Standouts From Crossroads of The South
The Crossroads of the South held in Jackson, MS, did not disappoint with talent. It was a highly competitive camp that saw a lot of good talented players come and put their game on display, and many of these players took advantage of the opportunity in which Crossroads provided. Here is the first wave of players that caught my eye throughout the camp.
Henry Dismuke III “Tre” / 6’3 / Point Guard / AAU: Bama Celtics 2022 / Columbus High School (Columbus MS)
Instagram: tr3dismuke_
Twitter: tre_dismuke
At first, Tre started out in 5v5 controlling the flow of the game, looking to get others involved, basically being a facilitator, showing that he can handle the rock, making good passes off the bounce, and showing his PG IQ. Then he showed what else he brought to camp as he ramped up looking for his offense and showed that he has a scoring package. Tre lived in the paint and was constantly putting pressure on whoever was defending him. He played with a nice pace while at the same time changing speeds keeping defenders off-balance. He has a nice 15-footer, which appeared to be his go-to on offense.
He played well in P&R action and showed good decision-making coming off the ball screen.
Currently, Tre has no offers, but I do see him finding a spot on someone’s roster at the next level. Opportunity for Growth: I did not see Tre take many shots from behind the arc, so I am not saying that Tre cannot make the ’Tre’ ball (no pun intended), but I challenge him to continue working on his shot from behind the arc. I mentioned earlier that Tre has a nice 15-footer, but he has to be more consistent in making that shot. With his quickness off the bounce and his ability to get anywhere he desires on the court, the 15-footer will be a highly effective shot for him his senior year and at the next level.
Jacob Parrish Gazzo / 6’9 / Power Forward / AAU: Mba Osag 2023 / Parklane Academy (McComb MS)
Instagram: JacobGazzo
Twitter: JacobGazzo
When I walked into the gym, it did not take long to hear this name circulating amongst parents and camp staff. So I couldn’t wait to see what Gazzo could do on the court, Well let me just say, I was highly impressed with what I saw from this 2023 PF. Let me go ahead and let college coaches know that he is a player that is worth taking a look at. As Gazzo gets out and competes on bigger platforms against top players in the country, I am confident that his stock will rise even more. He is a big-time baller and made a strong case that he was the best player at the camp. He is lethal in catch and shoot situations, scores at every level, knows how to play on the perimeter, and can play with his back to the basket on the low block. Basically, he has an intriguing combination of size and shot-making ability from both inside and outside the arc. He has good footwork when maneuvering in the paint.
The tools in his toolbox seemed to have been unlimited as he showed so many ways to score the rock.
He produced at a high level every time he stepped onto the court. He was active on the glass, and his length caused problems when he was on D, as he was constantly contesting shots. Opportunities for Growth: With two more high school seasons ahead of him, Gazzo has to get better in two areas. He has to continue to tighten up his handles and has to get better with his foot speed.
Trace Michael Joseph / 6’8 / Power Forward/Center / AAU: New Orleans Elite 2022 / Pascagoula High School (Pascagoula MS)
Instagram: trace_joe
Twitter: TraceJoseph228
Trace is listed as a 6’8 PF/C. He is a very athletic player that showed that he could do quite a lot of things on the court. On the offensive end, he showed that he could stretch the floor by knocking down the 3. His length was a factor on the offensive board as he was able to produce points by hitting the offensive glass. He was efficient with his opportunities on the offensive end. On D, his length and his quickness off the floor allowed him to be a rim protector throughout camp. He altered shots as guards penetrated, looking to score.
Trace also showed his ability to start the break off the defensive board, which he often did throughout camp, and when doing so, he made good decisions with the ball in his hands at times.
He said he holds several offers. Opportunities for Growth: There are programs that Trace can go to and still stay the course of his current listed position, but I would like to see Trace continue to expand his game beyond the paint and just the spot up trey. As he continues to improve his handles, he will grow into a greater threat on the offensive end.
Avaughn Johnson Avaughn Johnson 6'4" | NA lbs | SF Murrah | 2022 #NA Nation AL / 6’5 / Wing / AAU: Mebo Team Hood 2022 / Murrah High School (Jackson MS)
Instagram: avaughnj_
Twitter: avaughnj
Avaughn was one of the fiercest players that I saw at the camp. He is a lefty that can light it up from anywhere on the court, as he is loaded with versatile tools. I sat in anticipation when he was on the court as he was so explosive off the bounce and when attacking the rim, and he wasn’t taking it easy on no one that got in front of him on the defensive end. It was like he had the mindset of guard me at your own risk. He was one of the most lethal players in P&R action as defenders had to pick their poison when deciding to go under the screen or over the screen. Avaughn had multiple tools that he displayed, depending on how the defender chose to play the ball-screen. What separated Avaughn from everyone at this camp was his mindset that no one there could guard him, and he worked to prove that.
He is an athletic wing that is an elite scorer whose game will carry over to the next level, and he will be a player that can get buckets wherever he finally lands.
He is currently holding offers from: Jackson State, Alabama State, MS Valley State, Pearl River CC, and Northeast CC. Opportunities for Growth: With his aggressive mindset regarding scoring, I want to see how Avaughn uses that to create for others and make others around him better. I want to see him continue to put in work in the weight room. I want to add a different look in this section for Avaughn, who is naturally a leader and an Alpha male. As he gets set to take the court for his senior year, I challenge him to build his leadership capacity. This has more to do with his leadership skills on and off the court. Find some good leadership books (Google: John Maxwell, Kevin Eastman) and learn as much as you can from these types of leaders and learn how to apply the leadership principles to not only your game but day-to-day life as well.
Senavion Roby / 6’4 / Wing / AAU: Starkville Swish 2022 / Starkville High School (Starkville MS)
Instagram: Senavionn
Twitter: SenavionR
Senavion showed that he knows how to find ways to score. A lot of those ways came off the bounce, slashing through defenses throughout camp. He finishes well at the rim and had several electric moments throughout the day. He played with a competitive edge and brought a lot of energy and effort while on the court. Scoring is definitely the strength of his game, and he did not shy away from pushing the envelope and making plays. He played with a lot of confidence and had a pretty good showing at the camp. He seemed the most comfortable when he was able to get out in transition, either pushing the rock himself or running the floor hard. He is very instinctive on the defensive end as he played passing lanes and showed his awareness in playing the gaps and playing in help-side defense. Often times when speaking of a player having good vision, we often talk about the offensive end of the court; however, Senavion showed good vision on both ends of the court.
He could see plays developing and was able to anticipate the pass and got several steals, and in doing so, turning his defense into offense.
On the offensive end, his ability to see the court and see things develop helped him create scoring opportunities for himself and others. Currently, he has no offers, but in the right situation, he could find himself in a program at the next level. His path to the next level is something that his inner circle will need to navigate carefully over the next few months, keeping him in front of coaches via showcases and putting film out to be seen. Opportunities for Growth: Senavion needs to continue putting in work in the weight room as he pursues a shot at the next level. I did not see him take that many shots from behind the arc but showing that he can knock down the 3 at a good percentage will help his cause.
Stay connected because more standouts from this fantastic camp are coming your way.