Standout Upperclassmen from the Northwestern State Elite Camp
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Teams from all corners of Louisiana visited picturesque Natchitoches, Louisiana to attend one of the largest team camps in the state. First year coach Corey Gipson and his Northwestern State Demons men’s basketball team hosted their annual team camp and…
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Continue ReadingTeams from all corners of Louisiana visited picturesque Natchitoches, Louisiana to attend one of the largest team camps in the state. First year coach Corey Gipson and his Northwestern State Demons men’s basketball team hosted their annual team camp and saw many promising preps perform on the hardwood courts throughout the campus. Each day was very eventful as a ton of rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors shined during each day of play. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana team camp exclusive, we will look at some of the top performers from the two days at Northwestern State.
Jeremiah Evans Jeremiah Evans 6'10" | C Southwood | 2024 State #249 Nation LA (Southwood | 2024 | 6’8″)
This was my first time seeing Evans this summer and he has definitely improved in some key areas. His shot blocking was phenomenal and erased a large number of shots in the paint. Evans has definitely improved his handle which was already very good for 6’8″. At NSU, he was more decisive in making moves off the dribble. His use of the dribble set up post moves and allowed him to finish at the rim several times. Evans showed consistent form on his three point shot from all areas behind the arc and made quite a few as well. There were some times where he was ball watching instead of crashing the glass. However, his elite level skill set was on full display.
Howard Gaskins Howard Gaskins 6'1" | PG Liberty Magnet | 2024 State LA (Liberty | 2024 | 6’1″)
Gaskin made his bid for best point guard in the 2024 class playing against several 4A and 5A opponents in Natchitoches. His ability to handle the rock and direct an offense was very impressive. He shot the ball well from deep making two or more in most games played. What might have set Gaskins apart from other guards was the way he defended without fouling (a ton). He was very disruptive and caused players to pick up their dribble. His prowess at scoring and defending makes him one to watch going forward from this camp.
Decedric Webb Decedric Webb 6'5" | SF Huntington | 2023 State LA (Huntington | 2023 | 6’5″)
Webb displayed who versatile his game was against opponents such as Liberty and Southwood on day one of the Demons team camp. His defense was the first thing that stood out as he guarded Edward Kornbacher Edward Kornbacher 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2023 State LA and Jeremiah Evans Jeremiah Evans 6'10" | C Southwood | 2024 State #249 Nation LA one-on-one mostly and held his own. Webb’s ability to rebound and push was impressive as he dribbled through both defenses showing speed and security with his handle. Once he got the rim, he finished with finger rolls at the rim. Webb has an abundance of talent and made the staff at Northwestern State aware of it.
Ajay Tew (Jonesboro-Hodge | 2023 | 5’11″)
When it comes to point guards having full command of an offense and being an offensive threat, Tew was definitely that guy on Friday. Tew displayed knowledge of when to push the ball, when to look for his own offense, and when to set up offense to exploit a mismatch. His basketball IQ is off the charts. He seems to make the opposition pay no matter how they decide to play him. When he chooses his own offense, the jump shot from three or mid-range seems to be his choice. No matter what it is, he is very comfortable at executing either way.
JaQuise Richmond JaQuise Richmond 6'6" | SF Barbe | 2023 State LA (Barbe | 2023 | 6’6″)
Richmond was an inside and outside presence on both ends of the floor on day one of the NSU team camp. Richmond was a defensive eraser blocking many shots at the basket against Calvary and Southwood. Those opportunities turned into transition situations where he was at his best. His ability to change ends of the floor with his elongated strides allowed him to follow a lot of misses for putbacks or finish on the break himself. Richmond even made a couple of three pointers which made him almost impossible to guard during the day.
Courtney McCarthy Courtney McCarthy 6'5" | SG Richwood | 2023 State LA (Richwood | 2023 | 6’5″)
McCarthy got off to a slow shooting start at NSU on Saturday. When he warmed up however, he showed exactly all of the things he is capable of on the floor. He can rebound like a forward and he was very good on the offensive boards giving the Rams several opportunities at the rim. His mid-range jumper began falling shortly afterwards and then the flood gates opened. He drove to hole and made a layup and he cut to the goal to receive another layup opportunity from a pass. McCarthy played like the swiss army knife he is and helped Richwood be successful on Saturday.
Kenneth Montgomery Kenneth Montgomery 6'0" | PG Zwolle | 2023 State LA (Zwolle | 2024 | 6’0″)
Montgomery just played in the Class B championship game so one would think he would be a point guard on a lot of radars. He showed why he is such a good guard during day one in Natchitoches. Montgomery displayed a quick burst from his first step coupled with a tight handle that allowed him to maneuver through traffic repeatedly. Once in the paint, he made drop off passes that gave his teammates opportunity after opportunity to finish at the rim. His driving ability is on another tier and puts defenses in a bind repeatedly on the day. He is one of the best we have at the point and showed it on Friday.
Other upperclassmen standouts:
Brady Alexander Brady Alexander 6'0" | CG Hornbeck | 2023 State LA (Hornbeck), Jabbari Barry Jabbari Barry 6'1" | PG Barbe | 2023 State LA (Barbe), Rondae Hill Rondae Hill 6'0" | PG Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA (Calvary Baptist), Edward Kornbacher Edward Kornbacher 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2023 State LA (Liberty), Javonte Thomas Javonte Thomas 6'6" | PF Pineville | 2024 State LA (Pineville)
The junior and senior class in Louisiana has a large variety of players who can do an array of things on the hardwood. Northwestern State happened to be the venue where a number of players did just that. The weekend in Natchitoches was very profitable for some.