bcinorley report

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Jerry Norley: BCI Tournament Report--
FOH, AZ Stars & Other Player Notes--(April 5, 1999)

While this report is about no one from SoCal, it's about a lot of guys who will be in SoCal this weekend, or who have played here on and off at various tournaments over the years. Our friend Jerry Norley happened to catch the BCI (that's Basketball Congress International) Tournament in Phoenix this weekend, and he jotted down a couple of notes and wrote a great report. The opinions expressed are his own, and if you want to complain, well, just post it to the message board. If you have questions for Jerry Norley, likewise, post them to the message board, or e-mail us and we'll see to it that he gets the message.

FRIENDS OF HOOP FROM SEATTLE UPSET THE ARIZONA STARS TO WIN BCI TITLE

By Jerry Norley
Exclusive to SoCalHoops

The Friends of Hoop out of the Seattle, Washington area pulled off the upset and beat the more talented Arizona Stars Seniors to win the 1999 Spring Tip
Off High School Division Tourney. I saw the Friends of Hoop play during a game early in the tournament and although I jotted a few notes down, didn't think much of their team or the players. On the other hand, I figured the Arizona Stars Seniors with a team full of D1 level players like John Oden (Depaul), Donnell Knight, Tommie Smith (ASU), Hakim Rasul (ASU/JUCO), Kevin Woodberry (Baylor/Portland), Chris Walls(St. Mary's), and others would have no problem making the championship game and would likely win it all easily. My suspicions were confirmed after the AZ STARS SENIORS blew out a very tough Utah Select Team that featured All American Stud Junior Jess Pinegar and Senior Chris Huber. At that point, I was trying to figure out by how much they would blow out the lowly Friends of Hoop team, which looked to be overmatched against the Stars.

But Friends of Hoop came to play in the Championship game, and not only beat the Arizona Stars Seniors, but destroyed them, beating them by over 20 points. The game was never close in the second half. The Friends of Hoop were the proverbial hardnosed, fundamentally sound, well coached team of kids playing together, hitting 3's, setting screens, boxing out, and generally outhustling and outplaying the AZ STARS. But these kids are very talented and were very impressive. Here is my review of the following players:

Steve Towne, 6'-0" Sr. PG out of Seattle, not only can drill the three pointer and set up his teammates with nice passing and ball movement, he also has the quicks to handle intense defensive pressure and not only beat the press but turn the opponents press into offensive opportunities for his own team. He was outstanding running the show for FOH and killing the Stars with his deadly shooting.

Brendon Merritt, 6' 4" SG out of Tacoma was incredible in the championship game. The kid was drilling threes, beating the Stars press, taking the ball inside and getting fouled, and playing tough man to man defense himself. His intense, intelligent style of play was a joy to watch. He is a definite D1 player. He may not be a pretty player, but he gets the job done!

Darnell Lyons, 6'-5" SG/SF--this wing out of Seattle is a sweet shooting lefty with the most talent on this team. He had good hops and despite his talent, played within the team concept and didn't force his game. Solid player with a good future at the D1 level.

Gene Woodard, 6'-6" F-- out of Seattle was an athletic forward who battled on the boards against the taller stars and held his own. He didn't show much of an outside game, but was a tough, athletic insider who could develop into a solid player

Jesse Keely 6'-8" --out of Tacoma is a big, strong kid who doesn't back down from anyone and cleans house on the boards. A tough, nasty kid who boxes out and plays hard down low.

Nick Lano 6'-7" F--out of Lynwood, Washington is a good athlete with nice inside moves and the will to crash the boards and play tough interior defense. This kid was a real spark for FOH and would be a solid role player at the D1 level.

Kenny Williams, 5'-10" PG--out of Tacoma was a quick point who handles the rock, plays body on body tough D and runs the show. Solid point

I can't stress enough how impressive these kids were. They all played tough D and generally made love hell for the Arizona Stars, who seemed to be the more talented team and the team heavily favored to win the whole tourney. These kids were well coached, but they had the right attitude to bring the game plan to fruition. What an impressive group of kids. They are all seniors and should fill out various teams at the D1 level. Great job FOH!!!!

ARIZONA STARS SENIORS

Part of the problem for the Stars might have been their battle to get to the championship game. They played the Utah Select team in the final four and beat them soundly, but the game was close until the last few minutes, when the Stars were able to use their tough pressure defense to demolish the team from Utah. They played their best game against Utah and seemed lethargic and drained against FOH. Then again, the FOH team probably were the reason. Anyway, here's my report on the most talented team in the tourney.

Kevin Woodberry, 6'-0" PG-- from Trevor Browne looked good in this tourney. He was drilling threes, hitting the mid range shots, driving in to dish or score layups and handling the ball like a pro. He's a solid D1 point who is choosing between Portland and Baylor. Pac-10 schools like WSU, Oregon St, and Oregon will regret not taking a shot at this kid. He's not only a good all around player but a good student with a 3.8 GPA and is class president. He should be able to play right away and after he adds more weight be a starter.

Sammy Wade 6'-0" PG--from Tucson Pueblo is a ball handling wizard who shakes and bakes his way to the hoop or stops on a dime and drills the three in your face. He could go JUCO, but if he qualifies will make some D1 school a solid point guard for the next 4 years.

Donnell Knight, 6'-8" wing from Tempe Corona is simply the best player in Arizona. He's worked to make himself a good all around player and a great prospect. NBA prospect. Yes, he's that talented and will end up playing for pay. He also has a fire and intense desire to win that will help bring ASU back to national prominence.

John Oden 6'-9" C/F--from Phoenix, on his way to Depaul will be able to contribute immediately next year in Chicago. He's a very talented insider who dominated the first quarter against FOH. He has nice inside moves, is aggressive, blocks shots, and has a nice touch. He also hits free throws. This kid is a stud who would have been a great recruit for the Pac-10.

Tommie Smith 6'-9" SG/SF--wing from North high school. He has all the talent in the world, great hops, long arms, a soft touch, and he can handle the ball, now Rob Evans just needs to instill some more aggressiveness into Smith at ASU and he has a potential All Pac10 player. One to watch for the future.

Hakim Rasul 6'-5" PF--from Tucson Pueblo. Another potential ASU signee is tough to stop down low. He dunks it on anyone and even brought it strong against 6ft10 inch super junior Jess Pinegar. This kid will continue to get better and better as he rounds out his game. If he qualifies look for ASU to sign him. If not, he could go JC and be a top prospect in two years.

Chris Craig 6'-2" PG--out of Horizon is a smooth, solid athlete who handles the ball, makes the right pass, and drills the outside shot. I love his game. He is a tough guard who can play point or two guard who can play at the mid to high D1 level. He'd be great in the WAC

The Stars had a great group of kids who played hard but seemed to run out of gas against the FOH and seemed to get frustrated early against a hardnosed
group of kids from Seattle.

HERE'S A SAMPLING OF THE REST OF THE PLAYERS I SAW

UTAH SELECT 3rd Place

Jess Pinegar, 6'-10" Jr. F-- from Utah was the best player in this tournament. He can drop threes, handle the ball, drive it in and dunk on you, or just use his superior skills and solid athleticism to beat you inside. What a player. He can do it all. He is a BIG TIME player who will be an NBA player for sure. He's that good. Incredibly skilled big kid with a good attitude and skills to match. Hello Duke, Kansas, Arizona and everyone else in the world!

Chris Huber 6'-2" Sr.--from Utah. This kid is very strong, quick, handles the ball well, drains the three, takes you off the dribble and scores inside, and loves the no look pass. He's a tough kid who can flat out play. One of my favorite players in the tourney.

Skyler Wilson 6'-8" Jr. F--This kid is an athletic forward who has nice skills, a nice touch, and an endless amount of energy. A sleeper out of Utah who should be recruited by the WAC. Unsung player on this team. [Note from SoCalHoops--obviously, he's not to be confused with Skyler Wilson (5'-11" So. PG) from

Jason Baker 6'-2" Jr. PG/SG-- This kid uses his athleticism and toughness to finish everything inside. He also has a nice shot and skills. One to watch and a definite D1 player.

CALIFORNIA TOTAL IMPACT 4th place

This team was mainly sophs and juniors from the LA area. An impressive showing for such a young team.

Peter McCaslin 5'-11" So. PG/SG--Chadwick, Palos Verdes. This kid is a tough point who drained threes and handled the ball well against tough pressure. He also likes to take it inside. Solid player.

David Harris 6'-5" So. F--from W. Torrance has solid skills and athleticism and played well against the older players.

Robert Rakestraw 5'-10" So. G--from St. Monica played well. He's skinny, but held his own. He has a nice shot and good handles. Solid player who needs more strength. One to watch.

Marcus Shelby 6'-6" Jr. F--from Santa Monica looks awkward at times, but showed enough skills and athleticism to be the best long term prospect from this team. He's a solid player now who just needs more time to develop into a solid D1 prospect.

ARIZONA HEAT BLUE 5th place

Brent Baker 6'-4" Jr. SG-- from Dobson High school in Mesa, Arizona. This kid is a SLEEPER!!! He is strong, a good athlete, has a nice outside jumper, and loves to take it in strong and finish. I love his game. He is a Pac-10 level 2 guard who is a tough, nasty guard with a bright future. Definite D1 prospect

Jon Schroeder 6'-3" Jr. SG--from Tempe Corona Del Sol can jump, plays intense defense, handles the ball pretty well, and has a nice lefthanded outside shot. A solid prospect who looks to have a D1 future.

GT Turley 6'-10" F/C--from Prescott is a project to say the least. He is painfully skinny but does battle for rebounds and has a nice touch. Someone for a low D1 to develop.

Matt McCann 6'-5" Jr. F--from Dobson High. Baker's partner at Dobson is tough on the boards and has decent athleticism. Needs to show more of an outside game, but has solid inside skills

TUCSON HEAT 6th Place

Mark Brown, 5'-10" Jr. PG --from Tucson Santa Rita. This kid is a good all around point who handles and hits the outside jumper. Only a lack of weight/strength will limit his recruitment. Lead Santa Rita to the 4A title this year.

Alan Batiste 6'-1" Jr. SG--This kid has a nice outside shot, good athleticism, scores inside and out, hits midrange shots and hustles for every loose ball. A good all around player who will likely grow a few more inches and add more weight. Nice player.

OTHER PLAYERS

Jared Jensen, 6'-9 So F--Hooper, Utah. Sophomore. This kid will be another good big man from Utah. He has great skills, a nice touch, and battles inside for boards. I like his all around game a lot. Will be a WAC recruit who could go higher if he improves his quickness.

Brady Richeson 6'-0" PG-- out of Mountain View in Mesa, Arizona. This kid is a sweet little point who dribbles circles around his opponents and drains threes. Continues to keep improving and has already signed for a low D1 school. Love this kid's game!

Lance Buonchristiani, 5'-8" Sr. PG-- Reno, Nevada. This little guard has a nice jumper, good quicks, and has a cocky attitude that helps him shine. A fun player to watch!

Rick Luenberg 6'-10" Sr. F/C--Gilbert, Arizona. A solid D1 prospect with nice inside moves, nice touch, but needs some work on the weights to fulfill his potential. A good D1 prospect with a lot of potential.

Mike Schwertley 6'-5" F-- Brophy prep in Phoenix, Arizona. This kid is a great athlete who battles and always plays hard. Needs some time to develop more of an outside game, but is a sleeper with a lot of potential for a coach who knows how to develop players and has the patience to wait for this kid to become a solid D1 player.

Nick Sheilfield 6-7" Jr. F-- from North Canyon in Phoenix. Kid is a battler with good athleticism. Battles inside and could develop.

Well, that's all for this tourney. The Spring BCI tourney's are never as good as the summer. They just don't have the number of teams. However, there were a number of good players and teams, many of whom I didn't see. But the Friends of Hoop were awesome and should be congratulated!