CT Top 50 Invitational Clinic Event Recap
Chris Prescott, Mike Moore, Charoy Bentley, and TJ Robinson were all in the University of Bridgeport gym on Tuesday night. While all four solidified their status as top players in the CIAC it was newcomer Jeron Belin who may have proved that he belongs in the same group.
Belin, a 6’6 senior wing player from Maloney High School in Meriden, first caught the attention of the fans and coaches sitting courtside with a variety of explosive dunks in transition. In addition to being exceptionally athletic, Belin also showed a decent skill set by knocking down three pointers and taking his defender off the dribble.
6’2 junior Prescott, from Northwest Catholic HS, was his usual self showing why he may be the best point guard in the state as a junior. Even in a showcase type setting where the vast majority of players were taking every opportunity to go one on one, Prescott was distributing the ball and creating shots for his teammates, in addition to showing off his shooting range and much improved first step.
6’5 senior shooting-guard Moore had a very productive summer and it seems to be carrying over into the school year. Moore, who will be the first option on a Hillhouse team that will attempt to repeat as Connecticut state champions this year, was as smooth as ever off the dribble and with his mid-range game.
6’1 senior guard Bentley from Harding HS was very efficient with the basketball. He appeared noticeably beefed up having added a good deal of muscle to his frame and made some shots behind the three-point line in addition to showing a good touch in the mid-range area.
Robinson, a 6’6 senior forward from Kolbe Cathedral, teamed with Belin to lead the most dominant team in the event. Robinson was active defensively and on the glass trying to get easy baskets. Otherwise, he was definitely at his best in transition because of his ability to run the floor and finish on the break.
A number of other players also played well on Tuesday night. Zach Dugas, a 6’2 junior point guard from St. Luke’s, followed up on his big performance at the IS8 league in New York on Sunday with another good performance tonight. He was explosive off the dribble and also showed good range on his jumper. 5’7 sophomore point guard Lenzie Harrison from Danbury HS was also very good off the dribble attacking in transition and in the half court set.
A trio of athletic wing players in Chris Murrell (6’2, Senior, Hillhouse HS), Kabeya Kabongo (6’5, junior, St. Luke’s), and Johnny Stovall (6’4, forward, Harding HS) were all similarly impressive with their intensity, athleticism, and penetration.
Big men Broderick Sawyer (6’6, senior, McMahon HS) and Pete Banos (6’10, junior, Christian Heritage) were both solid on the interior. Sawyer showed a strong body with a wide frame that he could add even more muscle too while Banos demonstrated a high basketball I.Q. and a very soft touch around the basket.
The Top 50 Clinic is a two day event and will start up again tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Chris Prescott
Jeron Belin
Charoy Bentley
Pete Banos
Mike Moore
Kabeya Kabongo
Zach Dugas
Lenzie Harrison