June 23-27, 2002
Georgetown, KY
©2002 by Ron Harrison
The 23rd Annual Cage Scope/High Potential "Blue-Chip" Basketball Camp was held in Georgetown, Kentucky at Georgetown College.
The camp directors for this camp are Dave Bones (Cage Scope) and Rick Bolus (High Potential). These two gentlemen have a total of 74 years experience in the business between them. Dave Bones introduced Cage Scope to the world in 1957. Mr. Bones has been a contributor to many periodicals as well as being featured in innumerable newspapers and magazines. Rick Bolus started the Rick Bolus High Potential Basketball Recruiting Service in 1973. Mr. Bolus is a consultant for several national basketball tournaments and shootouts and several of the top college programs in the country are among his subscribers. Many scouting/recruiting services have entered and left the business over the past few years. These gentlemen have withstood the test of time.
There are three sessions this year: June 23-27, July 7-11, and July 21-25. The first session includes a Junior division. This report will cover the June 23-27 session and I will file a report on each camp upon completion. Each session also features speakers on recruiting, academics, and basketball. Some NBA alumni of this camp include Jimmy Jackson, Allen Houston, Rex Chapman, Felton Spencer, and Darren Hancock. All players also receive mini-clinics. There are mini-clinics for guards, big men, and 3-point shooters. There are also optional competition contests as well as a written evaluation from the camper’s league coach.
Each Senior division player also plays a minimum of ten league games (Junior
division plays a minimum of six league games) and all league games are played
full-court. All players receive
equal playing time as substitutions are done by the clock. Certified
trainers are on duty at all times.
There were eight teams entered in this division. They were designated Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The standings for the week are as follows: Texas (6-0), Virginia (5-1), Wyoming (4-2), Tennessee (4-2), Utah (3-3), West Virginia (1-5), Wisconsin (1-5), and Washington (0-6). Please note that the low scores of the playoff games in both divisions are the result of the games being shortened after a strenuous week and to allow the players to compete in the All-Star game. Tennessee defeated Texas 22-21 in one playoff semifinal and Virginia defeated Wyoming 21-19 in the other semifinal game. Tennessee defeated Virginia 30-28 to claim the junior division championship. Tennessee was led by final four MVP 6-0 Fr. Josh Kight from Sellersburg, Indiana. The runner-up MVP from the Virginia team was 6-2 Fr. Brennen Grubbs from Stuart, Florida.
The Junior "Blue Chip" All-Star rosters are as follows:
Cage Scope All-Stars (White) Coach Francis Distefano (Shepherdsville, Kentucky)
|
David Allison |
5-9 |
Fr. |
Stuart South Park |
FL |
|
Eric Meister |
6-4 |
Fr. |
State College Area |
PA |
|
Adam Barr |
5-11 |
Fr. |
Shelbyville East |
KY |
|
Chris Taylor |
5-10 |
Fr. |
Logan Twp. Logan |
NJ |
|
Chuck McCoy |
5-10 |
Fr. |
Woodstock Etowah |
GA |
|
Jeremy Anderson |
6-0 |
8th |
Bowling Green Warren Central |
KY |
|
Josh Kight |
6-0 |
Fr. |
Sellersburg Silver Creek |
IN |
|
Jared Comer |
6-0 |
Fr. |
Scottsburg |
IN |
|
Cam Thoroughman |
6-2 |
Fr. |
South Shore McKell Middle |
KY |
|
Matt Shanks |
6-1 |
Fr. |
Woodstock Etowah |
GA |
|
Jayce Long |
5-10 |
Fr. |
West Paducah Heath |
KY |
High Potential All-Stars (Green) Coach Mark Willard (Lake Odessa, MI)
|
Chase Futrell |
5-7 |
Fr. |
Murray Calloway County |
KY |
|
Devon Moore |
5-4 |
7th |
Columbus Monroe Middle |
OH |
|
Bryan Hatton |
5-3 |
Fr. |
Lexington Dunbar |
KY |
|
Tyler Portwood |
5-9 |
7th |
Georgetown Middle |
KY |
|
Austin Kilpatrick |
6-4 |
Fr. |
Edgewood Edgemont J. H. |
WV |
|
Brennen Grubbs |
6-2 |
Fr. |
Stuart South Fork |
FL |
|
Chase Moore |
6-1 |
8th |
New Iberia Assembly Christian |
LA |
|
Dan Lewis |
6-3 |
Fr. |
State College Area |
PA |
|
Terry Wagner |
6-0 |
Fr. |
Patton Meadow Hts. |
MO |
|
Ryan Oakley |
6-1 |
Fr. |
Lexington Dunbar |
KY |
The Cage Scope All-Stars won this game by a score of 83-73. They were led by All-Star Game MVP 6-2 Cam Thoroughman with 17 points. 6-4 Eric Meister, 5-9 David Allison, and 6-0 Jeremy Anderson added 15, 13 and 13 points respectively. The High Potential All-Stars were led by All-Star Game Runner-Up MVP 5-3 Bryan Hatton with 11 points and an excellent floor game. 6-3 Dan Lewis, 6-2 Brennen Grubbs, and 5-4 Devon Moore added 11, 11, and 10 points respectively. Matt Shanks did not participate due to an injury. Chuck McCoy and Austin Kilpatrick did not play due to prior travel arrangements.
This camp gives out several awards over the week session. The awards for the Junior Division are:
|
Free Throw Champ - Guard |
Tyler Wolfenbarker |
South Shore McKell |
KY |
|
Free Throw Champ - Post |
Jordan Basham |
Scottsburg |
IN |
|
Hot Shot Champ: - Guard |
Tyler Wolfenbarker |
South Shore McKell |
KY |
|
Hot Shot Champ: - Post |
Ryan Laswell |
Madison |
IN |
|
3-Pt. Shooting Champ - Guard |
Leroy Williams |
Elida |
OH |
|
3-Pt. Shooting Champ - Post |
Ryan Laswell |
Madison |
IN |
|
Most Improved |
Jeffrey Jefferson |
Cypress Arnold |
CA |
|
Best Ballhandler |
Darryl Smith |
Harrodsburg King |
KY |
|
Best Passer |
Joseph Jakubowski |
Rossford |
OH |
|
Best Defensive Player |
Quinton Harris |
Columbus Johnson Park |
OH |
|
Best Rebounder |
Nick Haywood |
South Shore McKell |
KY |
|
Best Hustler |
Ryan Boggess |
Sellersburg Silver Creek |
IN |
|
Best Station Worker |
Eric Bonanni |
Cypress Lexington |
CA |
|
Final Four MVP |
Josh Kight |
Sellersburg Silver Creek |
IN |
|
Final Four Runner Up MVP |
Brennen Grubbs |
Stuart South Fork |
FL |
|
League MVP |
Eric Meister |
State College Area |
PA |
|
League Runner Up MVP |
Chuck McCoy |
Woodstock Etowah |
GA |
|
All-Star Game MVP |
Cam Thoroughman |
South Shore McKell Middle |
KY |
|
All-Star Game Runner Up MVP |
Bryan Hatton |
Lexington Dunbar |
KY |
Junior Division
Summary
6-4 Eric Meister from State College Area, PA won the league MVP and also
scored 15 points in the All-Star game.
6-2 Cam Thoroughman was the All-Star Game MVP and possesses a
nice touch both inside and out. Thoroughman
is always around the ball and gets a lot of “hustle” points. 5-3 Bryan Hatton proves there is
still a place for a small man in basketball. He is an excellent floor general and will find the open
man. Two of the smallest players
in camp, 4-8 Jeffrey Jefferson and 4-9 Eric Bonanni traveled from
California for this camp and both received awards.
There were twelve teams entered in the Cage Scope Division. They were designated Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, and Kentucky. The standings for the week were as follows: Alabama (8-2), Arizona (8-2), Arkansas (8-2), Connecticut (6-4), Florida (5-5), Iowa (5-5), Illinois (4-6), Kansas (4-6), Kentucky (3-7), Georgia (3-7), California* (3-6) and Indiana (1-9).
There were twelve teams entered in the High Potential Division. They were designated Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and South Carolina. The standings for the week were as follows: South Carolina (9-1), New Mexico (9-1), Missouri (9-1), Ohio (8-2), North Carolina* (6-3), Michigan (5-5), Oregon (5-5), Nevada (3-7), Montana (2-8), Maryland (2-8), Minnesota (1-9), and Mississippi (1-9).
*California and North Carolina played an additional game but due to the game having no effect on the playoff standings I was unable to get the result before the start of the playoff schedule.
Arkansas defeated Alabama 21-20 in a playoff game and then defeated Arizona 23-22 in a semifinal matchup. South Carolina defeated New Mexico 21-15 in a playoff game but then lost 27-12 to Missouri in the second semifinal game. Missouri claimed the championship with a 25-24 victory over Arkansas as 6-4 Demetrius Guions calmly hit two free throws after the buzzer. The Final Four MVP was 6-5 Sr. Andre Woodson from Radliff, Kentucky. The Runner-Up MVP from the Arkansas team was 5-9 Reiley Ervin from Memphis, Tennessee.
The "Blue-Chip" Top All-Star rosters are as follows:
Cage Scope All-Stars (White) Coach Gene McBee (Columbia State Community College)
|
Bobby Beshears |
6-6 |
Jr. |
Winchester |
IN |
|
Tory Meagher |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Louisville St. Xavier |
KY |
|
Casey Holt |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Culleoka |
TN |
|
Sekoe White |
6-3 |
Jr. |
Lexington Dunbar |
KY |
|
Jarrett Jones |
5-10 |
Jr. |
Henderson Chester County |
TN |
|
Russ Gibson |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Henderson Henderson County |
KY |
|
Reginald Bates |
6-5 |
Sr. |
Chicago Hubbard |
IL |
|
Courtney Horton |
6-2 |
Jr. |
Chicago George Washington |
IL |
|
Shane Simpkins |
6-0 |
Jr. |
Paintsville |
KY |
|
Steven Kidd |
5-9 |
Sr. |
Sandy Hook Elliott County |
KY |
|
Travis Strong |
6-2 |
Sr. |
Memphis White Station |
TN |
|
Ryan Merchant |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Dallas Hillcrest |
TX |
|
Eric Klope |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Benton Christian Fellowship |
KY |
|
Jeremy Bloomfield |
6-5 |
Sr. |
Lilburn Parkview |
GA |
|
Robert Allen |
5-8 |
Sr. |
Selma |
AL |
|
Reiley Ervin |
5-9 |
Jr. |
Memphis White Station |
TN |
High Potential All-Stars (Green) Coach Bill Kercher (Louisville, KY)
|
Albert Reese |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Hillside Provisio West |
IL |
|
Sean Gary |
6-2 |
Sr. |
Delaware Buckeye Valley |
OH |
|
Demetrius Guions |
6-4 |
Jr. |
Radcliff North Hardin |
KY |
|
Adam Sullivan |
6-4 |
Jr. |
Green Bay Preble |
WI |
|
Andre Woodson |
6-5 |
Sr. |
Radcliff North Hardin |
KY |
|
Aaron Greassman |
6-8 |
CF* |
Asheville |
NC |
|
Chris Commons |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Toledo Central Catholic |
OH |
|
Travis Meeks |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Batavia |
IL |
|
Robert Broughton |
6-5 |
Jr. |
Elizabethtown |
KY |
|
Thomas Porter |
5-9 |
Jr. |
Louisville Trinity |
KY |
|
K. B. Fulks |
6-2 |
Sr. |
Radcliff North Hardin |
KY |
|
C. J. Johnson |
5-9 |
Jr. |
Toledo St. Francis DeSales |
OH |
|
Russell Miller |
6-1 |
Sr. |
Louisville Eastern |
KY |
|
Eric Gerding |
6-3 |
Sr. |
LaPorte |
IN |
|
Jake Meisler |
6-6 |
Jr. |
Castalia Margaretta |
OH |
|
|
||||
|
Alternate for either team: |
||||
|
Ryan Ridder |
6-0 |
Sr. |
Daytona Beach Father Lopez |
FL |
*CF designates a rising college freshman
The Cage Scope All-Stars won this high octane thriller as 6-3 Sekoe White hit a field goal and free throw down the stretch to give his team a 131-130 victory. All-Star Game MVP 5-9 Steven Kidd led the Cage Scope All-Stars with 31 points including five three point baskets. 6-3 Sekoe White and 5-9 Reiley Ervin added 21 and 19 points respectively. Ervin also nailed five long range three pointers. 6-7 Russ Gibson and 6-3 Reginald Bates added 14 points each. 5-9 Thomas Porter led the High Potential All-Stars with 18 points. 6-4 Demetrius Guions was named All-Star Game Runner-Up MVP and scored 13 points. Guions is a “sky walker” and entertained the crowd with a couple of acrobatic dunks. 6-8 Aaron Greassman and 6-3 Eric Gerding added 10 points each.
Tory Meagher, Courtney Horton, Shane Simpkins, Travis Strong, Ryan Merchant, Jeremy Bloomfield, and Ryan Ridder did not participate due to injuries or prior travel arrangements.
This camp gives out several awards over the week session. The awards for this division are:
|
Free Throw Champ – Under 6-0 |
Zac Madren |
Anchorage Christian |
AK |
|
Free Throw Champ – 6-0 to 6-3 |
Kenny Marsh |
Benton Marshall County |
KY |
|
Free Throw Champ – 6-4 and Up |
Christopher Huber |
Allentown Parkland |
PA |
|
Hot Shot Champ – Under 6-0 |
Zac Madren |
Anchorage Christian |
AK |
|
Hot Shot Champ – 6-0 to 6-3 |
Robby Boswell |
Florence Boone County |
KY |
|
Hot Shot Champ – 6-4 and Up |
Jeremy Bloomfield |
Lilburn Parkview |
GA |
|
3-Pt. Shooting Champ – Under 6-0 |
Ryan Schroder |
North Ridgeville |
OH |
|
3-Pt. Shooting Champ – 6-0 to 6-3 |
Jordan Noble |
Corbin |
KY |
|
3-Pt. Shooting Champ – 6-4 and Up |
Jeremy Bloomfield |
Lilburn Parkview |
GA |
|
Slam Dunk Champ |
Sekoe White |
Lexington Dunbar |
KY |
|
Most Improved |
Michael McCutchen |
Henderson Chester County |
IN |
|
Best Ballhandler |
Courtney Horton |
Chicago Washington |
IL |
|
Best Underclassman |
Courtney Horton |
Chicago Washington |
IL |
|
Best Passer |
Reiley Ervin |
Memphis White Station |
TN |
|
Best Defensive Player |
Bobby Seivers |
Sandy Hook Elliott County |
KY |
|
Best Rebounder |
Chris Commons |
Toledo Central Catholic |
OH |
|
Best Hustler |
Eric Holy |
West Vancouver |
BC |
|
Best Station Worker |
Brice Kelly |
Corvallis Crescent Valley |
OR |
|
Final Four MVP |
Andre Woodson |
Radcliff North Hardin |
KY |
|
Final Four Runner Up MVP |
Reiley Ervin |
Memphis White Station |
TN |
|
League MVP |
Travis Strong |
Memphis White Station |
TN |
|
League Runner Up MVP |
Andre Woodson |
Radcliff North Hardin |
KY |
|
All-Star Game MVP |
Steven Kidd |
Sandy Hook Elliott County |
KY |
|
All-Star Game Runner Up MVP |
Demetrius Guions |
Radcliff North Hardin |
KY |
Division Summary
Travis Strong, a very athletic player from Memphis White Station TN, claimed the League MVP. 6-5 Andre Woodson from North Hardin High School in Radcliff KY was the League Runner Up MVP and claimed the Final Four MVP. Woodson is an excellent roundballer but is being courted by most of the D1 football powerhouses as a howitzer-armed quarterback on the gridiron. 6-2 Jr. Courtney Horton from Chicago Washington IL won the Best Ballhandler award as well as being named the Best Underclassman in camp. 5-9 Steven Kidd and 5-9 Reiley Ervin displayed unlimited shooting range. 6-7 Chris Commons from Toledo Central Catholic OH is a very long 6-7 with long arms and whose best basketball should be ahead of him. Several veteran observers liked 6-8 Sr. Travis Meeks from Batavia IL. 6-3 Jr. Sekoe White should be playing for coach Eddy Oakley at Lexington Paul Dunbar this year and had a very good camp. 6-7 Torey Meagher should be ready for an excellent senior campaign at Louisville St. Xavier this year. Zac Madren from Anchorage Christian AK, set a camp free throw record with 191 consecutive successful shots. 6-2 Sr. Matt Pait from Jefferson IN had to leave camp early but was one of the top participants in camp before his departure.
This was the fourth year I attended this camp and I am starting to feel like a veteran observer. I am usually amused by comments overheard by the other observers during the first two days of camp. Discussions usually arise on the talent level of the camp and how it compares to past camps. While talent levels may vary slightly from camp session to session I am always surprised on the final day how many undiscovered gems there are to be found in this short period of time. I am a firm believer that players will only get better as a result of this concentrated period of competition.
The strengths of this camp, in my opinion, are the organization and the opportunity afforded each player. The camp directors make everyone welcome and provide the official camp programs, all-star game rosters, and the list of award winners. The All-Star games are always entertaining due to the work of the camp directors who often have to juggle the lineups to accommodate early player departures due to travel arrangements. Another, and I believe, very important, strength of this camp is the presence of certified trainers. Injures are evaluated and treated immediately.
This camp also has a tremendous up-side for players who have either not had the exposure or are late bloomers. While there are many summer camps and leagues, I will continue to make the Cage Scope/High Potential "Blue-Chip" Basketball Camp an annual "must visit" for myself.