The ninth annual Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase, sponsored by the Colorado Chaos Basketball Club was aptly named this year, as it felt like fall in the Denver metro area, where the event was held, with snow falling from the sky for the first time in the fall season as the all-star hoop games went down.
The four games featured players from each of the Centennial state high school classes, with freshmen to senior age groups represented. The showcase was held at Legend High School, in the Denver suburb of Parker. Hoopniks took in all four games games, and saw a dozen or more D-1 prospects in attendance.
Some of the event standouts included:
Josh Scott, 6′-10″, C, 2012, Lewis Palmer (CO): It’s not always easy to evaluate post prospects at high school basketball events, as worthy competitors often are not immediately available to match-up. That was not a problem for Scott in this event, as the Colorado commit faced off against two early D-1 post pledges, Austin Haldorson (Wyoming) and Kalieb Rodriguez (California). To say Scott passed the test would be an understatement. The fundamentally sound post prospect dominated the glass and interior, and got the better of Haldorson and Rodriguez, when matched up against the two during the game. Scott dominated the glass, and got to the free throw stripe with regularity through hard work and motor on the offensive end. Scott converted his free throw opportunities, and crashed the glass on both ends of the floor. While not a terrific athlete, he has a constant motor and competes. Scott played extremely well in this game and though he can improve his strength and athleticism, he’s likely to solve the lack of a true post player problem that the Buffaloes have had in recent years. With 46 points and 20 rebounds, Scott was the obvious selection as most outstanding player in the senior game.
Wesley Gordon, 6′-8″, PF, 2012, Sierra (CO): Teamed with his future college teammate at Colorado, Josh Scott, Gordon was outstanding as well in the senior game. He’s probably closer to a “4″ at this stage in his development, but is a good athlete and can defend both forward positions. Gordon is stronger than he looks, and has a nose for the ball. When the basketball is free near him, he finds a way to grab ahold of it. Near and around the paint, Gordon converts at a high percentage, oftentimes with a strong dunk. Gordon didn’t showcase deep range on his jump shot, and is most effective near the hoop at the offensive end. He rebounds well, is a good all-around player, and has a flair for making plays when they are needed in the game.
Carlton Hurst, 6′-3″, SG, 2013, Aurora Central (CO): To say that Hurst dominated the junior game would be an understatement. He stuffed the stat sheet, accruing 37 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. To cap off that statistical performance, Hurst hit two free throws to extend his team’s lead and ice the game to ensure a two point win. Hurst showed a shooting range that extended to the mid-range, and has a very good combination of athleticism and strength. He has better than expected bounce, and can flush with little room or in traffic. He has a variety of offensive moves near the hoop, utilizing head fakes and moving well without the ball to create scoring opportunities. He has a constant motor, and never stopped attacking throughout the contest. Also active on the defensive end, Hurst was head and shoulders above anyone in the junior game, and showed a unique skillset that should have mid-majors and above tracking his development.
Dominique Collier, 6′-1″, PG, 2014, Denver East (CO): After starting slow, Collier heated up and showed a game in the second half that was indicative of his status as a nationally ranked prospect in the sophomore class. He’s a rangy guard that can shoot the three, but is most effective creating opportunities off the dribble, and moving the ball to teammates in scoring positions. He’s a great passer and has active hands on defense. Collier shot better as the game went along, and has the versatility to both get to the basket, and hit jump shots from mid-range and beyond. While his team came up short in the sophomore game, Collier was terrific in the fourth quarter, running together a string of blocked shots, assists, rebounds and scoring plays in crunch time. This event should prove to be a solid tune-up for Collier, who is expected to participate in the USA Basketball Developmental National Team mini-camp next weekend.
Josh Perkins, 6′-2″, PG, 2014, Regis (CO): The Most Outstanding Player selection in the sophomore game, Perkins is a well-built, strong lead guard. He’s physically above his grade level, and has good speed and ballhandling ability. Perkins is still refining his game on the offensive end, but has good court vision and found difficult passing seams that often led to conversions on the offensive end. A good all-around player, Perkins showed flashes of being very good on the defensive end, with a good combination of lateral quickness, basketball IQ and strength.
Deron Davis, 6′-7″, PF, 2016, Denver East (CO): While it’s not fair to place huge expectations on middle school age players, it’s also hard not to envision the potential that Davis possess in his game. Only an 8th grader, Davis has a terrific package for a young post player. He runs the floor and is athletic. He showed improved and reliable post moves, albeit against smaller defenders. Davis has good hands, and had a variety of smart and smooth passes to set up his teammates for easy buckets. Davis can convert with a dunk when near the hoop, and also is able to put the ball on the floor when needed. He’s clearly a precocious prospect at this stage, and there can’t be many players in his age group better at his position, for now.
Others that caught our eye:
- Jalen Little, 5′-10″, PG, 2012, Sierra (CO)
- Austin Haldorson, 6′-9″, 2012, Highlands Ranch (CO)
- Brandon Cosby-Lee, 6′-6″, PF, 2013, Grandview (CO)
- Chase Foster, 6′-5″, SF, 2014, Valor Christian (CO)
- Tyree Robinson, 6′-5″, PF, 2014, Denver East (CO)
- Treyvon Andres, 6′-5″, SF, 2014, Thomas Jefferson (CO)
- Chris Moody, 6′-5″, PF, 2015, Chaparral (CO)
- DeShawn Wilson, 6′-1″, SG, 2017, Sierra (CO)
Related posts:
October 9, 2011
Event Reports