Hoop Mountain - Day 1 Recap

by Adam Blake | Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Hoop Mountain kicked off their 29th annual Elite Prospect Camp today at Roger Williams University and continued to attract talented players from a wide geographic range as campers made their way to Rhode Island from as far away as Canada and Australia.

The camp boasts an impressive coaching staff consisting of coaches from six different division II programs from the Northeast 10 Conference (Franklin Pierce, Adelphia, St. Michael’s, Stonehill, Merrimack and Assumption) as well as others schools including Babson, Bates, Norwich, Roger Williams and Dominican along with local prep school programs like Worcester Academy, Williston Northampton, Bradford Christian Academy and the Groton School. Ballas TV is also on hand to film all of the action.

The camp itself features a Team Camp style component with local prep programs like St. Andrew’s, Worcester and Williston all playing together this week as well as six time AAU national champion BABC.

Worcester was the most dominant team on day one utilizing the frontcourt trio of Jesse Wimms, James Wells and Kevin Marfo to overpower their opposition while Williston Northampton also showed well behind the fourseom of Jake Ross, Kyle Doucette, Matt Folger and Jake Wisniewski.

The game of the day was arguably a hard fought and chippy battle between BABC’s 16u team and a squad consisting of players mostly from the Bay State Magic AAU program. The lead went back and forth with 15-20 lead changed until a Javaughn Edmonds three-pointer gave BABC a 63-60 advantage with just 4 seconds remaining. It was nonetheless an impressive showing from the Magic though who got good production from three aggressive and talented post players in Mike Mahoney (6'8 Braintree High School), Christian Hon (6'7 Randolph High School), and Rodney Simon (6'7 Randolph High School) while Nick Timberlake and Ryan Morrissey led the way from the backcourt. Morrissey is a scrappy point guard with great vision in the open court, that establishes a fast paced tempo and creates havoc on the defensive end.

Some of the other shining stars of the first day of camp included:

Nate Duda (6'5, St. Andrews School) – Versatile athlete that can do it all on the offensive end, Duda took over during one stretch, flying all over the court and attacking the basket.

Omar Jules (6'0, Match Charter Public School) – Lighting quick combo guard with a great handle in the open court that can get in the lane at will and finish strong around the basket.  

Shannon Brown (5'10, Beaver Country Day) – Perhaps the most impressive point guard on the day Shandon plays at a fast tempo with a tenacious mindset that is usually unmatched and demonstrates a maturity level and leadership style that is beyond his years as just a rising sophomore.

Sammy Friday (6’8, St. Andrew’s) – Dominant post player that will not be stopped if he catches the ball 5 feet from the basket, but will also step outside and drain the 3 from deep.

Jake Ross (6'5, Williston Northampton) - A strong, aggressive, athletic guard that will shoot from outside but also get into the lane and use his explosion to rise over you. Ross had a few thunderous dunks today.

Trey Witter (6'2, St Thomas More) – A natural point guard that controls the tempo and makes everyone around him better, Witter also has the ability to take over a game with his crafty playmaking abilities, deep 3 point range and ability to play pick and roll.  

Terell Williams (6'4, Bridewater Raynham ) - A slashing, athletic lefty swingman that can get into the lane on anyone and finish above the rim, Williams can also shoot in the mid-range and is great finishing in transition off the pass. He played above the rim to throw down a couple of monster dunks while using his length on the glass as well.

Jude Gurrier (6'6 Lexinton Christian Academy) – He has a power body at 6’6 but will beat you with his smooth touch around the basket and ability to knock down the mid-range jumper. He will also create his own shot and convert on the majority when given the ball on the block in an ISO situation.

James Jean Marie (6'6) and Mathias Adam Traore (6'5) (Montrael Quebec , Jeanne- Mance School) - Two extremely athletic, versatile, and somewhat dominant players from Canada. Each stand at 6'6 and play a brand of basketball that far exceeds any expectations of a freshman.

Javaughn Edmonds (6'4 , Thayer Academy , BABC) – Probably the most impressive player overall today,  this quick smooth lefty delivered clutch shot after clutch shot with his quick release, and plays each possession with a lot of effort and fire. 

Jaylin Hinton (6'3 , BABC) – Long, athletic, explosive and versatile swingman that has an inside out game and can do it all offensively. He had the play of the day on a fast break, getting into the lane and rising up and throwing down a monster dunk over two defenders.

Eli Degrande ( 6'7 , Essex Junction , VT) - This 6'7 power post player has a solid mid rand jumper, good touch around the rim, and will go strong to the rim and finish with a dunk.

Nicholas Osarenren (6'5 , BABC) – A strong and athletic power player that will rise up and dunk on a whole defense if you give him any room. Great around the rim and really gets after it on the glass. A tough nosed player that will go at anyone. The kind of player you want on your team and can never have enough of.

Terrell Brown (5'11, Brooks School) - A combo guard that can do it all on offense. He can beat you from deep or penetrating and getting into the lane.