SoCalHoops College Hoops News

Jerry Norley: Arizona Top 120 Showcase
Tournament--Player Reports--(March 27, 1999)

Readers may recall that a few weeks ago we posted an announcement for the "Arizona Top 120" showcase tournament which was held last weekend in, of all places, Arizona.  Our friend and sometime contributor Jerry Norley, wrote some notes on his impressions of players he saw and he emailed them to us today.  What follows are his reports.

And yes, we realize this isn't about SoCal players, and we also know that we're still long overdue in finishing up our own report from the Double Pump Senior High School Boys' Shootout held last weekend, but this stuff was just too good to pass up.  And besides, if you intend to visit the Double Pump West Coast All-Stars camps this summer, or will be at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas or at the Best of Summer or Slam N Jam NIT in late July, or even at High Five America's facility for the Nike Summer Championships at the end of  July this year, you'll be seeing more than a few of these guys.  Here's Jerry's report:

Jeff Meadows put on one of the most well run tournaments I've ever been to. He brought together most of the top players in Arizona, managed to put together 14 balanced teams, and had competive games every day of the tournament. Excellent job by Mr. Meadows. Now here is my review of the players I saw at the tourney.

POINT GUARDS

SENIORS

Kevin Woodberry  6ft Trevor Browne

Woodberry, the 5A player of the year and class president of Trevor Browne can drain the three, run the team, and beat his man off the dribble. As he gains strength, he will continue to improve defensively and should develop into a solid division one point guard. Being recruited by New Mexico, San Diego and other programs.

Sammy Wade 5ft10 Tucson Pueblo

Sammy is an exciting little point who loves to distribute the ball, shake and bake his way to the hoop and hit the three if you drop off of him. He also plays tough defense and always plays hard. Another solid D1 point.

Zenaz Thomas  6ft North Canyon

This kid had an excellent tournament. He is very quick, is an excellent ball handler, and loves to drive to the hole for the deuce or dish to an open teammate. His outside shot complements his outstanding quickness and makes this kid an excellent D1 prospect. He has the potential to be the best of the bunch.

Chris Craig  6ft1 Horizon 

Craig is one of the best shooters in the state who uses his shot to set up drives to the basket. He is a solid athlete who dunks it easily and plays tough defense. He is a good all around player who is starting to be recruited by a number of teams.

Mark Current 6ft2 Glendale Independence 

Current is a tough point who drills the three, runs the team efficiently, and is quick and strong enough to take it strong to the basket. A tough all around point.

JUNIORS

Ryan Walcott 6ft2 Shadow Mountain

Ryan is the starting point for the Arizona Stars AAU team. He is one of the top junior point guards in the West who will be recruited by a number of top programs. He drills the three, creates scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, and he knows how to run a team. He is an excellent prospect who should continue to improve and attract the attention of top programs.

Scott Watson 6ft Gilbert

Watson is a good athlete who starred for a senior dominated Gilbert High team. He is quick and strong and has long range on his jumper. I like this kids game and think he'll be a top college prospect. Look for a number of top Western programs to rush this kid.

Austin Ainge 6ft2 Highland

Ainge has really improved his game. He has added muscle and is much more confident than the last time I saw him. He has at least one Jason Williams style pass a game and has a sweet shot. He hits the three or the midrange jumper. This kid is a sleeper and will continue to improve. He could be the best point in this group by the time he's done with college.

Marcus Robinson 6ft Mesa High

Marcus is a smooth lefty who loves to shoot the three and take you off the dribble if you play him too close. He's another junior to monitor for next year. He really plays hard on defense.

SUPER SOPHOMORE

Jason Fontenot 5ft10 St. Marys

This kid was my favorite guard and one of my favorite players in the whole tournament. He is jet quick, handles the ball like a globetrotter, hits the three with ease, and is an amazing passer. He is the best point guard regardless of class and is definitely one of the top sophs in the West. I can't wait to see this kid when he's a senior. A definite high level recruit.

CENTERS/POSTMEN

SENIORS

Ricky Luenberg 6ft10 Gilbert

This kid is a good athlete with long arms and good mobility. He has nice post moves and a soft touch that make him tough to guard. He has the ability to block shots and he battles for rebounds. With added weight and a more aggressive attitude, this kid could develop into a good college player.

JUNIORS

Daryl Isaac 7ft Peoria

One of the top rated centers in the country, Isaac is very thin and needs to put on muscle to compete with the stronger post players in the country. However, he has a nice touch to go with solid post moves that make him tough to defense down low. His forte is blocking shots and keeping them in bounds. He is a mobile, skilled big man who will continue to improve. With added muscle and aggressiveness, this kid will develop into a top post player.

Skyler Musser 6ft10 Maryvale

Musser is a strong, solid post who battles for rebounds and is tough to stop down low. He combines solid skills and an aggressiveness that make him a top recruit for next year. He gets down and dirty and doesn't look pretty, but he gets the job done.

SOPHOMORE

Channing Frye 6ft10 St. Marys

This kid is a very skilled big man who will continue to get better and better. He looks skinny, but he battles inside and was able to defend 6ft8 inch super soph Dennis Lattimore. I love his soft touch, post moves and aggressiveness inside. He is defnitely one of the top big men in the West as a soph and he will only get better and better.

OFF GUARDS

SENIORS

Tyler Herr 6ft4 Gilbert

Herr is a smooth player who if he adds some nastiness to his game, could be a big time sleeper at St. Mary's where he has signed to play next year. He can throw down some amazing dunks and drain the three all day. In two years the Pac-10 schools are going to regret not recruiting him.

Jimmy Tricco 6ft7 Brophy

Tricco has played point for Brophy and is one of the best all around players in the state. He is a solid athlete who handles the ball well, makes outstanding passes and decisions, has a nice outside shot, and with added strength will fit in well at Gonzaga. He, like Herr, has a lot of potential and will only get better.

Brett Cox 6ft2 Mountain View

Cox is a strong jump shooter who also plays solid defense and never forces his game. He battles for rebounds and loose balls and was a major factor in Mountain View's drive to the State Championship.

Josh Cramer 6ft2 Ironwood

He doesn't look like a player, but he is. He is not very athletic, but he uses his instincts and court smarts to create his own openings and to set up his teammates.

JUNIORS

Jon Howard 6ft4 Brophy

Probably the best player in the junior class. He is an all around player who can dunk on you, hit the 3 or mid range shot, or run the point if you need him to. He is smooth and doesn't force the action. He is a team player who will probably be the top recruit out of the state next year.

Josh Todd 6ft2 Marcos De Niza

A good athlete with an excellent outside shot. He uses his strength and solid quickness to drive and play tough defense. 

SOPHOMORES

Chad Christiansen 6ft2 Desert Mountain

This kid has a bright future. He has a pretty outside shot and with a couple more inches of height and improved strength will be an outstanding college two guard. One to watch in the future.

POWER FORWARDS

SENIORS

John Oden 6ft9 Carl Hayden

Depaul bound Oden is a big time player. He boards, has a nice touch around the basket to go with good post moves, blocks shots and throws down some thunderous dunks. This kid will play early at Depaul and fit in well with their young studs. Probably the second best player in the state this year.

Tommie Smith 6ft9 North

This kid uses his long arms and good vertical to block shots and intimidate on defense. He has a nice shot and uses his skills and good instincts to score inside. He has the ability to handle the ball and with some weight work and good coaching from Rob Evans at ASU could end up being an All Pac-10 player.

Hakim Rasul 6ft5 Tucson Pueblo

This athletic insider dunks everything and uses his bulk to get inside and score on taller players. All he needs to add is an outside game and he could be a big time player. I'd take him now. Definitely a pac-10 level player who might not have the grades to go straight to D1.

Art Daniels 6ft7 Thunderbird

This athletic battler plays tenacious defense and pounds the boards. This kid is a definite D1 player, but I heard he's going to play at Grand Canyon, an NAIA school. If so, he'll be a great player for Grand Canyon. Otherwise, a good role player at the D1 level.

Adam Bauman 6ft8 Horizona

Bauman is an athletic insider who uses his strength to rebound and dunk inside. He could be a real sleeper for the right D1 program. By the time he's a junior he should be a solid contributor. Good upside.

Josh Rebholtsz 6ft6 Saguaro

This blue collar kid is a little undersized, but has solid post moves and insticts to score over taller defenders. He plays tough d and rebounds. A good player who gets the most out of his ability.

Ricky Bezanson 6ft8 Arizona Lutheran Academy

This kid has a nice three point shot and solid post moves. He prefers to play outside, but he has the ability to go inside and get his points as well. A sleeper who could develop. Played against weak competition in high school.

Steve Sullivan 6ft7 Red Mountain

This kid battles for rebounds and loose balls. Not much of a scorer, his game is limited, but he is a good role player.

JUNIORS

Ryan Haggerty 6ft10 Saguaro

Solid post man with good skills and a nice touch. Being recruited by many top schools, needs a good summer to retain the high interest.

Matt Jerome 6ft8 Gilbert

Another tall kid from Gilbert with good athleticism and solid skills. Will be interesting to see if he can fill in for seniors Greg Ethington (Pepperdine) and Ricky Luenberg. Needs to look to score more.

SOPHOMORES

Dennis Lattimore 6ft8 Mountain View

This kid is the real deal. One of the top sophs in the country. He is a monster inside. He is an awesome rebounder and shot blocker who dunks like an NBA player. One of the few kids I saw who doesn't need to put on weight. He uses his amazing strength to clear the boards and his leaping ability to intimidate on defense. He played well against Senior John Oden and showed he can play with anybody. BIG TIME RECRUIT! Watch all the majors chase this guy. Kansas, Georgetown, Arizona, ASU and everyone else.

Antonio Griffin 6ft7 McClintock

This kid may not be as good as Lattimore, but he's got a lot of potential. He is athletic and highly skilled for such a young player. He has a nice touch, good moves, handles the ball well for a bigger player, and he is very aggressive and hardworking. I love his potential. He'll be a big time recruit by the time he's a senior.

Nick Lewis 6ft8 Brophy

Another solid young post player. This kid plays hard and has nice post moves for such a youngster. I love his potential. Another good one in the sophomore class.

Jordan Legge 6ft7 Dobson

Solid insider who scores and plays good defense.

Nick Dewitz 6ft7 Dobson

Will team up with Jordan Legge inside to make Dobson one of the top teams next year. He's athletic and attacks the glass. One to watch.

GT Turley Chino Valley 6ft10

This kid is in serious need of some weight. He is painfully skinny. However, he does have a nice shot that extends to three point range and he does battle inside despite his lack of strength. With time could develop.

SMALL FORWARDS

SENIORS

Donnell Knight 6ft7 Corona Del Sol

Without a doubt, the best player in the state. He put on a show in this tourney with some of the best dunks I've seen in a long time. He has a good all around game that will make him a freshman starter next year at ASU. He has really worked hard on his game. When he started as a freshman at Corona you could see the potential, but his game was mainly blocking shots. Now, he has transformed himself into one of the top wings in the country. He handles the ball well and uses his athleticism and moves to drive to the hoop for the dunk, or maybe he'll break you down and pop the three in your face, or better yet drive by you and pull up for the mid range jumper. This kid is legit and he keeps getting better and better. He could eventually play guard. I love his game.

Donnie Jackson 6ft5 Shadow Mountain

Another highlight reel dunker who has the talent to play with anyone. If he develops a better outside game, you could see him in the NBA.

Mike Schwertley 6ft5 Brophy

This kid is a little undersized, but he is a warrior on the boards and he is a strong, powerful athlete. I love this kid. He does all the little things it takes to win and given time, could develop into a solid player at the next level. Some D1 school will be getting a hard working diamond in the rough.

Jeff Kirkeby 6ft6 Thunderbird.

This kid drills the outside shot and can take you off the dribble with his crafty moves. I like this kid as a SF or 2g. He's not a great athlete, but he's athletic enough to get his shot off and create his own. Good player.

Dominic Payne 6ft5 McClintock

This kid is an active athlete who plays hard and has a lot of potential. Would fit in well at a D1 school where he could develop for two years.

JUNIORS

Jamaal Scott 6ft6 Shadow Mountain

This athletic kid plays tough defense and rebounds, but hasn't shown much of an outside game. On talent and attitude alone, this kid will be heavily recruited. With a better outside game, the sky is the limit.

Anthony Hull 6ft5 Peoria

Similar to Scott in his athleticism and ability to score inside. Continued improvement and a good showing this summer will lead him to the next level.

Matt McCann 6ft5 Dobson

This strong kid has the ability to handle the ball and hit the midrange shot. He needs work on his outside game, but he battles inside and scores with a variety of inside moves. Solid player.

Steve Garnette 6ft5 Winslow

I loved watching this kid. He went hard after rebounds and played tough d. He also has a knack for scoring inside and is an excellent athlete.

Michael Mason 6ft5 South Mountain

This kid plays a lot like Garnette. He battles inside and always plays hard. He has nice moves and is a good athlete.

SOPHOMORES

Jon Wilkins

Great athlete who with continued development on his perimeter skills will be a big time player.

Bilal Russell 6ft4 South Mountain

This kid was impressive. He's a strong lefty who can hit the three, go inside, hit the mid range shots and battle for rebounds. This kid looks like he'll end up being a 6ft7 inch scoring machine by the time he's a senior. Good prospect.

FRESHMEN

Brian Freeney 6ft7 Tempe

He's considered a top freshman nationally and played well. He is a good athlete who plays hard and impressed me with his work ethic. This kid will continue to develop and be a top player by his senior year. He plays tough D and rebounded well beyond his age. Definitely a top prospect.

KIDS I DIDN'T SEE WITH GREAT REPUTATIONS.

Brent Baker 6ft2 guard Dobson
Ryan Pawling 6ft3 guard Chapparal
Mark Bowens 6ft2 guard Cactus (sophomore)
Dustin Geddes 6ft7 forward Cactus (junior)
Lynzell Jackson 6ft4 forward Tempe (sophomore)

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