College Coaches, √. Long check in lines, √. The live period is up and running as the EPLAY Boys Summer Championship rolled out for its inaugural step into grassroots basketball at Duncanville Fieldhouse and Friday evening drew a slew of matchups and players that the TBB staff have been waiting to see.
Jay Wilson Shines at EPLAY
The long, athletic 2020 Jay Wilson showed an improved feel when operating on the perimeter and looked to make an impact right off the tip as he was active on the glass and finished in traffic. Wilson is a top 15 TBB player for 2020 and has all the tools to becoming a HM player when it is all said and done.
Sterling Hopkins Running the Show
When discussing important features for point guards, how they manage the floor and their team is brought up. On Friday, 2019 Sterling Hopkins continued to play with poise and made smart reads in the open court and the half-court setting. Still parts of his game that need improvement but Hopkins on Friday had his best outing seen from the staff this Spring.
Johns, Poleder Show Potential
2019 Nigel Johns and James Poleder are developing big men that in spurts impacted the game on both sides of the floor. Johns was influential in key defensive stops for BlueStar Shooters in their OT win on Friday and Poleder for Southwest Elite fights on the glass and seems to have his hand on every rebound. These next 9-10 months will be key to their development as both players have the size and frame to make a stamp inside, but still are understanding how to put it all together.
Player Standouts
Noah Wheeless, 2018 G – Southwest Elite: Wheeless was unconscious from three as he knocked down 8 shots from deep. His ability to get his feet set quick and move to the spots to space the floor was key to getting the shots he wanted in transition.
Travonte Doolittle, 2018 G – All Arkansas Red: The lefty out of Earl High School changed speeds very well which allowed him to get to the cup on Friday. He excelled in the open court and got to his spots on the floor off the bounce that freed up his teammates for open looks.
Tynen Fletcher, 2018 SF – LA Rockfish: Rockfish started pool play 1-0 with a win vs YGC36 Black and Fletcher had a all around strong game. Fletcher navigated well inside and finished in traffic. He shoots it off the bounce and defensively played with intensity and length that resulted in turnovers which led to fastbreak opportunities.
Quevian Adger, 2020 F – BMM Black: The young BMM group faced off against a scrappy NJH squad and fell short. Adger showed extended range on his jumper and starting to make quicker reads when operating from the perimeter.
Chris Baguma, 2018 F – CYM: Baguma played with a high motor and recorded a near double-double on Friday. He has a good feel for getting in position on the boards, runs the lanes well and can handle the ball some in the open court. Baguma will have a chance to make a name for himself with solid consistent strong outings like this.
Romel Logan, 2019 F – YGC36 Black: Logan is a prospect that the staff is intrigued with. The 6’7 forward did a solid job finishing in traffic and defensively was active in help side and moved laterally. Logan was a prospect the staff had a chance to see a week ago and we will continue to take a glance at him this weekend.
Jamal Shead, 2020 PG – Urban ASAK: Shead is known to score in bunches but in his first game, we saw the Pflugerville Connally product get his teammates involved early and get to his spots within the flow of the offense. When the TBB 2020 list expands, Shead name maybe seen in the top 25 as he has been catching the staff’s attention since March.
Friday Impact Performers
Jared Peele, 2018 PG – NJH
Hunter Woods, 2018 F – Los Angeles Rockfish
Clayton Wilson, 2020 F – I Am I Will 17U
Evan Ghormley, 2018 G – CYM