Summer Takeover Saturday Notebook
OLNEY, MD — Summer Takeover once again played host to some of the best talent from the DMV and beyond. Here is a rundown of what we learned during a full day of action.
BALANC’S RECRUITMENT HEATING UP
It started with Rhode Island Head Coach Danny Hurley, who showed up early for the 8AM tip to see Balanc and Mid Atlantic Select take on D.C. Warriors, and continued throughout the day. UMass Associate Head Coach Cliff Warren was among those who made the trip to Good Counsel to evaluate Balanc. One thing we do know is that the coaches weren’t disappointed. How could they be? Balanc played with 110% effort at all times while on the floor.
PAT WILLIAMS, AUDIESE TONEY DOMINANT FOR TEAM CP3
Audiese Toney and Pat Williams combined to score 34 of Team United’s 47 points in their two point win over Team Melo 16U. We got a glimpse of what these two could do during the week at the Oladipo Skills Academy, and their talents were on display yet again on Saturday. Toney, a 6’6 lefty, can play on or off the ball. He plays with a consistently high motor. Williams, a 6’9 forward, is being recruited by several high major programs including Florida, who was in to see him.
RJ BLAKNEY STILL FEELING CONFIDENT
RJ Blakney almost single handedly helped Team Melo pull off a comeback win vs. Team United. As he continues to develop confidence and experience, the next step for Blakney will be to develop a mid range game. He can consistently hit threes from the catch, and is one of the best finishers we’ve evaluated. West Virginia is on him hard, but don’t be surprised to see other high major programs get seriously involved soon.
DARIUS HINES NO LONGER A SLEEPER
In what turned out to be one of the most exciting games we saw all day, Darius Hines was the most valuable player on the floor. Team Takeover Orange pulled off an upset by defeating Team Melo EYBL 58-56. Hines controlled the pace of the game, and took over down the stretch. Loyola is the newest school to express interest, but don’t be surprised to see some other programs get involved soon.
TIMBERLAKE, TAKEOVER 16U STEAMROLL INTO BRACKET PLAY
The gym erupted when Earl Timberlake threw it down in traffic, and Takeover had fully assumed control of their hotly contested matchup vs. Mid Atlantic Select. Ball pressure was key for TTO in the win, and their guards did an excellent job of consistently applying it. Although this result was not really a surprise, Team Takeover has rebounded well since suffering their first loss of the AAU Season at Peach Jam.
JARED WHITE DEVELOPING NICELY
Jared White had one of the most impressive plays we saw on Saturday, and it was a result of sheer hustle. He’s grown at least two inches since his freshman year, and now stands close to 6’7. White demonstrated patience, and a good feel for the game. We expect him to continue his progression, and become a very productive player for St. Stephens & St. Agnes during his junior season.
TYLER HOLLEY EMERGES
To put it simply, Tyler Holley had the best play of the day, and one of the best plays we’ve seen all summer when he stripped the ball loose and jammed it on a defender in transition. The versatile wing is beginning to see an uptick in his recruitment as well. Lehigh, Mount St. Mary’s, and Lafayette were in to check in on Holley, who is also hearing from the likes of Bucknell and Penn.
DANA TATE LEADS EXPRESSIONS ELITE
Each time he hits the court, Dana Tate finds a way to impact the game. Whether its boxing out, scoring, or just being vocal. He’s listed at 6’6, but Tate plays so much bigger and stronger than most players at that height. He can spot up and hit the three, but is also an unselfish player who likes to get his teammates going. Tate currently holds 10 mid major level offers, but is also receiving interest from the likes of USC, Washington, Providence, and Rutgers.
INTRODUCING TERRENCE CLARKE
He still hasn’t stepped on a high school floor yet, but Terrence Clarke already had coaches raving about his potential. UVA was one school that plans to begin recruiting Clarke, who has no offers yet, but is hearing from a host of high major schools already.
QUICK HITS
Brayden Gault pumped in all 19 of his points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to help lift Team Takeover Grey over Expressions. What really impressed us about this performance is that it didn’t matter what the score was. Gault didn’t stop playing. He finished plays, and made sure to keep fighting hard for his teammates.
Max Zegarowski has been the most deadly shooter at this event, and one of the best shooters we’ve seen all summer. The 6’6 sharpshooter hit 6 of 10 in a win over Team Takeover Grey, and has hit at least one three in each game he’s played in this tournament. To go along with his ability to stretch the floor, Zegarowski has also done his due diligence defensively, and shown toughness when asked to defend.
Philmon Gebrewhit is one of the more intriguing prospects we’ve evaluated. His intangibles are through the roof, and at 6’7 he can play on or off the ball. Gebrewhit can pass, and is the most vocal person on the floor at all times. Dayton, who was represented by Associate Head Coach Anthony Solmon, was at all his games on Saturday. Gebrewhit, who holds about 10 mid major offers, is also receiving interest from the likes of Ole Miss, UCF, Virginia, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech.
Marcus Zegarowski did a bit of everything for Expressions on Saturday. He found his brother, Max, for most of his made threes. Zegarowski locked up per usual, and got hot from three point range as the day winded down. Zegarowski has offers from Creighton, Washington, Pitt, Minnesota, Arizona State, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and Penn state. Virginia, who was in to see him yesterday, is among those expressing interest; along with USC and Villanova.
Yavuz Gultekin was thoroughly impressive in Mid Atlantic Select’s win over DC Warriors this morning. The lefty has good size, a high motor, and a nice touch from the perimeter. Gultekin, who is pictured above, is a sneaky athlete as well. Old Dominion offered him yesterday, but others should get involved soon.