Nike IS8 Basketball Spring Tournament

<p>Everybody has heard of Rucker park. But if you want an equally fun day of competitive basketball make the journey to Jamaica Queens for the legendary Nike IS8 tournament. Years ago I took my then 10 year old son. Now a young man he still talks about it. Where else do you get to see so many high major D1 players and future NBA players while they were still in high school. That day we counted 18 players who went on to high majors or the league. Here is a look at Team Long Island that is competing at this excellently run, fierce competition held tournament. Anytime Long Island goes into the city they have to prove themselves. They are delivering this year once again.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1204204" first="Nick" last="Watts"] </strong>showed he can bang against big athletic bodies. Did a tremendous job on the boards and with interior defense. Nick also displayed his range. He showed the city the footwork in the post we’ve been reporting on for two years. Head and shoulder fakes and up and under along with an assortment of jump hooks gave post defenders fits.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1204198" first="Zatai" last="Townsend"] </strong>who I feel is the best defender on Long Island showed the rest of the metropolitan area how quick and strong his feet and hands are. He defended some excellent wing players making it difficult for them to get open or into the paint. He is a player that doesn’t lose his offensive aggression by concentrating on the defensive end. He is a flat out scorer. He is able to get by defenders and finish above the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045689" first="Matt" last="Garside"] </strong>fresh off of winning a three point contest on Long Island brought his shooting prowess to the city. Leading a lot of observers to mention he might be the best shooter at this event. Matt scored 34 in a game doing it from deep range.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1183704" first="Mike" last="Gitz"]</strong> was non stop movement. An old school Bill Bradley type moving without the ball.  Defenders at times just got physically tired chasing him. Mike can get to the rim off a precise cut or shoot it off the catch. He is a player who does everything well. A stat stuffer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1204746" first="Kamren" last="Denhart"] </strong>manned the point in most games. At IS8 you better be tough with the ball. It is an event that you expect to be pounded going to the rim or muscled off the ball. Kamren showed toughness and great court vision and awareness.He was able to beat guys to his spots and use his deadly pull up jumper.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045933" first="Macai" last="John"] </strong>did a little bit of everything. The athletic wing was able to score inside. He also defended well. Getting a couple of blocks. Macai is an active scorer inside. To combat the size inside he used his athleticism.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1046087" first="DeAndre" last="Blagrove"] </strong>alot of times gave up size but he made up for it with toughness and grit. Deandre is a player who you can count on nightly for 6 -10 points and 8-12 rebounds. Deandre doesn’t need the ball to make a difference but when he gets it, good things happen for him and his team.</p> <p><strong>Rashad Kee </strong>was a surprise performer for his high school team and made the Long Island team with the same intensity that he displayed all year. Rashad is also another player who was undersized at times but made up for it with positioning his body inside. He can score inside and has a good body to rebound the ball and defend the post.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>