May
11,
2009
By
Tim
Chialastri
Capitol Hoops President
Discuss Your Opinion On Message Board
Nike
Baltimore Elite Invitational Recap
Capitol Hoops Press
16&U / 15&U Recap Coming Soon!
Sunday was a challenging
day at the Hoop Magic Facility , as tempers flared
threatening a possible stoppage of action , but
nevertheless the tournament concluded and the
championship teams were awarded.
17&U Championship - Team Takeover 87 Hoop
Magic 68
Hoop Magic defeated Nike Baltimore Elite in the
semifinals on a pair of Curtis Symonds free throws
as regulation expired. In the championship game
however it was Eugene McRory (26pts) and Jerian
Grant (left) who's big play kept Team Takeover at a
measurable lead throughout the contest.
Most Impressive - Will Barton 6'6" SG Nike
Baltimore Elite: Will "The Thrill" Barton continued
his onslaught of deadly play throughout the tourney.
Barton averaged 19.3ppg and nearly 4 dunks per
contest.
Most Upside - CJ Leslie 6'9" SF Carolina
Cobras: Leslie dropped 25pts against the FBCG
Disciples in a loss. Watching CJ is like watching a
created player on NBA 2K9 as the 6'9" SG has
tremendous ball handling skills , an area of
improvement would be outside shooting.
Most Improved - Jerian Grant 6'5" SG Nike
Team Takeover: Son of NBA Harvey Grant , Jerian has
a completely different style than his Dad. Grant has
a sweet stroke , improved athleticism and played the
point guard position occasionally. Look for Grant to
have a breakout season at Dematha along with
Victor Oladipo teaming up on the wings.
Josh Selby 6'3" PG Nike Baltimore Elite:
The Tennessee bound guard is athletic as they come ,
at his best when attacking the rim aggressively.
Kevin Smith 6'0" PG Nike Baltimore Elite:
Smith the younger guard from the 2011 class , has a
run and gun style of play. Smith can turn it up
offensively , is quick and a good ball handler.
Playing behind two Top 25 national recruits in
Barton and Selby will be a learning experience for
the Brooklyn , NY guard.
Eugene McRory 6'7" PF - Team Takeover has
a pair of improved players , as McRory just missed
the most improved award slighted by teammate Jerian
Grant. McRory is slightly undersized for a power
forward at 6'7" 1/2 but has soft hands around the
basket. Dropped 26pts in the championship win.
Tyshawn Bell 6'7" SF Delaware
Sharpshooters: Bell has a solid outside shot ,
teammate Anthony Myles is a solid mid-major as well.
Dame Damka 6'7" PF DC Assault White: Damka
is strong and quick , if athleticism improves he
will be a force at Progressive Christian Academy
this year.
Maurice Williams 6'1" PG Team
Takeover Black
- Playing behind Kendall Marshall at O'Connell has
limited exposure but Williams is tough and a floor
leader.
Skylar Jones 6'4" SG Team Takeover Black -
Solid mid-major prospect out of Mount Vernon High
School in VA.
Eric Gershowitz 6'1" SG Maryland Tigers -
Gershowitz is one to consider if long range shooting
is a neccessity , D-2 / D-3 prospect.
PJ Lockridge 6'6" SF Hoop Magic: Lockridge
(cousin of Caron Butler) is an athletic swigman.
Lockridge led Hoop Magic in the championship game
with 19pts , teammates Stephan Manga and Cutris
Symonds added some solid play.
RJ Sims 6'4" SG Md Runnin Rebels - Sims is
not a high major , but be on the lookout for the
crafty guard from Friendly High School.
Devin Gallman 6'5" SG FBCG Disciples -
Gallman is drawing lower D-1 interest , had a solid
showing this weekend.
JC Carlton 6'7" PF Carolina Crusaders:
Carlton who was born in the Washington , DC area is
drwaing interest from Western Carolina , Liberty ,
Jacksonville and a handful of other mid-majors.
