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Area Codes Basketball All-Academic Showcase Day 1 & 2 Recap

By: Jeff Meadows

Day 1 Recap

THE GUEST SPEAKERS

The guest speakers that spoke at the 1^st Annual Area Codes Basketball All-Academic Showcase were of quality, each speaker touched on different subjects from getting registered with the NCAA clearinghouse, being a positive contributor in the community, working hard on & off of the court to the realities of life. Channel 3 TV personality Britney Shipp spoke to the participants about making positive contributions to their respective communities, “As adults I’ve always felt that it is our responsibility to inform & encourage our youth to be positive contributing members in society” says Britney Shipp. “All high school athletes that are attempting to get a college scholarship need to be aware that if they are not registered through the NCAA clearinghouse, they will not be D1 eligible” says event Director Chad Groth. City of Phoenix Congressman/Judge Cody Williams gave the participants a very good education on how the justice system works & being accountable, “We have an obligation to teaching our youth & educating them on life’s decisions & consequences” says Cody Williams. Current Sr’s 6’8 (PF) Alan Williams (UCSB signee) of North & 6’0 (PG) Tyler Russell (Houston Baptised signee) of Millenium enlightened the participants about the importance of playing in the RIGHT EXPOSIER EVENTS. “A lot of times you can get tricked into playing in the wrong events” said Tyler Russell “Fortunately, I was able to figure out which ones were the right ones”. As great as the speakers were, the play picked up right where the speakers left off so let’s get to the action.

PRIME TIME GAMES OF THE EVENING

5PM St. John’s vs San Diego St.

The first Prime Time Game of the Evening featured 2 teams that were TALENT LOADED & ready to play.San Diego St. led by their multi skilled (CG) 6’5 Robert Selmon, jumped out of the gates fast as 6’7 (W) Christian Thompson put in a major contribution but in the end it was too much 5’11 (PG) Hasan Tucker, 6’2 (CG) Bryan Rhymes & 6’6 (W/F) Billy Morrison as St. John’s went on to get the victory118-82. Robert Selmon’s 32 pts & Christian Thompson’s 24 pts led the way for San Diego St. While Hasan Tucker’s 19 pts & Billy Morrison’s 26 pts led the way for St. John’s.

6PM Harvard vs Oregon

Unlike the first game, this game was a close one. While Harvard, led by 6’3 (CG) Elijah Hempsted went into the half with a 37-21 lead. The second half belonged to Oregon as 5’11 (PG) Nate Nearhood began to gut the defense with their penetration & kick out to 6’5 pure shooting (W) AJ Hess, top prospect (CG) 6’3 Mitchell Burnett & 6’3 (CG) Ross Heyl helped close the gap. 6’6 (F) Eric Conklin was very impressive with his major inside contributions for his Oregon team but Harvard had other plans in mind as they held on to steal a close one 70-65. Mitchell Burnett’s 24 pts & AJ Hess 17 pts led the way for Oregon while 6’3 (CG) Elijah Hempsted’s 20 pts.

SURPRISE PLAYERS

Let’s take a look at some SURPRISE PLAYERS OF DAY 1.

Neiman Lee 6’4 (W) Centennial (NV) (2012)

James Walters 6’0 (PG) Prescott (2011)

Darvis Fletcher 6’0 (PG) South Pointe (2014)

Austin Sibbio 5'11 (PG) Arcadia (2013)

Matt Ponce 6’0 (PG) Ayala (CA) (2012)

Jalan Rodgers 6’1 (PG) Logan (CA) (2012)

Dre Quel Anderson 6’1 (PG) Canyon Del Oro (2011)

Elijah Myers 6’2 (CG) Santa Rita (2012)

Trent Wilson 6’2 (CG) Arcadia (2012)

Ross Heyl 6’2 (CG) Saguaro (2011)

Brandon Purdie 6’2 (CG) Palo verde (2012)

Jarod Ponce 6’4 (W/G) Ayala (CA) (2012)

Justyce Key 6’2 (CG) Berkley (CA) (2013)

Damen Romero 6’2 (CG) Pueblo (2012)

Alex Arias 6'4 (W/F) Bonanza (Las Vegas) (2014)

Johnnie Panfill 6’2 (CG) Boulder Creek (2013)

Markus Booker 6’3 (CG) Liberty (2011)

Thomas Licurgo 6’4 (W) Sandra Day (2012)

Kaeleb Franken 6’4 (W/F) Poston Buttes (2014)

Quinton Learn 6’4 (W) Liberty (2014)

Xavier Stephens 6’4 (W) Glendale (2012)

Isaac Vogan 6’6 (F) Agua Fria (2012)

Elston Jones 6’6 (F) Millenium (2014)

TOP PROSPECTS OF DAY 1

Below is a small list of the TOP PERFORMERS OF DAY 1, enjoy.

Hasan Tucker 5'11 (PG) Rincon (2012)

Shakir Smith 6’1 (PG) Tucson (2011)

Mitchell Burnett 6’3 (CG) Central (2011)

Jaron Hopkins 6’4 (PG) Basha (2013)

Terrol Wilson 6'4 (CG) Arcadia (2012)

AJ Hess 6’5 (W) Phoenix Country Day (2012)

Robert Selmon 6’5 (CG) Central (2011)

Christian Thompson 6’7 (W) Arcadia (2012)

DAY 2 RECAP

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Player Spotlight is a segment that I’m dedicating to 15 prospects that put in work, work that needs to be noticed. Let’s take a look at these talented prospects under the HOOPS REPORT PLAYER SPOTLIGHT. (In height order)

Nate Nearhood 5’11 (PG) Phoenix Country Day (2012)

Nate is a heady (PG) who has improved quite a bit in a short period of time. Nate has improved greatly as an outside shooter & now is starting to show his total package on the offensive end. Nate’s play was very solid & consistent all weekend long by hitting the mid range as well as the long range ball. With Nate having such a good HS season, if he continues to play at the level he’s playing, Nate is all but guaranteed to move up dramatically in our Arizona Top 100 regardless of class rankings at the end of March.

Hasan Tucker 5’11 (PG) Rincon (2012)

Hasan was a pleasant surprise this weekend. Hasan is a high level (PG) who has all of the skills & abilities of being a high level (PG) at the next level. Hasan’s speed, quickness, ball handling abilities & athleticism is above average not to mention that Hasan can consistently hit the mid range or long shot. As good as Hasan’s offense is his defense is even better, locking down the opposition with tough in your face style of defense it’s usually hard for the opposing offensive player to get in a comfort zone. Like I said in the beginning Hasan is a high level (PG) & I’m very curious to see where Hasan ends up in the Hoops Report’s Arizona Top 100 regardless of the class rankings.

Austin Sibbio 5’11 (PG) Arcadia (2013)

Austin is a new comer to the upper eschualan of (PG’s) in the class of 2013. Austin is a steady-eddy (PG) meaning: Austin will not hurt you when he’s running your team, he will only help you. Austin is one of the (PG’s) who never tries to do the things he’s not capable of but only doing what he does the best which is take what the defense gives him, pick & chose his spots correctly to be effective & torch the defense when the defense relaxes. As Austin continues to improve, I look for him to continue to rise up the rankings.

Cory Cox 6’0 (PG) Rodriguez (CA) (2013)

This young man was very impressive all weekend. At 6’0 Cory is long, wiry & athletic; Cory also possesses a very good handle & great body control. Cory’s mid range & to the basket game is on point but his deep ball could use some work. Cory is a solid prospect in the class of 2013 who could easily be a top prospect with some work. I’m going to keep my eye on this young prospect; I’m interested to see what level he ends up being.

Romano Bottini 6’1 (PG) Brophy (2014)

A very solid (PG) who has very good body mass/size, Romano is a relentless worker on both ends of the floor. Through Romano’s work ethic alone, I look for him to continue to improve & continue to climb up the rankings as well.

Bryan Rhymes 6’2 (CG) St. Mary’s (2011)

Bryan is a solid (CG) who's athletic & can stroke it from the outside.

Elijah Hempsted 6’3 (CG) Corona Del Sol (2012)

Elijah played with a lot more hunger than he’s shown in the past. Elijah is a player in the 2012 class that is to be taken serious. Elijah has a great body & superior athleticism which he displays quite often on the offensive end. Throughout the weekend Elijah’s mid range game was dominating, scoring time after time with mid range shots. If Elijah can improve his ball handling, play more on the outside as well as stretch the defense with his outside shot, Elijah will definitely be a DI prospect.

Jonathan Scott 6’4 (W/F) THUNDERBIRD ACADEMY (2012)

Jonathan is a scorer, end of discussion. Jonathan’s size gives him an immediate advantage over most of his opponents that play his position & with Jonathan being able to put the ball on the floor fairly descent makes it hard on defenders to decide whether or not to play him close or give him space & if you give him space most of the time Jonathan will make you pay by stroking it from deep. I expect for Jonathan to have a good spring & summer.

Alex Arias 6’4 (W/F) Bonanza (Las Vegas) (2014)

To watch Alex play once this weekend was to watch Alex play every game for the simple fact that Alex performed the same way every time, on a high level. Alex is a very active (W/F) who has a knack for being around the ball at the right times. Alex is fairly athletic & possesses a good motor. Alex is a high level prospect in the class of 2014 without a doubt & if the young prospect continues to improve you will continue to hear his name more & more on the national level.

Terrol Wilson 6’4 (W/G) Arcadia (2012)

Terrol is an athletic (W/F) who continues to improve every time I see him play. Terrol has great size & a descent mid range game to go along above average court awareness.

Anthony Bursey 6’5 (W/F) Cactus (2012)

Anthony is a hard working, aggressive, athletic (F) who doesn’t stop until the whistle’s blown. Anthony is an offensive & defensive rebounding machine that makes up for what he may lack skill wise through relentless hard work. Defensively, Anthony is a coach’s dream & if Anthony can develop a nice mid range jumper, Anthony will become even more of a threat. I like Anthony & I look forward to seeing him play more.

CREAM OF THE CROP

CJ Moore 5’11 (PG) AZ CHARTER (2014)

Very solid (PG), who played at a high level all weekend long. CJ is a very good floor general on offense & a catalyst on defense.

Jonathan Milligan 6’1 (PG) Case Grande (2012)

Jonathan continues to solidify himself as a TOP PROSPECT each time he plays in an event. Jonathan has the total package offensively & defensively Jonathan is just as solid. Jonathan displayed his deep range, mid range, in the lane runners as well as getting to the basket & finishing or dishing to the open man.

Shakir Smith 6’1 (PG) Tucson (2011)

Smith is a very talented, very skilled (PG) who has the total package offensive & defensively.

Demitrius Balark 6’2 (PG) Kellis (2012)

A lefty (PG) who's explosive, quick & fast.

Mitchell Burnett 6’3 (CG) Central (2011)

Mitchell was the surprise player of the showcase. Mitchell is very athletic, strong, quick & fast, tends to plays a lot bigger than he is.

Joran Hopkins 6’4 (PG) Basha (2013)

Very skilled (PG) that has all of the tools to be a high level (PG), great floor general, athletic, quick, fast, long, wiry & a very good defensive player.

Robert Selmon 6’5 (CG) Central (2011)

Robert is a complete (CG) physically & skill wise. Robert may have been the best player in the showcase.

AJ Hess 6’5 (W) Phoenix Country Day (2012)

An exceptional outside shooter, Hess has a good body & size. Hess stroked mid & long range shots all weekend.

Chris Mason 6’5 (CG) St. Mary’s (2011)

Chris played at a high level all weekend & showed that he's a DI prospect by displaying his entire offensive arsenal on offense & defense.

Eric Conklin 6’6 (F) Chaparral (2013)

Eric is a big, physical (F) who had success all weekend around the basket & stepping outside hitting the mid range shot.

Christian Thompson 6’7 (W) ARCADIA (2012)

Chris played awesome all weekend long whether hitting the long ball or going inside & being a force inside Christian was doing it.

POSTED: 3-9-2011

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