LEWISVILLE, TX – Basketball camp all-star games – more often than not – are muddled and sloppy affairs, while ending up as prime examples of selfishness, hoops-style.
Sunday afternoon, at the MAC for the wrap-up of the annual Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp, proved an exception to that most unfortunate rule of thumb.
The event’s Top 60 and Top 30 Cream of the Crop games were mostly well-played and competitive, from opening tips until the final buzzers, without an extreme amount of “shot hunting” on display.
The all-around play of 6-foot-8 sophomore Paul Washington Jr. helped the square wearing black jerseys break out to an early double-figure margin advantage and, later, the long-distance shooting of another sophomore, Trae Young, helped the team hold off a rally by the White squad, 77-70, in the Top 30 game.
Washington – better known as “P.J.” – earned game Most Outstanding Player honors for the contest.
Washington, who played very well at the USA Basketball Mini Camp in Colorado Springs (Oct. 4-5), often found himself pitted against another of the nation’s 2017 big men in the Top 30 game – 6-9 Isiah Jasey, who may have been the leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker during the four camp games played over the weekend that were used to determine the all-star selections.
Six-foot Zarek Thomas – a member of the Class of 2019 – scored 15 points and bagged MOP honors in the Top 60 game as his White squad prevailed, 74-72, as sophomore Devion Dunbar and freshman Jordan Phillips missed potential score-tying shots in the final seconds.
Thomas freshman brother, Zach Thomas, played for the White team in the Top 30 game and was one of the better point guards and on-ball defenders at the two-day event that attracted approximately 150 participants.
My choices for the 15 sophomores and five freshmen that played the best over the weekend are as follows (based on weekend performances and not strictly college potential)l:
TOP 15+5
Gregory Bowie II (2017/6-2/San Antonio Johnson)
Peter Byrd Jr. (2018/5-11/Richmond, TX, Bush)
J.J. Chandler (2017/6-4/Katy, TX, Cinco Ranch)
Andy Clerveau (2018/6-9/Plano, TX, Willowbend Academy)
Caleb Daniels (2017/6-2/New Orleans St. Augustine)
Jacobi Gordon (2018/6-6/Houston, Home School)
Malik Hudson (2017/6-4/Grand Prairie, TX, South)
Isiah Jasey (2017/6-9/Killeen, TX, Ellison)
Brady Manek (2017/6-7/Harrah, OK)
Chris Mullins (2018/6-2/Mansfield, TX, Timberview)
Jordan Myers (2017/6-3/Ft. Worth North Crowley)
Doc Nelson (2017/6-1/Houston Episcopal)
Winston Nelson (2017/6-6/Norman, OK, North)
C.J. Roberts (2017/6-1/North Richland Hills, TX, Richland)
Zhaire Smith (2017/6-3/Garland, TX, Lakeview)
T.J. Starks (2017/5-11/Desoto, TX)
Zach Thomas (2018/6-0/Duncanville, TX)
Paul Washington Jr. (2017/6-8/Frisco, TX, Lone Star)
Daishaun Woods (2017/6-6/Frisco, TX, Lone Star)
Trae Young (2017/6-1/Norman, OK, North)
Your means of describing everything iin this article is in fact nice, alll can eaily understand it, Thanks a lot.
Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!|