By Borko Popic
4/10/08
Day 1-Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Game 1
Tidewater Sealants 99 – Holiday Inn-Portsmouth 81
The start to to the opening game was filled with nervous and hesitant play. After the initial feeling out period, the ball started to drop and the level of play naturally got better. The Tidewater Sealants, thanks to their good shooting took an early lead into halftime (44-31), and never looked back. They pushed the tempo, shared the ball, and showed decent chemistry, considering it was their first time playing together. Holiday Inn-Portsmouth fell victim to playing passive basketball, and they settled for contested jumpshots, on which they didn’t convert resulting in a long night.
Tidewater Sealants
Pat Calathes 16pts, 10rebs, 4assists
Came ready to play, as was seen with the shooting grove he displayed throughout the game. He uses jabs and upfakes to get the defender off balance. With very clever and crafty moves, he was able to get by the defense and show a variety of finishes in the lane (including a couple very nice lefty finishes). Seemed to always be in control, never forcing anything, just let the game come to him. Matched up with smaller and quicker players, yet still showed good enough lateral foot-speed to stay in front of them. Has a great feel for the game, and always knows where the ball is going, both defensively and on the boards. Displayed great ballhandling ability, pushing the ball in transition as well as bringing it up court against pressure a couple times. Calathes seems to thrive in this camp setting since the wide open game is catered for his style of play.
Mark Tyndale 11pts, 8rebs, 8assits, 4 blocks
Played with tons of energy, putting together a complete game on both ends of the floor. Seemed to be everywhere, as was seen when he leapt over the scorers table to save the ball, and throw a perfect pass to a leaking teammate. Offensively, he got most of his points in transition as well as by attacking the offensive glass. On defense, he showed his versatility by locking down his guy on the perimeter, blocking a couple of jump shots, and also coming weakside to swat a few more. Showed good court vision on the break and in halfcourt situations, made great decisions throughout the game. Tyndale made things happen tonight for his team, and thanks to his heady play they were able to run away with the game.
Josh Duncan 14pts, 7rebs, 3assists
Nothing flashy, but the steady play he has shown throughout his career has transferred over to the camp. Shows why he’s a great role player, always making the correct read, whether making the pass or attacking. Displayed the ability to hit the long three, and also got hot at one point converting consecutively on some jump shots. Showed he can put the ball on the floor to get to the hoop, and also the willingness to mix it up inside. At the end of the day, you know what you are going to get from Duncan, and he is consistent in taking care of his part.
Holiday Inn-Portsmouth
Bo McCalebb 10pts, 4assists, 2stls
Showed probably the most NBA potential of anybody that played today. His quickness and explosiveness are making him impossible to match up with. Had the highlight of the night as he dribbled through the lane, and finished with a spectacular dunk in traffic. Missed out on a couple other highlight worthy plays, where he got by his defender but unfortunately had the ball rim out on him. His ballhandling and his first step allow him to get into the lane, where he shows decent ability to dish to the open man. Defensively, he is a pest because of his quickness and aggressiveness (Aaron Bruce found out the hard way as he had serious problems bringing the ball up the court against McCalebb’s pressure). Even though he knocked down a 3, his form still looks very awkward, and his release is slow. If there is anything that is keeping him from becoming a serious prospect, it is his ability and confidence not so much in the three, but more so in the midrange game which he did not show today.
Charles Rhodes 10pts, 9rebs
While not having the best day shooting wise, he showed an intriguing package that combines athleticism and length. Has the ability to step out to about 15 feet, and shoot a decent looking jump shot. He was very active on the glass, getting his hands on a number of balls. Most surprising of all was his ability to shoot of the dribble, even showing a nice stepback a few times.
Game 2
Norfolk Naval Ship 96 – Sales System 88
Not much better than the first game in terms of continuity and flow. The thing that made this one more interesting to watch is the fact that it was pretty close throughout. Down the stretch, Norfolk Naval Shipyard were able to convert on key plays, while Sales System struggled to finish in the lane, eventually resulting in the loss.
Norfolk Naval Ship
Gary Forbes 26pts, 7rebs, 6assists
Showed why he is considered one of the top prospects at this year’s camp. After a bit of a sluggish start, he found his stroke, and was able to convert on some long range threes. His great elevation, and high release make his jump shot almost unstoppable, which he is also able to utilize off the dribble in transition and in the half court. Displayed nice handles, and ability to get by people off the dribble. He had some trouble finishing in the lane, where he is lacking great leaping ability which forces him to use his body more in order to finish. Has great confidence in his game, as he displayed down the stretch where he made key plays in crunch time.
Deron Washington 22pts, 9rebs, 3 blocks
The local favorite played to the crowd in the first half, where he performed extremely well. He attacked in transition, and in the half court, where his leaping ability provided some acrobatic finishes. Even showed good range, knocking down a 3, and a couple other long jump shots. Unfortunately, this was a story of two halves for Washington, where in the 2nd portion of the game he was almost a complete non-factor. He fell in love with the jump shot, which he did not make in the 2nd half, and became passive when he let guys take him out of the play with a little physical play. Deron’s athleticism was on full display, but that was never a question with him, he needs to show the ability to put the ball on the floor and not shy away from contact if he wants to become a serious prospect.
Frank Elegar 12pts, 9rebs
Somewhat of a quiet game statistically, however showed some great flashes of potential. An absolutely great athlete, which he displayed a few times going way above the crowd to snatch rebounds. Offensively, had a couple of great moves, including a spin move that left his defender frozen. Also showed s good touch in the midrange area.
Sales System
Jiri Hubalek 27pts, 10rebs, 3 assists
For a guy who was a late addition, he definitely seemed to play with extra incentive to prove he belongs. From the start he was very active on the offensive glass, where he seemed to grab or at least tip the majority of misses. While his athleticism is nothing to write home about, and he isn’t strong by any means, he is very long, and has a feel for the ball that seems to place him in the right spots every time. Showed nice range, knocking down 2 treys, and a few other long range jumpers. He is a bit awkward in the low post, and his repertoire is limited, but again his length allows him to shoot over the defense.
Othello Hunter 17pts, 13rebs
Was the beneficiary of many of Stanley Burrell’s 13 assists. Never really scored in 1-on-1 isolation situations, but was always in the right spot to finish the play with his terrific athleticism. He reads openings very well, and showed good hands catching passes in traffic. Defensively, he is very soft, but is always a threat as a weakside shotblocker because of his leaping ability.
Ramel Bradley 12pts
Statistically nothing special, but showed a great knack of getting into the lane and finishing with a variety of moves. He was very aggressive off the dribble, and showed great ability to turn the corner. Simply put…he gets by people.
Rosters
CHERRY, BEKAERT & HOLLAND
Coaches : Martin Oliver & Larry Ward
Brian Butch 6-11 245 PF/C Wisconsin Sr.
Patrick Ewing Jr. 6-8 238 SF Georgetown Sr.
Charron Fisher 6-4 230 SF Niagara Sr.
David Gomez 6-7 235 SF/PF Tulane Sr.
Parfait Bitee 6-2 190 PG Rhode Island Sr.
Joe Crawford 6-4 205 SG Kentucky Sr.
Derrick Low 6-1 186 PG Wash. St. Sr.
Jajuan Smith 6-2 195 PG Tennessee Sr.
HOLIDAY INN – PORTSMOUTH
Coaches : Dave Trickler & Eric Acra
Gavin Grant 6-8 208 SF NC State Sr.
Anthony King 6-9 242 PF Miami Sr.
Charles Rhodes 6-8 240 PF Miss.St. Sr.
Will Thomas 6-7 230 PF George Mason Sr.
Demetric Bennett 6-4 210 SG South Alabama Sr.
Alex Harris 6-6 185 SG UCSB Sr.
Bo McCalebb 6-0 180 PG New Orleans Sr.
Brian Roberts 6-2 180 PG Dayton Sr.
K&D ROUNDS LANDSCAPING
Coaches : Jim Markey & Larry Smith
Longar Longar 6-11 232 C Oklahoma Sr.
Kentrell Gransberry 6-9 270 PF So.Fla Sr.
Rob Kurz 6-8 235 SF/PF Notre Dame Sr.
Arizona Reid 6-5 205 SG High Point Sr.
Folarin Campbell 6-4 205 SG George Mason Sr.
Sundiata Gaines 6-1 210 PG Georgia Sr.
Mike Green 6-1 184 PG Butler Sr.
Cliff Hammonds 6-3 200 SG Clemson Sr.
NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD
Coaches : Billy Mann & John Kelly
Frank Elegar 6-9 230 PF Drexel Sr.
Bryant Dunston 6-8 233 PF Fordham Sr.
Deron Washington 6-7 205 SG/SF VT Sr.
Adrian Banks 6-3 190 SG Arkansas State Sr.
Gary Forbes 6-7 220 SG UMass Sr.
AJ Graves 6-1 160 PG Butler Sr.
Anthony Morrow 6-5 205 SG G.Tech Sr.
Jason Richards 6-2 190 PG Davidson Sr.
NORFOLK SPORTS CLUB
Coaches : Mike Head & Mark Butts
Steven Hill 7-0 250 Arkansas Sr.
Dwayne Curtis 6-8 280 PF Mississippi Sr.
Dion Dowell 6-6 195 SG/SF Houston Sr.
Jonte Flowers 6-5 185 Winona State Sr.
Drew Lavender 5-7 153 PG Xavier Sr.
Chris Lofton 6-2 200 SG Tennessee Sr.
Quan Prowell 6-8 215 SF/PF Auburn Sr.
Jonathan Wallace 6-1 180 PG G’town Sr.
PORTSMOUTH SPORTS CLUB
Coaches : Tony Holloway & P.J. Honore
Chris Daniels 7-0 260 C Texas A&M CC Sr.
Kyle Hines 6-6 240 PF UNC Greensboro Sr.
Haminn Quaintance 6-8 220 PF Kent State Sr.
Mykal Riley 6-6 180 SG Alabama Sr.
Reggie Williams 6-6 185 SG VMI Sr.
Jaycee Carroll 6-2 175 SG Utah St. Sr.
Dominique Kirk 6-3 185 PG/SG Texas A&M Sr.
Rob McKiver 6-3 195 PG/SG Houston Sr.
SALES SYSTEMS LTD
Coaches : Leo Anthony & Mac Carroll
Jiri Habalek 6-11 225 PF/C Iowa St. Sr.
Justin Hawkins 6-7 205 SF N.Mex.St.Sr.
Othello Hunter 6-9 225 PF Ohio St. Sr.
Brian Laing 6-5 215 SG Seton Hall Sr.
Williams Leon 6-8 255 Ohio PF Sr.
Ramel Bradley 6-1 179 PG Kentucky Sr.
Stanley Burrell 6-2 205 PG/SG Xavier Sr.
Marcus Hall 6-1 190 PG Colorado Sr.
TIDEWATER SEALANTS
Coaches : Max Gillespie & Jerry Hasty
Shaun Pruitt 6-10 255 C Illinois Sr.
Pat Calathes 6-10 220 SF St.Jospeh’s Sr.
Joseph Jones 6-9 250 PF Texas A&M Sr.
Mark Tyndale 6-5 210 SG Temple Sr.
Aaron Bruce 6-2 180 PG Baylor Sr.
Jamar Butler 6-0 180 PG Ohio St.
Josh Duncan 6-9 230 PF Xavier Sr.
Martin Zeno 6-5 208 SG Texas Tech Sr.
