Providence Jam Fest - Day 1 Recap
With two wins on Saturday at the Providence Jam Fest hosted by Rhode Island College, arguably no other 17u division team performed better than the Springfield, MA-based Westside Terriers. The undermanned squad (only six players dressed) – led by Joe Crapps and Sha-Kim Grant – spearheaded a 30-point blowout win against CT Northstars in the first round, before eking out a one-point, double-overtime upset victory over Team Frenji (NY) in round two.
The duo of Crapps and Grant also headlined some of the day’s top individual performances in the 17u division:
Joe Crapps – Westside Terriers – The 5-foot-10 guard out of New Leadership Charter School (Springfield) remains uncommitted for next fall, but his strong showing just might have caught the attention of a D2 or D3 college coach or two. Defensively, Crapps was very active. Despite his diminutive size, his developed physique allowed him to successfully match-up against taller players in man or create havoc at the top of the Terriers’ three-quarters court pressure zone. He created turnovers by jumping the passing lanes and also combining with teammates to pressure the opponents’ primary ball hander, which generated easy transition scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. In space, Crapps’ quickness and deft passing shined. He threw down numerous one-handed dunks or found teammates over-the-top for uncontested buckets. When the pace slowed, Crapps’ offensive arsenal expanded to include 10-12 foot pull-up jumpers, teardrops from inside the paint, layup finishes after contact and deep three-pointers. Crapps was the Terriers go-to player whenever they needed a basket.
Sha-Kim Grant – Westside Terriers – Another unsigned senior, Grant – an athletic and long lefty combo-guard who played at Springfield High School of Science and Technology – first turned heads by knocking down a handful of corner and wing three-pointers. With a herky-jerky handle, the southpaw also consistently freed up his left hand for open jump shots as well as drives for uncontested dunks, crafty layups or soft floaters over lingering shot blockers. His shots were never forced; they always came within the flow of the offense. Despite Grant’s slender frame, he hit the defensive and offensive boards with surprising tenacity, an effort helped in part by his extraordinary vertical.
Abdul Shanun – NY Dream Team – At 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, the sophomore from Redemption Christian Academy impressed with his length and freak athleticism. On more than one occasion, the lean power forward swooped in from the weak side to emphatically swat away an unaware opponents’ layup attempt. Shanun’s fantastic jumping abilities and quickness were also complimented by his proper boxing out technique, something that will inevitably endear him to any coach at any level. With an offensive game that currently consists mostly of put-backs, tip-ins and thunderous dunks, Shanun’s repertoire will have to further expand as he adds weight and muscle.
Chris Boucher – QC United – Boucher helped lead QC to two wins on Saturday, including a second round 38-point blowout over Team 10 in which he totaled 30 points. The long and slender 6-foot-10 Canadian was consistently QC’s best offensive player. He knocked down open 15-footers, converted fast break dunks and cleaned up the offensive boards with tip-ins. Boucher was everywhere on the court. Offensively, his ability to continually move in the interior during half court sets seemed to make him a challenging matchup for many of the slower, less athletic, big men he faced. While the Alma Academy product will need to add strength, he must do so without sacrificing the speed and quickness that gives him a decided advantage against opponents.
Brian Donahue – South Shore Wolfpack – On a squad that includes five Cardinal Spellman players, Donahue, a 6-foot-3 junior who is also a Pilot, stuck out for his sound play on pick and rolls and pick and pops. A solid screen setter, the undersized four showed excellent hands and a soft touch around the basket whether rolling or popping. Besides knocking down 10-15-footers, Donahue also displayed a crafty ability to score off glass. He kissed numerous runners, layups and baby hooks from all angles. When his own attempts missed, Donahue’s non-stop motor and workmanlike approach put him in position for the offensive board, and a textbook gather and finish with the ball above his head. Whatever Donahue lacked athletically, he more than made up for with solid fundamentals on Saturday.
Josh Williams – Move Your Feet – At first, the 6-foot-6 senior from Notre Dame (NJ) turned heads with his quick ups and highlight reel dunks. But Williams’ also showcased a number of other skills that make him a compelling talent. Beyond getting to the rim, Williams converted 15-18 footers from everywhere on the perimeter. A North-South directional player, Williams dribbling ability, while not flashy, allowed him to get wherever he wanted on the court with as little wasted movement as possible. It’s perhaps the greatest testament to his athletic abilities. Williams will need to add muscle in the coming months, but his unselfish game – he gave up a handful of open court dunks so that teammates could score – will undoubtedly win over whoever plays alongside him next season.
Matt Staubi – Team Frenji – The undersized 5-foot-8 junior point guard from Rye Country Day School (CT) played with toughness and grit well-beyond his physical stature. A pass-first ball handler, Staubi was repeatedly faced back court defensive pressure from athletically superior opponents. Yet his smart and savvy usage of angles, teammates’ screens and his own body often allowed him to outmaneuver these obstacles. Staubi also showed big shot ability by draining a game-tying three-pointer against the Westside Terriers with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation. And while his midrange shots weren’t falling as much as he probably would have liked, the combination of Staubi’s on-court leadership, toughness and high basketball IQ make him a potentially intriguing D3 prospect.
Chima Azuonwu – Team Frenji – From a sheer size standpoint, there was no player more noticeable on Saturday than the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Azuonwu. The junior from Archbishop Stepinac High School (White Plains, NY) repeatedly clogged the lane making it a challenge for opponents looking to drive and finish at the rim. Offensively, most of Azuonwu’s points came from thunderous dunks generated off of offensive rebounds. His free throw attempts also revealed a soft touch, albeit a stroke that will need to be reworked if he is to become a more consistent shooter. Despite Azuonwu’s limited number of touches, his impact on the game was undeniable.
Paul Lazdowski can be followed on Twitter @PrepBallInsider
Joe Crapps
Matt Staubi
Chima Azuonwu
Josh Williams