CT Top 50 Clinic – Event Recap

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Monday, September 22nd, 2008

The Connecticut Top 50 Clinic is a two day showcase that always features the state’s best talent.  The showcase is run by two of the state’s most respected high school coaches in Windsor’s Ken Smith and Harding’s Charlie Bentley.  Not only does that mean that the event is well organized, but it also means that the players really get after it and compete for the full three hours. 

Here is a look at the players who shined on Tuesday night:

The Big Names

Daryl McCoy – As always, the Hartford Public big man shows flashes of brilliance.  Every time he rips a rebound out of the air and pushes the ball up the floor himself he tantalizes you with glimpses of his potential.  If he can ever put it all together on a consistent basis he will be a very good player. 

Steven Samuels – The Windsor guard surprised no one by once again going to work in the open floor.  With no division I coaches allowed to be in attendance, Samuels had little to prove, so he had a little fun with some behind the back and alley-oop passes.  That wasn’t to say he wasn’t effective as he was perhaps the best overall player in the gym. 

Adrian Satchell – Samuels running mate at Windsor isn’t flashy but he is super efficient.  He always seems to find himself at the right place at the right time and consequently able to score points in bunches around the basket. 

Dominique Langston – The Kolbe Cathedral product is a power guard who goes hard to the rim and finishes through contact with good body control.  After falling in the state championship game last season, he looks poised to lead Kolbe on another run. 

Tavon Allen – The most notable thing about Allen was the fact that he has shot up 4 or 5 inches in the last few months to now stand a legit 6’6” by our estimation.  With tremendous size and length along with a high motor and his ambidextrous skills his upside is tremendous. 

Danny Lawhorn – He still has the occasional battle with consistency and decision making, but his speed and instincts in the open floor simply allow him to do things that others aren’t capable of. 

The Sleepers

Brandon Sherrod – The power forward probably got more done on Tuesday night than any other player in the gym.  He scored with both hands around the basket, rebounded the ball tenaciously, and even dove on the floor for loose balls.  Take into account a big and strong body and he has definite scholarship potential. 

Doug Soutar – He’s always a top notch defender, but he showed some things on the offensive end tonight at well.  He made a couple of quick drives to the basket immediately after the catch and even knocked down a three-point shot from the top of the key. 

Steven Roberts – A 6’6” senior big man who is long and athletic with a high motor.  No one worked harder guarding the post tonight than he did as he battled for position, communicated, and went after every loose ball.  He also got some things done on the offensive end showing a nice touch from 12 feet and in. 

Vic Anderson – He didn’t play on the AAU circuit this summer and so some people might have forgotten about him.  He was obviously determined to make an impact Tuesday and while he would have benefited from letting the game come to him a little bit more, his big time bounce and talent were obvious to those looking on. 

Isiah Salafia – The junior from Cromwell high school shined on the defensive end of the floor where he locked up the opposing ball-handler all night long.  Offensively, he was productive by getting to the rim in one dribble from the three-point line and also getting out in transition. 

Jim Hock – Watch closely and you’ll see this 6’5” senior big man from Notre Dame High School (Fairfield, CT) is a future college player.  He blocks out every time the ball goes up, finishes quickly inside with both hands, can make an elbow jumper, and has a good understanding for the game. 

Tyrus Weaver – Another Windsor product who shined, Weaver’s skills are really beginning to shine through on the offensive end of the floor.  He swishes multiple balls from behind the three-point line and also scored with his mid-range pull-up after getting his defender off balance with a little shake. 

The Youngsters

Fred Wilson – The Hillhouse guard led the way for the underclassmen as he was making plays consistently throughout the night.  He didn’t need to score a ton of points to be effective as he combined his tight handle and court vision to hand out a variety of assists in the open floor. 

Darryl Best Jr., Kevin Hoff, Kevin Rivers, Drew Crudup, and Brandyn Benson – This is quite a five man unit that Career has in their sophomore class.  While some were better than others tonight, this group should be among the state’s best before their careers come to a close. 

Oscar Assie, Timajh Parker, James Jennings – St. Joseph’s had their own contingent of talented young players on hand as each member of this trio all shined at various points.  Assie (sophomore) and Parker (freshman) should form a talented 1-2 interior punch for many years to come while Jennings is a super quick and fearless point guard.