RUCKER ON WOOD (CLASS OF 2014 SESSION)
Many of the following players are familiar names and faces. Additionally one of the things that separates this class into "promising territory" is the fact that over 20 of the Top 40 crabs were on varsity this past season. Woo-wee, that means experience is plentiful in 2014. Let's take a look at the players who caught the eyes of the members of the ranking panel as well as myself on Sunday. This list is not to be confused or interpreted as a rankings list (because it's not). This is merely guys who stood out consensusly on this particular afternoon.
2014 GUARDS!
BRANDON Etienne 5'10 North Shore HS - guided Team 5 to the championship. He proved that he can indeed excel and rise to the top without the help of referees. Mid range game may be one of the tops in the city in comparison to his classmates.
DAMIEN Day 6'1 Marshall HS - This kid must've had this day circled on his calendar for quite some time. He was putting in work from start to finish. It didn't hurt that he played alongside Etienne on the championship Team 5.
JALIN Hart 5'9 North Shore HS - Had a great day at the office while leading Team 7 to three consecutive wins in pool play. However, they were upset in first round. Jalin was working guys from the right perimeter.
JAMAL Williams 6'2 Episcopal HS - The ex Kempner varsity star had his motor on high most of the afternoon. He mixed it up well and hit the boards hard. Should make an immediate impact at Episcopal HS this season alongside Ken Williams.
JUSTIN Jackson 6'6 HCYA - Many All Americans would have found 100 excuses to bypass the chance to allow his peers an opportunity to make a name for themselves at his expense. Although Justin was in cruise control, he still had enough good moments and made enough plays to validate himself as one of the Top 8 guards of the day.
WILLIAM West 6'1 Clear Lake HS - Probably the most surprising sophomore of the day. This kid was balling and attacking the rim from all angles. A huge reason why Team 3 advanced to the finals.
SHANE Moran 6'0 The Woodlands HS - It's always refreshing to see suburban white kids come down and flat out take care of business in these types of physcial settings. Whether he was knocking down jumpers or complimenting Jalin Hart, this young man always appeared to be at the right place at the right time.
THOMAS Josey 6'1 Angleton HS - A blue collar styled hooper who hustled on both sides of the ball. He has a strong build which certainly was an asset on this day. Managed to get to the rim and finish a couple times.
2014 FORWARDS!
BRANDON Jones 6'4 Westbury Christian - Nicknamed "BJ". Was extremely aggressive all day long. Almost to the point where he nearly hurt himself more than helped. Difference is the fact that many of his shots went in and for every one he missed - he'd haul in a rebound moments later to make up for it.
JC Washington 6'6 Yates HS - No big guy in this class works the baselines better than this strong young man. Very solid when he's facing up in mid range territory. Rebounding was a piece of cake for him as well.
JUSTIN Hollins 6'9 Cy Woods HS - He's long and pretty much regulated on the glass. One sure fire way to tell if you're performing above average is justified by the amount of summer coaches who flirts with you throughout the afternoon. Trust me when I tell you they were creating "bumps" with this kid every where he went between games.
KHADEEM Lattin 6'9 (Homeschooled) - Nobody had more fun on the court than Khadeem. He used this setting to remind his peers that he can and will reverse or alter anything that comes his way on defense. Ability to catch and finish in transition (without traveling) is highly impressive.
KELLY OUBRE 6'6 Bush HS - Although his legs were a bit wobbly from participating in a camp earlier in the day, Kelly was as smooth as it gets with the left hand while attacking the rim. From time to time, he camped out near the top of the key and even made about one per game. But surely he's twice as good when finding seams and creating the high percentage look.
MELVIN Swift 6'7 Yates HS - Safe to say, Melvin had more dunks than anyone on the afternoon. But more impressive was how much his all around game is improving before our very eyes. His conditioning is pretty good, but that is expected from any of the players in Yates' system.
TJ Avery 6'4 Galveston Ball HS - In additon to sporting the long dreads (a la Terran Petteway), TJ has a game that somewhat resembles the ex G-Ball star as well. Plus, his motor is much higher as a sophomore. Could easily be a candidate for Newcomer of the Year in district 24-4A.
ZACH Haney 6'8 Atascocita HS - Turn on your "Sleeper Meters". This guy is long
2015 GUARDS!
CHARLES Simmons 6'2 Westbury Christian - nicknamed "CJ" but it also could be "Beep Beep" as in long lasting road-runner. Has that wiry frame and played with a high motor all day long. Was a very huge reason Team 3 won the championship.
JORDAN Hunter 5'7 Beaumont Ozen HS - He was without question the closest thing to having the complete package of all point / floor generals in attendance. Got plenty lift and can go up above the rim if he needs to (did you notice how tall he is?). Jordan did not talk a whole lot, but didn't have to because his game spoke volumes. Lost in the championship vs Team 3 (dbl OT).
JOSEPH Anderson 6'1 Yates HS - Nicknamed "JoJo". Played alongside Hunter on Team 8. Considering this was a structured street ball setting, JoJo displayed a high hoop IQ. He also showcased some solid pg tendencies, and that made him appealing once you factored in his size advantage over most other ball handlers out there.
NICHOLAS Garth 5'11 Cy Lakes HS - Also played on that cohesive Team 8 group. For anyone who saw this team knows it would have been a crime to have forgot about Slick Nick. He's more of a combo with a scorers mentality, and when you're playing short games, his style of play is critical.
MICHAEL Gonzalez 5'8 Humble HS - This Hispanic floor general was easily the most communicative person in the building. That gets you noticed. Then he proceeded to get others involved, and just flat out make plays on both ends of the court. Michael played with a lot of intensity that proved how much he wanted to win.
TYLER Howard 5'6 Summer Creek HS - He fits in that mold of the Ray Penn / TMG style of point guard who can get buckets in bunches. Guided Team 3 to the championship. One thing that always wins my favor is point guards who know how to get "Ws".
2015 FORWARDS!
DORIAN Chatman 6'6 Port Arthur Memorial HS - Hands down the most effective defensive performer in this class. He blocked shots, rebounded, and just flat out went after it. With so much energy directed on the defensive end of the court, heck by the time he reached half court it was time to turn back around and repeat the process.
ETORRIAN Wilridge 6'4 Beaumont Central HS - His Team 8 was so talented with guard play, that he appeared to be cruising right along. This kid is talented and played with a swagger. I'd be surprised if he's not making an impact on varsity this season.
LAURYNCE Andrus 6'2 Sharpstown HS - A solid banger who rebounded and proved to be one of the best athletes in the building. Has that Ron Artest type swagger to his game - and that ain't a bad thing because Ron-Ron has a pretty good resume, including a ring.
PAUL Thomas 6'7 Summer Creek HS - This young man was impressive from beginning to end when he helped guide Team 3 to the championship. Even took his game out to the perimeter and created a few scoring opportunities off the dribble.
SAMIR Sehic 6'8 Cy Woods HS - Nicknamed "Big Bos". The uptempo open gym setting often was a bit out of his comfort zone, but whenever he got hands on the rock there was no debating his skill set - which is a premium package compared to his peers. The key word was premium, as in super unleaded.
TRE Johnson 6'5 Spring HS - If there was one front court guy who had his mind made up that he was giving 100% and wanted to be noticed, then Tre is dat dude. No big man played harder, and it proved to be worth something because the reward of winning is exposure. Helped guide Team 8 to the finals.
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