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Jim Haley's Rookie Sensations.
Posted, 10/24/2004 12:41:42 AM.
Revisions, 10/24/2004 2:22:47 PM

Let's set the record straight. There were plenty of eyes in the gym. Mine were just another pair watching these kids go at it. Everyone has an opinion and I'll share mine. I started out the day trying to find good things in all of these kids game. However, it was easy to see that some of these kids just don't have the skills that you would hope they would have by now. Here is my take on the freshmen that stood out. Check out our list of the Top 10 Sophomores.
  1. Miguel Paul - Kathleen - 5'10".

    The best freshman at the camp. Miguel can put the ball on the floor, shoot the three, and when he wants to, play some pretty good defense. It looks like the game comes easy to him. A good future.

  2. Luke Loucks - Clearwater - 6'3".

    This kid is a basketball player. He looks for his teammates and shares the ball. He makes great decisons, can find the open man, and shoot the ball well. He should have been picked for the All Star game. A great player.

  3. Kenny Williams - Columbia - 5'8".

    Coach Haley saw the afterburners kick in on this kid. He can go. He is not shy with the ball. He knows when to takes his man off the dribble and gets to the basket easilly. Another All Star candidate passed by.

  4. Marcus Johnson - Winter Springs - 5'8".

    A lot can be said for a kid that can get to the basket the way Marcus does. He will find a way, one way or another. He takes care of the ball well and makes good decisions at the point guard position.

  5. Labrente Bracey - Vanguard - 6'4".

    Labrente looks like a basketball player. He has a slim body and it looks like basketball is game. He had trouble early. However, late in the afternoon, he woke up and started to show that he can play the game.

  6. Jay Wade - Bay - 6'4".

    This kid's best basketball is yet to come. He has no problem taking the ball to the basket and is a solid defender. He got stuck behind Miguel Paul, Idell Bell, and Ryan Power on the gray team when it came to handling the ball. Although, he didn't seem to mind moving without the ball.

  7. Kory Pugh - Pine Castle Christian - 6'3"

    Don't sleep on Pine Castle Christian for the next couple of years. Kory looked good hustling for the ball. Good player on both sides of the ball with a nice intermediate jumper.

  8. Jim Leffew - Vero Beach - 5'6".

    I have been watching Jim play for several years and he continues to impress. His jump shot is great. He handles the point position like an old pro and is a great defender. I hope Jim grows over the next few years. His size is his only hindrance.

  9. Ryan Power - Jensen Beach - 5'8".

    Lakeland-Kathleen assistant coach Eddie Anderson was surprised at how "polished" his game is. He sneaks up on people. A solid defender, nice outside jumper, handles the ball and will go fight for rebounds on both ends of the floor. The weight room will help Ryan for the future.

  10. Eddie Piccini - Pine Castle Christian - 5'10".

    Eddie is a hard working guard. He isn't the most talented player. But, he will get on the floor and fight for the ball. He always seems to find a way to score, which meant normally a 3 point play the old fashioned way this weekend. Fun player to watch.

  11. Thomas Austin - Pine Castle Christian - 5'7".

    A lot can be said for understanding the game of basketball. Thomas is a good defender, has decent handles, and has no problem hitting the open jump shot. Coach Mark Rickman has to be excited about his freshman class. This one's a keeper.

  12. Anthony Salters - Rickards - 5'9".

    It took until late afternoon for Anthony to get into the swing of things. He was quite unimpressive in the morning session. However, he bounced back and displayed a nice variety in his offensive game. Although, he is a better passer than scorer at this time.

  13. Ameer Brown - Monteverde - 6'4".

    Ameer has a nose for the ball. This kid was everywhere. Offense, defense, taking it to the basket, trying to make the right pass. He made a decision to attend the right school. Coach Kevin Sutton will make him a better player. We'll see Ameer at full potential in the coming years.

  14. John Burke - Gibbs - 6'6".

    A "moose" of a kid. A wide body together with his 6'6" frame and a desire to get to the basket. He ran into some trouble against a taller Adam Pegg. But, you can tell the kid has been working on his game.

  15. Adam Pegg - Palm Harbor - 6'8".

    Adam needs to work on his overall strength and conditioning. He needs to find a weight room and hit it hard. He displays some good moves on occasion offensively. Defensively, at 6'8", he can be intimidating to an offensive player. Adam just needs a coach willing to teach him the game.

Other Freshmen Attending (in no particular order):
Some of these kids looked really uncomfortable on the floor throughout the day. All the kids worked hard and displayed moments of brilliance. These kids are freshmen and most will probably play varsity in their high school career. Also, it is really tough to evaluate a kid when they have very limited touches on the offensive side of the ball. Tentativeness or whatever does make it difficult. I really admire recruiting guys that can write two paragraphs about a player's offensive game when they only touch the ball 4 times a game, only to pass it twice, and have an off game.
  • Jordan Fair - Oldsmar Christian - 5'10". He will hit the open jump shot and shows no emotion when anything goes right or wrong. The kid is a good pass-first point guard. His ability to hit the open shot only helps his game.
  • Clifford Reed Jr. - Atlantic - 6'3". He didn't get the ball much offensively. However, he did a nice job defensively and getting active on the boards.
  • Alex Doyle - Jesuit - 6'5". I have seen Alex play before. So, I know that he offers a good rebounding effort and the occasional 15 ft. jump shot.
  • Brolin Floyd - Vanguard - 6'. Brolin has a nice outside shot, sees the floor well, and will make the right pass in transition or the half court.
  • John Barnes - Ft. Walton Beach - 5'10". John's strength is his defense for the moment. Some time at the high school level will improve his overall game.
  • Fred Riley - Vanguard - 6'4". Fred is one of those kids that looks like a player. A good build and the opportunity to work with Coach Haley will continue to elevate his game.
  • Orien Euis - Gainesville - 5'7". Orien had some tough defensive assignments. He handled them pretty well. Some time at the high school level will improve his game.
  • Jon Woodside - Lake Gibson - 6'. Jon hit some nice mid-range jumpshots. He battled well to make the offense choose another player to score on.
  • Damian Robinson - Vanguard - 6'. Damian will hit the outside jump shot when given the opportunity. One of the 4 Vanguard freshmen on hand. Time is on his side as he continues to improve his game.
  • Johnny Nelson - Jackson - 6'3". Johnny's game will continue to get better. He contributed both offensively and defensively. He's just like the rest of most high school freshmen, he needs some experience
  • Christian Jones - Bay - 5'9". Christian moves his feet quick on defense and is able to turn his man. He also reacts well in the open court, whether it's a pass or a layup.
  • Brandon Joiner - Winter Park - 6'5". Brandon has some tools to work with. He continues to grow and his low post game can become more effective. Hard work will pay dividends for him.
  • Taylor Simmons - Gainesville - 5'8". Taylor has a quick first step, nice outside shot, and is definitely unafraid to take it to the basket.
  • Marcus Capers - Lake Region - 6'. Marcus is a slender-built kid that sees the floor well and makes good decisions on whether to pass or shoot.
  • Larry Murphy - Gibbs - 6'. Larry has some quick hands and a nice medium range jumpshot. He'll add talent to the Gibbs High team. Good player.
  • P.J. Potts - Land of Lakes - 5'10". P.J. was one of the kids who's defense overshadowed their offense capabilities. He moves well without the ball and will continue improving his game.
Class of 2009 Attending Players
You have to credit to 8th graders trying to play against high school kids. One player will be playing against high school kids. The other three will get their chance next year.
  • Emari Bailey - Arlington Country Day - 6'4". This kid oozes athleticism and really enjoys playing the game. We're talking about an 8th grader that easily throws one down, shoots from the outside, and will give the ball up. A real up-n-coming player.
  • Montana Brown - Admiral Farragut Academy - 5'2". This kid is extremely small at maybe 5'2". But, he makes up for it in pure desire and hustle. He can dribble a basketball, has an extremely quick first step, and can shoot an uncontested 3 pointer from about 25 feet. I hope for the best for him.
  • Greg Gantt - Gainesville - 5'8". A nice sized guard type player. He moves well without the ball and can hit the open jump shot. His game will blossom as he learns about decision making in a high school game.
  • Ethan Roulhac - Jinks MS-Panama City - 6'2". Ethan held his own against the older competition. His size allowed him to fit in with the freshmen. His skill level will be ready for next year. He'll find some older players to play against to continue improving.

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