from the media. Yet listen to what this young lady did…She attended NBS, Don Hampton training and Core Skills at rebounds. Throw in the weight training and you got a few Div 1 scholarships to choose from. No player has been more committed to getting better!
 Lauren Romano- She plays in Ocean County. You know the place where everyone dismisses anything you accomplish. Well Lauren made some noise this summer. She has shown coaches she can shoot the ball. More important she did it on the AAU circuit. I expect her to build on her summer. People, this kid  put up numbers last year. The coaches are starting to notice her.
 Nicole Lentini - is really interesting to me. I didn’t see her until the end of the summer. She did not disappoint. Now here is a kid suffering from lack of exposure.  There is no doubt she is a scholarship player at some level. Her play at Academic Elite was a nice surprise. I say she will no doubt have more than a few schools chasing her before the season is done!
Costello of Jackson who signed to play soccer at a Div 1 school is simply the toughest guard I saw all summer. I don’t know what her basketball plans are, but make no mistake she will be on my all shore pre-season team. This kid along with the Jackson team is special and people are going to find out very quickly next season.
Kristen Sharkey- of Southern stocks just grows everyday. Sharkey who was under the radar all season last year until she almost took Rumson out last year in the WOBM. Well Miss Sharkey may have been the buzz player of the summer. I expect her to choose a school rather quickly. She seems to be a kid who doesn’t live for attention.

 
Sara Olsen of Howell is another gym rat. This young lady took the gamble to play with the Central Jersey Hawks. It has paid off. How do we know? Div 1 schools love her and the recruiting process is going just the way she wants.  It’s not often that the schools on YOUR recruiting list want you! Oh yeah people more proof starting on an AAU team means nothing. Exposure is what counts….right SARA!
 
Megan McGuiness- simply the most improved player in the Shore Conference. No Players stock has rose more. Megan did more for her future this summer than ANYONE. She is only a junior and I expect college coaches to flock to Middletown South. Once again combine a great high school coach with a quality AAU program and this is what you get. We will have a special on Megan in the near future!

 
The Shore senior class currently has 6 players who have been offered Div 1 scholarships. I believe this number may grow to 8…The shore is amazing. I will say it again. The youth programs are the backbone. Mid Monmouth basketball is a blessing no other county in the country has. I dare anyone to tell me another county in the COUNTRY that is developing more players.
 I just would like to say this summer has been so much fun.  I will not blog again until NBS and Core Skills is up and running. We will get a chance to see many of the best players at that point. Please e-mail me about any interesting news or if you believe I am missing something worth writing about.  Good luck to everyone for the remainder of the summer.
 

by Alex Schwartz

The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp has come to an end, as have the organization’s fantastic summer events at Albright College. Wednesday was the fourth and final day, and it was playoff and all-star time. The day started off with four sets of games, which counted as the playoffs, and then came the awards ceremony, which was followed by the NCAA and NBA all-star games. The playoffs allowed for me to see the final two teams I had yet to see, as well as a few more. In the games that I saw, the following players stood out (the players in the NCAA have stars after their names):

5’9 Marcel Allen ’13, Dodd (NY)
5’11 Matt Angelos ’13, Episcopal Academy (PA)
5’7 Naz Chew ’14, Trenton Catholic (NJ)
5’0 Deante Cole ’14, St. James Incarnation Catholic (NJ)*
6’1 Kyle Cook ’13, Harrisburg (PA)
5’7 Chris Coston ’14, Middle River (MD)*
5’3 Kevin Crutchfield ’15, South Brandywine (PA)*
5’8 Langston Glaude ’14, Princeton Day School (NJ)*
6’1 Evan Gordinier ’14, Monmouth Beach (NJ)
5’11 Alec Gewirtz ’14, New Canaan County School (CT)*
5’2 Deonte Hall ’15, Lester B. Pearson (CAN)*
5’9 Austin Hawkins ’14, Mead (PA)
5’11 Rasheed Jordan ’13, Imhotep Cahrter (PA)
5’11 Tyler Kohl ’14, Easton Area (PA)*
5’5 Hunter Lybeck ’13, Castleton Village School (VT)*
6’2 Josh Marquez ’13, DePaul Catholic (NJ)
6’9 Jerrel Patterson ’13, Harrisburg (PA)
5’5 Tarin Smith ’14, Ocean Township (NJ)
5’11 Dave Stevens ’14, Lehigh Valley Christian (PA)
6’3 Geno Thorpe ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
5’7 Christopher Warren ’14, Sacred Heart (PA)*
6’7 Mike Young ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
5’8 Austin Zak ’13, Indian Hills (NJ)

Upon the completion of the camp games, it was time for the award ceremony, which included honoring the team champions. In the NBA, it was Team 5, coached by Pennsbury (PA) Assistant Coach Justin Baxter who won the title. There were also many individual accolades handed out. The following is a list of some of those awards and the recipients:

NCAA Most Improved Player: Nathaniel Wiggley ’16, Mcfarland (NJ)
NBA Most Improved Player: Rashann London ’14, Holy Cross (PA)
NCAA Most Outstanding Player: Tyler Kohl ’14, Easton Area (PA)
NBA Most Outstanding Player: 6’3 Geno Thorpe ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
NBA Most Outstanding Prospect: 6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)

Four of those five players were selected as all-stars. What’s the full list of players who made the cut? Check it out.

NCAA All Stars- Blue Team
5’3 Kendrick Jolin ’15, St. Thomas (CAN)
5’6 Samir Taylor ’15, The Philadelphia School (PA)
5’8 Joshua Gillis ’14, Kingsview (MD)
5’7 Chris Coston ’14, Middle River (MD)
6’0 Nick Angeli ’14, Satz (NJ)
6’2 Gene Bilbao ’14, Governor Mifflin (PA)
5’7 Christopher Warren ’14, Sacred Heart (PA)
5’4 Steve Denby ’14, Northwood Charter (PA)
5’2 Deonte Hall ’15, Lester B. Pearson (CAN)
5’8 Langston Glaude ’14, Princeton Day School (NJ)

NCAA All Stars- White Team
5’1 Keith Washington ’16, Ann A. Mullen (NJ)
5’5 Aaron Briggs ’14, Bullis School (MD)
5’7 Tyrell Thomas ’14, St. Jerome (MD)
5’8 Steven Milhaven ’14, Weber (NY)
5’11 Tyler Kohl ’14, Easton Area (PA)
5’0 Mikey Dixon ’15, Thomas Edison Charter (DE)
5’2 Michael Jolaoso ’15, Episcopal Academy (PA)
5’7 Jordan Holness ’15, Humberg Summit School (CAN)
5’6 Arum Krause ’15, Butler (PA)
6’0 Alex Dankl ’14, Cinnamonson (NJ)

NBA All Stars- Blue Team
5’7 Carlton Carter ’13, Brooke Point (VA)
5’11 Rashann London ’14, Holy Cross (PA)
5’11 Dave Stevens ’14, Lehigh Valley Christian (PA)
6’1 Shawn Jerry ’13, Harrisburg (PA)
6’3 Wade Walker ’13, Northstar (PA)
5’8 John Vassar ’13, Hillside School (MA)
6’2 Terrence Samuel ’13, Meyer Levin IS 285 (NY)
6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)
6’2 Michael Brown ’13, Hatboro Horsham (PA)
6’4 Reggie Cameron ’13, Paterson Catholic (NJ)

NBA All Stars- White Team
5’3 Wade Baldwin ’14, Montgomery (NJ)
5’9 Austin Hawkins ’14, Mead (PA)
5’11 Rasheed Jordan ’13, Imhotep Charter (PA)
6’1 Kyle Cook ’13, Harrisburg (PA)
6’5 Justin Jackson ’15, unknown (CAN)
5’11 Kavon Stewart ’13, Paterson Catholic (NJ)
6’1 Sterlin Johnson ’13, Tatnall School (DE)
6’3 Geno Thorpe ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
6’2 Shamier Sheppard ’13, South Shore (NY)
6’7 Mike Young ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
6’4 Josh Blagrove ’13, South Shore (NY)

In the NCAA division, the MVP was Mikey Dixon, as the young guard led his team to victory. This was the second straight year that Dixon was named the NCAA All-Star Game MVP, and last year he was also the NCAA Most Outstanding Player. In the NBA division, Mike Young was named the MVP, despite the fact that his team lost 76-74. Young was the contest’s leading scorer and rebounder. The big man was not the only standout in the game though, as Kavon Stewart, Rasheed Jordan, Reggie Cameron, John Vassar, and Brandon Austin were also superb. Others who performed well included Austin Hawkins, Carlton Carter, Terrence Samuel, and Wade Walker.

I was able to chat with a few of the players who were selected to the all-star games.

6’7 Mike Young ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
Dream School: Pitt
Strongest Point: “Rebounding.”
Weakest Point: “My shooting.”

5’9 Austin Hawkins ’14, Mead (PA)
Dream School: None
Strongest Point: “My pull-up.”
Weakest Point: “I think it would probably be my defense . . . at times. It goes up and down sometimes.”

5’2 Deonte Hall ’15, Lester B. Pearson (CAN)
Dream Schools: North Carolina, Duke, and Kansas
Strongest Points: “My ball handling and my driving.”
Weakest Point: “Jumpshot.”

The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp was definitely a great event, and it was enjoyable to see the future stars of the game!

Alex Schwartz is the President, Chief Scouting Officer, and Writer for Northstar Basketball. For more on the world of high school/grassroots hoops from Alex, check out http://blog.northstarbball.com/.

by Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball

Day three of Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp has come and gone, and all that is left is today’s playoffs, awards ceremony, and all-star games. On Tuesday I spent much of the day checking out the youngsters in the NCAA division, and was able to see all but two of the teams—I also watched a team twice and saw a team again that I watched Monday—along with watching one NBA game.  Some of the action on this day was intense and there were some great games. Which players stepped up on day three as elite performers? (Players with stars after the name are in the NCAA)

5’3 Tyrell Alexander ’15, Rippowan (CT)*
5’6 Allen Anderson ’13, Lower Merion (PA)
5’5 Kobe Ancrum ’15, Geraldine Johnson (CT)*
6’0 Nick Angeli ’14, Satz (NJ)*
6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)
5’5 Jihad Barnes ’15, Girard College (PA)*
5’3 Jake Berkowitz ’14, Birch Wathen Lenox (NY)*
6’2 Gene Bilbao ’14, Governor Mifflin (PA)*
5’2 Zackary Boczar ’14, Birch Wathen Lenox (NY)*
5’5 Aaron Briggs ’14, Bullis School (MD)*
4’11 Torrey Brittingham ’16, Steven Decatuuer (MD)*
5’7 Naz Chew ’14, Trenton Catholic (NJ)
5’7 Chris Coston ’14, Middle River (MD)*
5’0 Billy Clark ’14, JHS 13 (NY)*
5’4 Steve Denby ’14, Northwood Charter (PA)*
5’0 Mikey Dixon ’15, Thomas Edison Charter (DE)*
4’10 Tony Ellington ’15, Hainesport (NJ)*
5’8 Joshua Gills ’14, Kingsview (MD)*
5’8 Langston Glaude ’14, Princeton Day School (NJ)*
4’11 Marquis Irizarry ’15, St. Patrick’s Academy (NJ)*
5’2 Michael Jolaoso ’15, Episcopal Academy (PA)*
5’11 Rasheed Jordan ’13, Imhotep Charter (PA)
5’0 Steve Jordan ’15, Girard College (PA)*
5’10 Antonio Kellem ’15, Freedom (PA)*
5’8 Levon Kelsey ’14, Daniel Boone (PA)*
5’5 Keenan Krause ’15, Butler (PA)*
5’1 Jeremiah Livingston ’15, Cloonan (CT)*
5’11 Rashann London ’14, Holy Cross (PA)
6’2 Josh Marquez ’13, DePaul Catholic (NJ)
5’2 Daiquan Martin ’15, unknown*
5’7 Mike Martin ’15, St. Catherine (NJ)*
4’10 Bryon McMillian ’14, St. Augustine (DC)*
5’8 Steven Milhaven ’14, Weber (NY)*
5’5 Sam Norton ’15, Wyndcroft (PA)*
4’11 Jimmy Panzini ’15, HW Mountz (NJ)*
5’8 Matthew Penecale ’15, Abington (PA)*
5’6 Gary Stewart ’14, Oxon Hills (MD)*
5’7 Isiah Taylor ’15, Montgomery (NJ)*
5’6 Samir Taylor ’15, The Philadelphia School (PA)*
5’7 Tyrell Thomas ’14, St. Jerome (MD)*
5’7 Christopher Warren ’14, Sacred Heart (PA)*

There was one player in each division who truly stood out above the rest on Tuesday. In the NBA, it was arguably the camp’s brightest prospect, in 6’4 Brandon Austin ’14. Despite being in eighth grade, when most kids his size are down low on the blocks, Austin is a pass-first point guard. “When I was younger, I just used to practice in the mirror how to dribble the ball. I look up to Allen Iverson. . . . He’s my idol, . . . so I used to try to follow what he did,” said Austin on why he is a point guard despite his height. The lanky City of Brotherly Love star did a very good job scoring the ball Tuesday, while also getting teammate involved, leading his team to a double overtime victory. Austin knocked in some tough jumpers, while also finishing around the rim, playing very good defense at times, rebounding the ball on offense, and showing off a great handle. Billy Clark ’14 is only 5’0, but he can flat-out play ball, and he does so with a tough New Yorker’s mentality. A quick and elusive guard, Clark gets to the hoop with ease and scores once there. The rising eighth grader can also knock down shots from behind the arc, which makes him a nightmare for defenses.

During the day, I chatted with several players and asked them a few questions. Have a look:

6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)
Dream School: Villanova
Strongest Points: “My handle and my height.”
Weakest Point: “Defense.”

6’2 Gene Bilbao ’14, Governor Mifflin (PA)
Dream Schools: Bucknell and Siena
Strongest Points: “My inside moves and my rebounding.”
Weakest Point: “I’d have to say [playing on] the outside.”

5’6 Gary Stewart ’14, Oxon Hills (MD)
Dream Schools: Duke, UCLA, and Dartmouth
Strongest Points: “Three-point shooting, handles, and if I have a mismatch, I can post someone up.”
Weakest Point: “I need to get back in shape. I need to run more, get out on the track, and do a bit more exercise.”

5’3 Tyrell Alexander ’15, Rippowan (CT)
Dream School: North Carolina
Strongest Points: “My shot, and being able to depend on my teammates.”
Weakest Point: “My handle.”

5’0 Mikey Dixon ’15, Thomas Edison Charter (DE)
Dream School: Memphis
Strongest Points: “My dribbling, and in the lane shooting floaters.”
Weakest Point: “I think I got to start hustling more . . . if I don’t have the ball in my hands.”

5’2 Michael Jolaoso ’15, Episcopal Academy (PA)
Dream School: Syracuse
Strongest Point: “My penetration.”
Weakest Point: “I’d say I have to work on my jumpshot a bit more.”

With one day left, there is still time for players to make names for themselves. Who will step up? Who will be The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp all-stars?

Alex Schwartz is the President, Chief Scouting Officer, and Writer for Northstar Basketball. For more on the world of high school/grassroots hoops from Alex, check out http://blog.northstarbball.com/.

by Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball

The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp got underway on Sunday with tryouts and the draft, but it was Monday that the real action started. Although there are no Division I college coaches allowed to work camp this year, per new NCAA regulations, the coaching staff still includes some quality instructors, such as Lawrence Academy (MA) Assistant Coach Kevin Sullivan. Last year, players such as Matt Banas ’12 and Jaylen Beckham ’12 used Junior Elite Camp as springboards to becoming high-major recruits, while others such as Britton Lee ’13, Brandon Austin ’14, and Mikey Dixon ’15—the second two listed are back in 09—gave us a glimpse into the future. Who will excel at camp this year?

The ballers are split into an NBA division with eight teams and an NCAA division with 14 teams. On Monday I was able to catch all eight NBA teams play, and actually saw two play twice. In addition, I checked out two of the NCAA squads. The list of standout performers—the players with stars are those in the NCAA—are as follows:

6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)
5’3 Wade Baldwin ’14, Montgomery (NJ)
5’4 Nassir Barrino ’14, Hawthorne Ave School (NJ)
6’4 Josh Blagrove ’13, South Shore (NY)
6’4 Reggie Cameron ’13, Paterson Catholic (NJ)
5’7 Carlton Carter ’13, Brooke Point (VA)
5’7 Naz Chew ’14, Trenton Catholic (NJ)
6’1 Kyle Cook ’13, Harrisburg (PA)
6’1 Evan Gordinier ’14, Monmouth Beach Elementary (NJ)
6’0 Lavar Harewood ’14, IS 302 (NY)
5’8 Kyle Jeffery ’14, Oak Hill Academy (NJ)*
5’1 Isiah Jennings ’15, Swain (PA)*
6’1 Shawn Jerry ’13, Harrisburg (PA)
6’1 Sterlin Johnson ’13, Tatnall School (DE)
5’3 Kendrick Jolin ’15, St. Thomas (CAN)*
5’11 Rasheed Jordan ’13, Imhotep Charter (PA)
5’11 Rashann London ’14, Holy Cross (PA)
6’2 Josh Marquez ’13, DePaul Catholic (NJ)
6’2 Kamar McKnight ’15, Portage (CAN)
5’4 Cheyenne Nettleton ’15, IS 227 (NY)
5’10 Branon Poole ’14, Middle Rivers (MD)*
6’1 Ian Rohde ’13, Ryerson (NJ)
6’2 Terrence Samuel ’13, Meyer Levin IS 285 (NY)
5’5 Devon Shelton ’14, Levitt (NJ)*
6’2 Shamier Sheppard ’13, South Shore (NY)
5’5 Austin Shirley ’14, Treffedryn Eastown (PA)*
5’3 Louie Soscia ’14, All Saints School (NJ)*
5’11 Dave Stevens ’14, Lehigh Valley Christian (PA)
5’11 Kavon Stewart ’13, Paterson Catholic (NJ)
6’3 Geno Thorpe ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
6’3 Anontio Toplyn ’14, Glenn Landing (PA)
5’6 John Vassar ’13, Hillside School (MA)
6’3 Wade Walker ’13, Northstar (PA)
5’7 Scott Weatherwax ’14, Columbia Central (MI)*
5’0 Keenan Williams ’14, Paulsboro (NJ)*
6’7 Mike Young ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
5’8 Austin Zak ’13, Indian Hills (NJ)
5’8 Reed Zak ’13, Indian Hills (NJ)

Out of these players, a few of the stars shined the brightest. In the NBA division it was three guards, a wing, and a big man that made the biggest impression on day two. Kavon Stewart ’13 has already been on the scene for awhile and is one of the players here who has already begun to make a name for himself. His performance on Monday showed why he has been getting that recognition. At 5’11, Stewart has great size for a freshman point guard. He is quick, distributes the ball well, is a true floor general, and can score the rock too. John Vassar ’13 is undersized at 5’6, but his speed and quickness make up for it in some ways. The young guard has a great handle, plays very good defense, pass well, and can score a bit too. Wade Baldwin ’13 showed that he is not just a shooter on this day, as he also scored by getting to the cup. A quality offensive player, Baldwin was making a lot of noise with his game. Geno Thorpe ’13 scored the ball like it was his job here at Albright College. The freshman wing continuously put the ball in the hoop, as he got to the cup with ease, using his great athleticism. Another player who scored a lot was Antonio Toplyn ’14, who is already 6’3 and is going into just eighth grade. The post player uses stellar athletic ability to get off shots in the paint, and he also rebounds well. The prime standout in the NCAA was Austin Shirley ’14. The young guard’s size—he is just 5’5—did not hold him back, as he got the ball to teammates, scored off the bounce, and also knocked in some shots. Shirley helped his team fight back from a 22-2 deficit through one quarter of play to get a 48-42 victory. Said Shirley of how the team was able to climb back and get the win, “We pulled together [as a] team. . . . There’s no ‘I’ in team. We came together, passed the ball, got shots, and played good D.” Team basketball, now that’s a great concept!

Throughout the course of the day I had a chance to chat with some of the standout players. Almost all of these kids have not yet started to receive any college attention, so instead I asked them about other things.

5’11 Kavon Stewart ’13, Paterson Catholic (NJ)
Dream School: Florida
Strongest Point: “Attacking the basket.”
Weakest point: “Using different fundamentals, like . . . pass faking [and] post moves.”

6’3 Geno Thorpe ’13, Shady Side Academy (PA)
Dream School: Pitt
Strongest Point: “The way I attack the basket, . . . but it can only take me so far.”
Weakest point: “Probably my shot. That’s something I’ve got to work on and get better at.”

5’6 John Vassar ’13, Hillside School (MA)
Dream Schools: North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, and Memphis
Strongest Point: “[Either] me being able to get to the hole or my pull-up jumper.”
Weakest Point: “I’ve just got to work on my three-point shooting. It’s okay now, but I want to get it to where I . . . just don’t miss that much.”

6’3 Wade Walker ’13, Northstar (PA)
Dream School: West Virginia
Strongest Point: “Hustle.”
Weakest Point: “My dribbling.”

Wade Baldwin ’14, Montgomery MS (NJ)
Dream School: Virginia Tech
Strongest Point: “Shooting.”
Weakest Point : “I need to work on my ball handling, and also leadership.”

5’5 Austin Shirley ’14, Tredeffryn Eastown (PA)
Dream School: None
Strongest Point: “Probably my shot.”
Weakest Point: “Probably my ball handling. . . . I can keep working on that.”

6’3 Antonio Toplyn ’14, Glen Landing (NJ)
Dream School: Temple
Strongest Point: “Being on the box”
Weakest Point: “My right hand.”

5’4 Cheyenne Nettleton ’15, IS 227 (NY)
Dream School: UConn
Strongest Point: “My dribbling and my attacking.”
Weakest Point: “Going right and my jumpshot.”

The 2009 Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp is halfway done, but there is still a lot more basketball to be played. To follow the action as it happens you can use Twitter and follow TheHoopGroup and NorthstarBball.

Alex Schwartz is the President, Chief Scouting Officer, and Writer for Northstar Basketball. For more on the world of high school/grassroots hoops from Alex, check out http://blog.northstarbball.com/.