The Apple's Best
Ballaz
Rumble in the
Bronx 2002
Player Evaluations-
By Keith Mason
17
& Under
2003
Daon Merritt 5'8
PG, New York Ravens- Merritt played pretty well this weekend despite his
jump shot not dropping. He got to the basket and finished very well, and in this
tournament he passed better then I've ever seen him pass. He also displayed a
much improved handle. Like many New York players when the game is on the line he
wants the ball, and knows what to do with it. But his major weakness this
weekend, was free throw shooting. In the team's final game he missed too many
free throws for a point guard, something he'll need to work on before he gets to
college.
Curtis Stinson 6'2 PG, New York Ravens- Stinson shot much more then I've
ever seen him shoot before. The last two summers he looked for his teammates and
shot when it presented itself. Stinson has developed a reliable jump shot out to
the 3 point line. As usual he took it to the basket strong, but he also got
himself in trouble a lot by over penetrating when nothing was there. He didn't
play defense as well as he usually does, namely against the CAS Warriors and the
Tallahassee Wildcats. But Stinson got the job done on the offensive end,
dropping in 20 in every game the Ravens played.
Lou McCroskey 6'4 SF, New York Ravens- Lou had a solid tournament, showed
off a great handle and ability to finish around the basket. He didn't shoot the
ball well, which isn't a big surprise, he'll need to work on the J so he can get
the looks he deserves. He also shot very poorly from the line, which was the
theme for the Raven team. He rebounded the ball well for the undersized Raven
team.
Gary Forbes 6'5 SG, Riverside Church-This weekend was Forbes' coming out
party on the national scene. He can do it all, handle the rock, hit the 3,
finish at the basket, rebound the ball very a well and play lock down defense.
He is a legit 2 guard at the next level, because of his skills and strength. He
is also a very consistent player, he played well in every game, despite
Riverside dominating everybody. He kept the team in the game in the first half
against the Panthers before they took over. And he was a big reason for
Riverside blowing Team Breakdown away in the second half.
Gary Ervin 5'10 PG, Riverside Church- Gary showed off what everyone knows
he has, the jumper, handle, strength, the ability to finish with big men on him,
and his tight D. But what he showed me that I hadn't really seen before was his
ability to make the pin point pass. In the team's first playoff game his passes
were off but against the Panthers and Team Breakdown he looked like a true New
York City point guard. Ervin showed off his great athleticism by finishing over
big men. His incredible quickness was too much for every team he matched up
against this weekend.
Quincy Douby 6'3 SG, Riverside Church- Douby shot the lights out as usual
from all over the court. He also displayed his athleticism when he got in
the open court. He handles the ball pretty well but he didn't take it to the
basket enough. He didn't show the ability to grab boards, and he lacks defensive
intensity. These are both areas he can improve, and if he does skies the limit
for him.
Chris Taft 6'10 C, Juice All-Stars- Chris is an excellent offensive
rebounder, so if a shot is missed and he's near it watch your head, because he
is going to make you look bad if you go for that rebound. He is very mobile, and
can take other big men off the dribble. He made some nice moves around the
basket and finished with both hands. He needs to work on his shot blocking and
his defensive rebounding.
Ramel Bradley 6'1 PG, Juice All-Stars- He tends to get overshadowed
playing in the same backcourt as Sebastian, but he is a very good player. He can
shoot it, and he has a sick handle. What he showed me this weekend, was
athleticism, and the ability to make the pinpoint pass. Before this weekend I
did not know he could dunk, and he showed he does that with ease. He traps the
ball very well, and plays with a lot of intensity on the defensive end.
Karron Clarke 6'6 SG, Juice All-Stars- Karron's weekend ended early, as
he was unable to play on Sunday, because he had to go to the hospital. But in
the games he played, he gave Juice a lot of energy. Karron is very athletic, and
has exceptional skills for a player his height. He is ready to play on the next
level at the guard spot. He hit 3's, got to the basket, dunked, rebounded. He
showed a lot of skills, and it may have been a different game if Karron would
have played against Team Breakdown.
2004
Darius
Washington 6'0 PG, Tallahassee Wildcats- We didn't get to see him matchup
against Sebastian, but I saw enough of him to know that Sebastian has a equal in
the 2004 class, yes, the kid is that real. In his first playoff game, he went up
against the Ravens, and it was clear he was the best player on the court, as he
poured in 34, and it didn't even look like he played his best. He is extremely
quick, and has great fundamentals which allows him to turn the corner better
then most. He prefers to take it to the basket but he does have a reliable
jumper that he will knock down if you give it to him. He is also an excellent
free throw shooter. You can bet everything that you, that he and Sebastian will
be in the same pool at ABCD Camp, and that promises to be the most exciting game
of camp.
Emmanuel Quezada 6'2 PG, CAS Warriors- He made a statement right away
playing against the Ravens on Friday night by dropping in 21. He showed the
ability to get the basket with ease and finish with either hand. He doesn't have
a flashy handle, but he has a good enough handle that he doesn't get ripped. He
also displayed a nice stroke at the 3-point line.