Top Performers: Scope Holiday Tournament Day 1
It’s Christmas tournament time, and while we hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season we couldn’t be happier to spend all week in the gym. I got started by attending the annual Norfolk Scope Holiday Tournament, featuring eight top programs…
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Continue ReadingIt’s Christmas tournament time, and while we hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season we couldn’t be happier to spend all week in the gym. I got started by attending the annual Norfolk Scope Holiday Tournament, featuring eight top programs in the Hampton Roads area. There were a lot of talented players that would take forever to mention, but we’ll just list 10 of the best players from day one of the event.
Jermiah “Flip” Jenkins | 2017 PG | Granby
The senior leaders at the point guard position came to play for the Comets, as he finished with a game high 18 points and pitched in three rebounds and two assists as well. The 5’9” Jenkins, known by teammates and coaches as “Flip,” is a scrappy guard who set the tone on both ends of the floor. He created well for himself off the bounce, scored it from all three levels and was a vocal leader on both ends of the floor.
Giovanni Jones | 2017 F | Granby
If Jenkins is the vocal leader, then Jones is the leader by example. His high motor allows the 6’3” forward to play and produce against players much bigger than him, and his double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds has become something that the Comets can rely on. He showed versatility on both ends of the floor, and his grit and energy on both ends of the floor was key to them getting and maintaining the big lead in their win over Kellam.
Dereon Seabron | 2018 WG/WF | Lake Taylor
Seabron, who was one of the biggest stock boosters in his class this summer, continues to improve in the areas he needs to, mostly his motor and rebounding. He finished with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, which were split almost evenly between the defensive and offensive ends. He used his height to guard post players defensively as well, and if he can continue to play like the 6’5” wing he is he’ll continue to see his recruitment pick up.
Jalen Jordan | 2018 WG/WF | Lake Taylor
The other wing in their 2018 trio, Jordan was more than stellar for the Titans, as he finished with 18 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 9-for-15 from the field. Of his eight rebounds, six of them came on the offensive glass, and he was the most efficient player on the floor in the second half where he was 5-for-6 from the field. While he doesn’t have the same recruitment buzz the other two have, Jordan’s upside as a 6’4” wing that can shoot it from deep bolds well moving forward.
Joe Bryant Jr. | 2018 PG | Lake Taylor
Bryant did a little bit of everything for the Titans, and he used his stocky frame to bully the smaller Cox guards in the paint where he had his way all game. He settled for threes on his first two shots, which he missed, but once he started attacking downhill there was no one that could stop him. He finished with 16 points, 10 of which came in the first half, on 5-for-8 shooting from the field, and he was also 5-for-8 from the free throw line. He also pitched in with seven rebounds and five assists, and if the Titans can get that kind of balance between the three juniors they have they’ll be tough to beat come March.
- Kelvin Nicholson | 2017 C | Cox
Nicholson continues to improve every time he steps on the floor it seems. Monday he was very active in a number of areas, and was also very vocal as he led his young team. He ran the floor well, finished above the rim when he could, and also showed that he’s a very good passer with five assists. He finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, and also had four or five blocks on the defensive end.
Adrian Beasley | 2017 PF | Tallwood
The undersized four man doesn’t play like he’s undersized, especially in their win over Booker T. Washington where he finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. The 6’4” forward showed great versatility offensively, where he crashed the boards and finished around the basket but also showed that he can step outside and knock down the midrange as well. His mix of touch, strength and high motor will make him a matchup problem for teams all season.
Lamont Edmonds | 2018 WG | Booker T. Washington
This was my second year seeing Edmonds in this tournament, and he performed even better this year than he did last year. A 6’4” wing, Edmonds has all of the skill sets you’d expect from a smaller guard but also has the size and strength to finish in traffic in the lane. He finished with an impressive 22 points and nine rebounds, and he showed that he can create his own shot at will and score it from wherever he wants.
Cameron Thomas | 2020 WG | Oscar Smith
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding Thomas, who came into his freshman season with offers from ODU and Hampton before playing his first game. He’s lived up to the hype so far, and even though Green Run face guarded him for most of the game he still was able to find ways to get open shots. He finished with 19 points, but what was most impressive was how he was not only willing to take big shots down the stretch, he wanted to. Expect big things from Thomas if he continues to grow and improve both on and off the court.
Shawn Saunders | 2018 PF | Green Run
The Stallions lost a close one to Oscar Smith in the nightcap, but you can’t fault Saunders who left it all on the floor. The 6’4” power forward matched up with a huge and athletic front line of Smith and didn’t back down one bit. He attacked the glass hard on both ends, and despite Smith blocking a large number of shots he kept coming back harder and harder. He finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, and if he continues to play with that motor those numbers will be something Green Run can rely on from him.