National Highlight Reel: 8th grader Braxton Beverly continues basketball ascent

Having left a lasting imprint on the Kentucky state basketball tournament as a mere seventh grader, Braxton Beverly has taken his game to a national level this summer at prestigious camps in Georgia and Kentucky.

In late July the rising eighth grade point guard from Perry County Central (Hazard, Ky.) shared the Best Underclassman Award with 6-foot-6 Justin Johnson, a rising sophomore from Clark (Inez, Ky.) during the 32nd annual Blue Chip Camp at Georgetown, Ky.

Director Rick Bolus told MaxPreps that he is the first eighth grader to make the Top-20 All-Star Game. The high school-dominated camp drew 300 players from 30 states.

In early August Beverly stood out during the annual Junior All-American Camp that brought 150 of the nation's top rising sixth, seventh and eighth graders to Suwanee, Ga. Director Clay Dade said the talented 14-year-old "was outstanding. He was one of the camp's leading scorers (had a 29-point game) and shot the ball very consistently from the perimeter. He's a big-time competitor, too. He helped lead his camp team to an impressive 4-1 record. He also was chosen to participate in the eighth grade All-American game."

Beverly has grown two inches to 5 feet, 10½ inches and added 18 pounds to 153 since the end of his last high school season.

"I do feel a lot stronger," he said. "It helps me finish around the basket a whole lot more. One of my biggest improvements is defense. I'm able to move a lot quicker (due to added strength)."

His prep coach, Allan Hatcher, said that the young phenom is learning to work off screens and get into the lane more often so he can shoot his improved mid-range jump shot. He also is using his left hand a lot better due to his endless work ethic.

"I can see the confidence building in him," Hatcher said. "The unique thing is that I've never seen a kid this young keep his head on straight and keep everything in perspective so well."

Dade said that Most Outstanding Player honors in the eighth grade went to Devearl Ramsey, a 6-footer from Chatsworth, Calif. "He was scintillating with his speed, strength and athleticism. He was unstoppable getting to the basket and in transition."

Seventh-grade honors went to Cody Riley, a 6-7 resident of Hidden Hills, Calif. Dade noted that another seventh grader, 5-8 Kel Stotts of Columbia, Ky., "Was unquestionably the camp's best shooter regardless of grade. The range on his shot was astounding. He went on one stretch where he hit four consecutive bombs in one game."

Sixth-grade honors went to 5-8 Michael Feinberg, who also is from Hidden Hills, Calif.

M.J. Walker, a 6-3 eighth grader from College Park, Ga., brought down the house by leaping over a smaller player to win the slam-dunk contest. Click here for the YouTube video.

Another sixth grader to watch is 6-2 Bol Bol, son of former NBA standout Manute Bol. Not surprisingly the Kansas City, Mo., resident was named best defensive player in his age group.

* Omar Calhoun from Christ The King (Middle Village, N.Y.) poured in 34 points and 6-8 Kyle Anderson of St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) added 28 as Team New York outscored Team USA, 146-138, during the inaugural Franchise Classic in New York. The losers' 6-5 Archie Goodwin from Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Ark.) took game honors with 46 points.

* Jamar Kemp, son of former NBA star Shawn Kemp, already is 6-5 and 230 pounds and will be a freshman at O'Dea (Seattle, Wash.).

* Ishmail Wainright is transferring from South (Raytown, Mo.) to Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), according to the Kansas City Star. The 6-5, 200-pounder averaged 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds as a junior. "You get a player like that once in a lifetime," South coach Brad Oesterich told the Star.

* Last year's St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) basketball team will be featured in an HBO documentary, Prayer For a Perfect Season, on Oct. 25, according to ZagsBlog.

* The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Malik Morgan has made a commitment to LSU. The 6-3 standout averaged an impressive 28.9 points as a junior for Curtis (River Ridge, La.).
 
* Two players from national power Simeon (Chicago) have made pledges to colleges, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Steve Taylor, a 6-8 rising senior, has chosen Marquette, while 6-2 rising junior Kendrick Nunn has chosen Texas A&M.

* The Raleigh News & Observer reports that Isaiah Hicks, a rising junior at Body of Christ Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.), has made a commitment to the University of North Carolina. The 6-9, 198-pounder averaged 15.5 points as a sophomore.

BASEBALL: HOCKADAY REJECTS ORIOLES
K.J. Hockaday will attend the University of Maryland this fall after rejecting an offer from the Baltimore Orioles. Hockaday slammed 31 career home runs for John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.) to break the MIAA record that had been held by current New York Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira.

* The Chicago Cubs have signed Trevor Gretzky, son of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. The 6-4 first baseman batted .393 last spring for Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.).

* The Midland Redskins, based in Cincinnati, routed the Arizona Firebirds, 11-1, to win their third consecutive and 13th overall Connie Mack World Series championship in Farmington, N.M. Dakota Smith was named MVP.

* Wakeland (Frisco, Texas) shortstop/pitcher Willie Schwanke has made a commitment to the University of Arkansas, according to the Dallas Morning News. As a junior, he was 14-1 on the mound with a 1.54 ERA and 99 strikeouts. At the plate, he batted .477 with 10 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored.

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