May Day Hoopfest Standouts (Part 2)
The 2017 May Day Hoopfest, hosted by Skills Center Elite took place this past weekend at various high schools in the Tampa Bay area.
Teams from the youth to high school ages participated in the bracketed tournament. I bounced around a lot of courts and watched some really close games.
The game of the weekend went down between host Skills Center Elite and eventual 17U gold champion Q6 All Stars Elite. The two sides went toe to toe until the end as Q6 pulled out the 62-57 victory.
Here are the top standouts from the May Day Hoopfest (Part 2) written by Jake Perper and Jerome Reed.
Carlos Williams (C-Side Cats)
Williams continues to attack the rim and that is where he looks the best. A smart and savvy point guard, the 2018 Countryside prospect plays an unselfish style of basketball. He set up his teammates plenty and went to the basket with his athleticism against Q6 on Saturday. Williams is in for a huge summer and big senior year. He’s one of my favorite guards in the area at 6’2″. – Jake Perper
Christian Stone (Florida Storm Elite)
Another rising freshman I could see making statement during high school tryouts in the Fall, Stone showed no fear in getting to the lane. He stayed patient in his decision-making, while being aggressive when it came time for him to score. It resulted in him leading both teams in points in the one game I saw him play. With more physical development, Stone can grow into a solid wing player at the high school level. — Jerome Reed
Jaxson Strates (Q6 All Stars Elite)
Strates has upside as an outside shooter. The 2018 Lake Highland Prep guard is pure length at 6’8″ and he showed time and time again this weekend that he isn’t afraid to shoot away. He needs to get stronger to be a consistent inside presence, but that will come in time. Strats is an asset in a big way and he played that way for Q6 in this tourney. – JP
Tyler Burkes (Skills Center Elite)
This freshman has a game that reminds me of a Draymond Green—one that can put his hand in different pots. In his game against the Tampa Bayhawks, Burkes proved he can pressure the ball and force turnovers, defend the glass and push the ball in transition. He has a frame that has potential to thwart ball-handlers from attempting to dribble past him. Excited to see his development, going forth. — JR
Christian Schach (Skills Center Elite)
Outside shooting is Schach’s recipe for success. The 2018 guard is a spot up shooter simple and plain. His drive to the basket has improved since he arrived at Tampa Prep last season and so has his aggressiveness. At 6’1″, Schach can handle a starting role. He plays a big part in Skill Center’s success. He opened Saturday’s game with three first half 3’s. He continues to get better. – JP
Terrell Ballard (Warehouse Ballers)
Thinking back to his game against “Hoops On Mission”, it seemed like most of his 17 points came via strong finishes in transition. Ballard never went to the rack with a weak takeoff or finish. Everything was effort-filled. Had some shining moments on the offensive glass and in assisting. Look for the 6’3” Ballard to be a top player for Northeast, next season. — JR
Cornelius Bobo (Red Storm Elite)
The 2019 forward stood out as a shutdown defender. He had some big blocks against both the Warehouse Ballers on Friday night and once again on Saturday. Bobo is coming along as an offensive threat. Once he finds consistency there, he’ll be a reliable chess piece for new look Seffner Christian. At 6’3″, Bobo will be counted upon to make plays this upcoming season. I think he will come into his own a bit. – JP
Bryce Kohrback (Hoops On Mission)
This junior seemed as if he could do no wrong on offense vs. Warehouse Ballers. Whether it be putbacks off offensive rebounds, being patient and waiting for the man to cut, taking someone to the hole off-the-dribble or spotting up for three, Kohrback showed he deserves to be a feature piece on his high school squad, next year. Would like to see a little more tenacity on defense, but his offensive game is marching towards becoming polished. — JR
Kaleb Karnes (Warehouse Ballers)
If you don’t appreciate Karnes’ game, then you don’t appreciate basketball. I’ve watched him play a lot. He’s a pure point guard who loves to get everyone involved before himself. However, when he is aggressive and starts taking the ball to the rack and knocking down 3’s, that’s when he is at his best. Karnes much like his younger brother, Kegan, a 2020 guard, can shoot the ball at a high clip. Look for Kaleb to have a big senior campaign for Berkeley Prep. – JP
Stephen Hawkins (Hoops On Mission)
Being a lefty, myself, I had to throw him in here. Although, it helped that Hawkins led both teams in scoring with 19 points against Warehouse. He hit a couple of NBA-range threes, was fearless in transition with the ball in his hand, and great elevation on the mid-range, stop-and-pop jumper. As much as I like him being a lefty, he has to develop that right hand more in order to reach his potential. This summer can be a great time for that. — JR
In case you missed it: Part 1