Donte Thomas

Here is a look at the remainding stand out players on the top teams at the Hoop Group West Virginia Jam Fest in Morgantown, WV.  God's Glory fell to the Ohio Basketball Club in the final.

God's Glory

Donte Thomas (2011, 6-2 SG)
This team doesn't have a ton of household names, but God's Glory just wins games.  Leading the way for this program on most occasions is Donte Thomas.  This talented guard makes things happen.  He handles the ball well and loves to attack.  He was actually at his best in this one when driving and kicking out to open teammates.  Donte drove left time and time again.  He had a beautiful play where he sliced through traffic when going that way and he finished with the left hand.  He also hit a runner when attacking in that direction.  It was a tough day on the perimeter for Donte as his shot wasn't falling.  He still had a fine game though. 

Antonio Jennifer (2010, 6-5 SF)
This lanky wing man can attack or shoot the rock.  Antonio hit a pair of three pointers from the outside.  He had a couple nice drives to the cup and kicked it out to an open teammate on one of them.  He also banked in a shot after a nice feed.  Antonio wasn't dominant, but he made some things happen.

Marquis Gentry (2010, 6-8 PF/C)
Marquis is an intriguing big man.  He already has a solid build which we do well for him at the next level.  He opened the game with a flurry.  The lefty hit a hook shot in the post.  Marquis then threw in a highly difficult shot over his head around the rim.  He was fouled on the play too, but missed the free throw.  After that, his touches were rather limited though.  Where he excelled was as a defensive rebounder.  He pulled down board after board.  Marquis is pretty athletic too and he showed that when he blocked a shot.  He still looks to be scratching the surface, but the potential is definitely there for Marquis.

New England Playaz

Dartaye Ruffin (2010, 6-8 PF) committed to Drexel
This Drexel commit is taking a detour route to his college career.  Dartaye is first headed to prep school.  He has and excellent set of hands and used that as a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor.  He did most of his damage on the offensive end by scoring on putbacks.  Dartaye didn't get a lot of touches so he had to make his own opportunities.  He can handle the ball in short space.  In the first game of the week, he really struggled to finish around the rim.  The game we caught later in the week, he was much better in that area.  Dartaye moves pretty well.  He already has some muscle definition with the potential to add a lot of bulk to his frame.  If nothing else, he should be able to be a productive rebounder and physical presence defensively at the next level.

Nate Lubick (2010, 6-8 215 PF) Committed to Georgetown
Nate wasn't at his best throughout the week, but he was still solid.  He's always very active and makes plays around the rim.  When he sees an open chance at the rim, he explodes to the hoop.  Nate had an athletic dunk among his finishes.  He did struggle to convert consistently though.  He grabbed a lot of rebounds.  He also rolled in a deep jumper.  Nate certainly made some things happen in this one.

Anthony Ireland (2010, 6-0 PG)
Anthony was at his best creating off the dribble and then setting up teammates.  He had several drive and dish plays.  He can attack in either direction.  He finished on a break with a foul on one occasion.  He also banked home a shot and was fouled another time.  Anthony converted a scoop shot with a foul.  He even stepped outside and it a 17 foot jumper.   

Denzel Brito (2010, 6-2 PG/SG)
Denzel is a slashing guard who gets to the rim.  He had several fine finishes when on the attack, including a banked shot.  He did a fine job of going to the hoop in either direction. He showed himself to be unselfish as he dished off several passes.  Denzel can light it up from the outside too.  He went to his left and buried a very tough pull up jumper.  He also hit a pull up jumper and a shot from beyond the arc.  Denzel has an excellent all around game and is a player worth tracking.

Naadir Tharpe (2011, 5-11 PG)
Naadir is a quick change of direction ball handler with a good crossover move.  He was effective when on the attack, including a drive and scoop finish.  He also converted after being fouled on another play.  Naadir had a nice stop and go and kick out to a teammate.  He hit a three pointer too.  He is a fine looking prospect.

Javon McCrea (2010, 6-2 PG/SG)
Javon's most impressive play was a dunk after a feed.  It showed the athletic ability of this big man.  He has a nice set of hands and had a few other nice finishes around the rim too.  He was productive off the bench for this squad.

Alex Francis (2010, 6-7 SF/PF)
Alex made a couple plays.  He had a beautiful drive and scoop finish.  He drove left on another play and dished the ball off.  He also had a nice follow up in transition.  Alex pulled down quite a few rebounds too.

NJ Elite

Tyrone Johnson (2011, 5-11 PG)
Tyrone was virtually unstoppable in the early playoff win.  He was getting into the lane with such ease and finishing at will.  He has terrific quickness, but also plays under control.  He hit a fine scoop shot among his baskets.  Tyrone converted both in halfcourt sets and while running the floor.  He even had the pull up game going as he buried several jumpers.  He dished it off for a couple assists too.  Tyrone controlled the game from start to finish and gave Jonny Flynn's squad all kinds of fits.  He had an outstanding game for NJ Elite.

Derrick Gordan (2011, 6-3 SG)  committed to Western Kentucky
Derrick hadn't played well the last few times we saw him.  That changed in this one though as he put together a fine game.  He ran the floor very well and uses his quickness to finish in transition.  He kicked the ball out after another drive.  Derrick attacked often in the game.  He played well in the win.

Kelvin Amayo (2010, 6-2 PG/SG)
Kelvin is a guard with a nice combination of size and quickness.  He ran the floor and made some plays in transition.  He had a good pass on the break after a steal.  Kelvin had a couple of drives to the hoop as well.  He setup his teammates with good passes from time to time too.

Mid State Magic

Kyler Gregory (2010, 6-7 SF/PF)
Kyler is a very big wing player.  He really impressed us with his shooting ability.  We were only able to catch the second half of the contest, but in that time Kyler hit three shots from beyond the arc.  He possesses a smooth stroke and with that size he is tough to stop.  He didn't look to attack much.  He is also pretty thin and does need to get stronger.

Brennan Wyatt (2010, 5-10 PG)
Brennan is a small, but quick lead guard.  He's a good change of direction ball handler who often uses the crossover move.  In a big win, he hit a runner in the lane to give his team the lead.  He also converted on a three pointer and was fouled on another attempt.  It was a solid day for Brennan.

Ryan Henderson (2010, 6-6 PF)
Ryan is a strong power forward.  Because of that, he finishes well around the rim.  Among his buckets was a reverse after pulling down a rebound.  He also hit a post hook shot after a spin move.  Ryan is quick and doesn't hesitate when going at the hoop.

Team Phenom

Devin Coleman (2011, 6-4 SG/SF)
Devin had a couple solid outings in the playoffs.  The lefty had a beautiful drive with his right hand in which he converted around the hoop.  He also finished with contact after a feed from a teammate.  He made the free throw for an old fashioned three point play.  Devin hit a three pointer as well.  It wasn't his best day, but Devin still played well.

Jabril Trawick (2011, 6-1 SG)
Jabril is an attacking gaurd with good size who also finishes well.  He scored twice when fouled.  One ended up in an old fashioned three point play.  Another was a runner, but the free throw was missed.  Jabril attacks well with his left hand.  From the outside he hit a pull up jumper in this fine outing.

Joey Gripper (2011, 5-11 PG)
This quick lead guard had a solid outing.  Joey is quick with the ball in his hands and he changes directions in a hurry.  He doesn't waste dribbles.  He runs the floor and will push the ball.  Joey makes good decisions with the ball and will setup his teammates with some good passes.  He can also hit some from the outside.  He buried a pull up three pointer and a pull up jumper after first going to his left.

DC Assault Blue 16s

Brian Akinkagbe (2011, 6-7 PF/C)
Brian is a long armed forward.  He banked home a nice shots on the inside.  Most of his work was on the glass though.  Brian does need to get stronger.

Team Takeover 16s

Denny McDonald (2011, 6-7 SF/PF)
Denny had a solid game in the close victory.  He finished inside on several occasions, including on a bank shot after a spin move in the post.  He moves pretty well too.  Denny was quiet from the perimeter though.

Grandy Graze (2011, 6-6 220 SF/PF)
Grandy is a strong wing who loves to play the power game.  He's tough to defend inside.  He converted on several putbacks.  Grandy had a nice drive and finish play too.  He finished with contact and a foul.  He had a good set of hands as well.  Grandy looks to have a bright future.

Muzher Mirza (2010, 5-10 PG)
Muzher provided to be a dead eye shooter.  He buried three shots from beyond the arc and one of them was of the pull up variety.