David Bruce

The Primetime Shootout concluded on Sunday afternoon in Trenton.  Here are several of the best players from the day.

Scores:

Linden 77 St. Raymond's 68 (OT)
Paterson Catholic 56 Montrose Christian 34
Christ the King 64 Trenton Central 47
Bishop Loughlin 72 Trenton Catholic 48
American Christian 68 South Kent School 62 (OT)

Linden

David Bruce (2009, 6-9 PF)
David has really come into his own this winter and was phenomenal on Sunday afternoon en route to 35 points and 15 rebounds. He finishes very well around the hoop and was a real thorn in the side of the Raven’s defense. He scored on several old fashioned three point plays, including a reverse lay-up. He ran the floor and had an array of transition lay-ups and a dunk. David also found himself at the line quite frequently and used his smooth stroke to convert from there. Needless to say, he’s also a monster on the boards. David is a player we’ll be sure to keep a close eye on over the summer. He could wind up being one of those kids that really explodes between now and next year.

Des Wade (2008, 5-10 PG) Committed to Houston
Des was much sharper in this one than some of the earlier games we’d seen. He was outstanding at getting into the lane and finishing. He banked in one of his several runners, which included a three point play. His aggressive nature got him to the line quite frequently and he converted nearly every time. Des also threw several nice passes. The playmaker still takes some difficult shots, but he can really score and pass.

Christ the King

Ryan Pearson (2008, 6-7 SF/PF) Committed to George Mason
Ryan was too much for this outmatched team to handle. The crafty lefty owned the low post. He scored on an array of moves including a spin move and hook shot on several occasions. He rebounded well and often looked to push the ball. Ryan even showed more of an outside game than he has in the past. He hit a mid range jumper and also buried a three pointer. While he was efficient, he did have some ugly misses. He wasn’t even close on his first three point attempt. He also missed a dunk. In addition to that, he turned the ball over quite often, typically when he was trying to push the ball. Ryan still had another steady workmanlike day though with a game high 23 points.

Sean Johnson (2009, 6-1 SG)
Sean ran the floor quite often in this one and was in attack mode. He hit a floater in the lane and scored on the break. He also had a couple nice passes, including a drive and kick out. 

Bishop Loughlin

James Johnson (2008, 5-11 PG) Committed to Quinnipiac
James had a solid outing scoring the ball. He hit a couple jumpers, including one of the step back variety. He also scored on the break. He is a well built guard who should be solid in the NEC. James finished with 10 points in the easy win.

Kevin Phillip (2008, 6-7 PF) Committed to Drexel
Kevin pulls down a lot of rebounds every time we see him. That was the case again during this one. He rebounds on both ends of the court and really goes after the ball. Kevin has good hands and gets positioning on the inside. He started quite a few fastbreaks in this one by pushing the ball after getting boards. Kevin also drew a couple fouls on the inside. Defensively, he was solid again with a couple blocks. He plays his role very well for this team.

Trenton Catholic

Markese Tucker (2010, 6-5 PF)
Markese was a beast in this contest. He’s aggressive on the interior and already has a well developed body. He possesses a good set of hands and is a relentless worker. He scored several times around the hoop, including a nice bank shot. Markese doesn’t just anchor down in the paint. He has already developed some good wing skills too. He converted a floater in the lane and hit a couple jumpers, including one of the pull up variety. Markese grabbed some boards and had a few athletic blocks too. Depending on how much he grows will determine where he plays at the next level, but he already developing the skills to play inside or outside. Markese was named Most Outstanding Player after his 19 points and 6 rebounds. 

Daquan Basnight (2009, 6-4 SF/PF)
Daquan really battles inside. He pulled down numerous offensive rebounds throughout the game. He has a solid build and thus he’s comfortable in the paint. He likes to post up and used a spin move on one play to free himself. Daquan also passed out of the low block. On the defensive end, he blocked a shot. He didn’t show much from the perimeter and the more he can develop that part of his game, the more looks he’ll get. 

Dondre Whitmore (2010, 5-9 155 PG)
Dondre is a quick point guard who can handle the ball. He has a nice crossover move and can get into the lane. He scored on a runner in the paint. He also hit a pull up jumper (although his outside shot wasn’t consistent). He setup a teammate on a fastbreak too. 

Frantz Massenat (2010, 6-3 170 PG/SG)
Frantz is a lefty who is very smooth with the ball in his hands. He had a nice drive and dish play. He ran the floor well throughout. He also had a steal on the defensive end.

American Christian

Averon “AJ” Mathews (2008, 6-10 PF)
We’ve been eager to see something from him this season. He looked solid in the spring, but gets few touches on the offensive end with this team. AJ created his own opportunities in this one. The long and athletic post player crashed the boards and scored on several put back attempts. 

George Harper (2010, 6-7 PF)
George made some plays on the glass. He was fouled on the interior and hit one of two free throws. He flashed some of his skills as he drove through the lane, but missed a hook shot. He doesn’t get many touches, but is willing to do the dirty work.

Devyn Erwin (2009, 6-7 SF/PF)
Devyn still wasn’t a big part of the offense, but made a few athletic plays. He scored inside and blocked a shot. He also rebounded fairly well.

St. Raymond’s

Tyreak Johnson (2009, 6-0 PG)
Tyreak is overshadowed by some of his more talented teammates, but he does run a solid point. He’s pretty strong and aggressive going at the hoop. He’ll often look for his teammates when attacking off the dribble. He doesn’t have the smoothest handle, but can get into the lane. He also ran the floor and scored several transition baskets.

Paterson Catholic

Lance Brown (2009, 6-2 SG)
Lance had a solid game as a role player. He scored on a fantastic reverse lay-up. He ran the floor and had some other transition baskets. He also had an athletic dunk.

For analysis of the elite players in the tournament, check out my other articles at the NBE Basketball Report.