CSG International Prep Showcase Recap
VOORHEES, N.J. – The 2004 CSG International Prep Showcase brought out many of the top prep school teams in the country, and with it a great deal of top talent. Low on underclassmen, the event didn’t provide much drama in terms of possible new player recruitment since many of the seniors are already signed. Nonetheless, there was a good coaching turnout that included several head coaches.
The event was held at the old practice facility of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, a nice facility and good setup for the game, as well as the spectators, media and college coaches. The proximity to Philadelphia was also a positive. Overall, it made for a good weekend of prep school basketball action.
Here is a look at the Saturday and Sunday scores, then some of the notable players we saw.
Saturday Scoreboard
Worcester (MA) Academy 104, Burlington (NJ) Life Center Academy 68
Champlain St. Lambert (Quebec) 70, Woodstock (VA) Massanutten Military Academy 63
Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy 81, Centereach (NY) Our Savior New American School 78
Laurinburg (NC) Institute 99, North Bridgton (ME) Bridgton Academy 77
Fork Union (VA) Military Academy 73, Oakdale (CT) St. Thomas More 70
Chatham (VA) Hargrave Military Academy 79, South Kent (CT) School 75
Fitchburg (MA) Notre Dame Prep 73, Virginia Beach (VA) Coastal Christian Academy 65
Philadelphia (PA) Lutheran Christian 111, Winchendon (MA) School 81
Sunday Scoreboard
Newark (NJ) St. Benedict’s 87, Woodstock (VA) Massanutten Military Academy 71 (exhibition)
South Kent (CT) School 76, Virginia Beach (VA) Coastal Christian Academy 69
Laurinburg (NC) Institute 96, Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy 92
Oakdale (CT) St. Thomas More 76, St. Lambert (Quebec) Champlain St. Lambert 46
Jeff Adrien (6’6″ Sr. SF-PF, Brookline (MA) Brewster Academy) He didn’t star, but he was solid all-around, as few get more done inside at his size. His body is in great shape, he scored (21 vs. Our Savior, 14 vs. Laurinburg) and rebounded and even blocked a few shots, and really held down the fort inside. High-major prospect signed with Connecticut.
Dwayne Anderson (6’6″ Sr. SF, Silver Spring (MD) St. Thomas More) Very athletic forward plays bigger and really did a little of everything this weekend while mainly playing out of position inside, which he’ll do all season. He’s rugged and battles inside, rebounded well this weekend and isn’t an offensive liability as he had 14 against both Fork Union and Champlain St. Lambert. High-major prospect signed with Villanova.
Jim Baron, Jr. (6’3″ Sr. SG, Warwick (RI) Worcester Academy) His great stroke was on display Saturday as he scored 32 points, including 8 three-pointers, against Life Center. More than that, he plays like you expect the son of a coach to play, which includes playing within himself, being fundamentally sound and he plays defense. High-major minus prospect signed with Rhode Island, where he’ll play for his father.
Andray Blatche (6’11” Sr. C, Syracuse (NY) South Kent School) He largely played away from the basket at the offensive end, which isn’t the best move for him and he continues to not wow NBA scouts. He rebounded well once again and still blocked and changed shots, so his defensive play is still good, but while he knocked down some mid-range shots and does handle the ball better than your average center, he’s decidedly better inside, where he’s quicker than opposing post players. Big-time prospect.
Dionte Christmas (6’6″ Jr. SG-SF, Philadelphia (PA) Lutheran Christian Academy) Athletic wing played very well in two games. He went 20 against Winchendon, scoring on quick slashes including with his left hand once, as well as showing a stroke from long range. He has a decent frame and very good potential.
Kareem Cooper (6’11” Sr. C, Raleigh (NC) Laurinburg Institute) He’s lost a good deal of weight and his play is clearly better now. He showed his touch from the outside and scored some hoops inside, but also moved much better overall. High-major prospect signed with Memphis.
Leo Criswell (6’9″ Sr. SF-PF, Kansas City (KS) Coastal Christian Academy) Plain and simple, he struggled at the offensive end because he’s trying to be a full-time small forward, and he’s simply not there yet. He’s athletic, and with his size that can be a lethal combination one day, but right now his offensive game needs work away from the basket and he needs to go inside to score. On the plus side, he rebounded well. High-major prospect signed with Missouri.
David Cubillan (6’0″ Jr. PG, Newark (NJ) St. Benedict’s) Quick point guard had 26 in their exhibition win, showing a fearless streak against the bigger players when driving despite his slight frame and finishing and also knocking down jump shots.
Tyree Evans (6’2″ Sr. SG, Richmond (VA) Winchendon School) With a future assistant coach watching, this shooter made an impression by scoring 29 points (23 in the second half) against Lutheran Christian. He does it with a solid stroke and scored on catch-and-shoot and off the dribble. High-major prospect signed with Cincinnati.
Khalil Hartwell (6’7″ PF, Philadelphia (PA) Lutheran Christian Academy) He’s always had a good body, but his overall maturity is really apparent now. He won’t score a ton of points, but he’s a presence, a live body inside, and he runs the floor very well. Mid-major plus prospect signed with Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Etoile Imama (6’2″ So. PG, St. Lambert (Quebec) Champlain St. Lambert) Despite his team’s struggles, he played well at the point. He’s a good floor leader with quickness that can be a bit deceptive and he defends, which is always a plus. He got to the basket a few times, not looking to score much. He’s worth keeping an eye on.
Maurice Joseph (6’4″ Sr. SG, St. Lambert (Quebec) Champlain St. Lambert) Quick scoring guard didn’t play his best ball this weekend, as he over-dribbled at times and struggled shooting the ball and to finish his drives. He’s a quick slasher who drives more than he shoots. He had 17 points against Massanutten, then only 6 against St. Thomas More.
Daye Kaba (6’3″ So. PG, Centereach (NY) Our Savior New American School) One of the reasons his team was very impressive, he’s the best of their talented backcourt prospects. He’s a quick slasher who got to the basket and finished well, has good size for the point guard spot, and knocked down a three-pointer en route to 20 points as his team gave Brewster Academy a run for their money.
Chris Lutz (6’3″ Sr. SG, Bedford (NH) Brewster Academy) His shooting is easily the part of his game he’s best known for, but he showed this weekend that he’s much more than just a shooter. While he knocked down the three-pointers consistently, including clutch shots, he also showed some deceptive quickness and the ability to handle the ball, and he really seemed to play within himself well. It showed in the results: 25 points against Our Savior New American, 22 along with 3 assists and 3 steals against Laurinburg. High-major minus prospect signed with Purdue.
Harvey Perry (6’4″ Sr. SG, Las Vegas (NV) Brewster Academy) Very athletic and well-built wing was solid defensively and knocked down some three-pointers on the offensive end. He got hot early against Laurinburg before cooling off, as he had just five free throws in the second half after nine early points. High-major prospect signed with Washington.
Quantez Robinson (6’3″ Sr. SG, Cincinnati (OH) Laurinburg Institute) Very athletic lefty really got to the basket when he wanted to, finishing fast breaks and knifing through the defense. He’s quick and explosive, and he didn’t really shoot the ball since he usually had a path to the basket. He went for 13 points against Bridgton, then 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals against Brewster Academy. High-major minus prospect.
Roburt Sallie (6’5″ SG, Sr. Elk Grove (CA) Laurinburg Institute) Shooter has good size and shot well from long range, going for 17 points against Bridgton Academy and 11 with 4 assists against Brewster. High-major minus prospect signed with Washington.
Lance Thomas (6’8″ Jr. SF-PF, Newark (NJ) St. Benedict’s) Combo forward did what we expect: he played with a purpose at both ends, hit a few jumpers, worked on the post and made hustle plays. He had 21 in their exhibition against Massanutten.
A.D. Vassalo (6’6″ Sr. SG-SF, Hurt (VA) Hargrave Military Academy) Very athletic wing was good all-around, including some clutch shots in his team’s win on Saturday. He shot the ball, handled it and made plenty of plays, scoring 12 of his 18 points against South Kent in the second half. High-major prospect signed with Richmond.
Shawne Williams (6’8″ SF, Sr. Memphis (TN) Laurinburg Institute) He’s capable of better than he played this weekend, though he did show a little of his multitude of skills. He’s athletic and skilled at small forward. He had 13 in their win over Bridgton. Big-time prospect signed with Memphis, but talk swirls about him giving the NBA Draft a long look.
Mason Wooldridge (6’6″ Sr. SF-PF, Palmyra (VA) Fork Union Military Academy) Versatile forward played well against St. Thomas More, going for 15 points and showing a variety of offensive abilities. He posted up, faced the basket, moved without the ball, and can hit from long range. Mid-major plus/high-major minus prospect signed with Air Force.
Sam Young (6’6″ Sr. PF, Clinton (MD) Hargrave Military Academy) Watching him play, the word “warrior” constantly comes to mind. He gladly bangs with the big guys for inside baskets and rebounds, holding his own despite being undersized, and this weekend that was in full display and especially in the second half of games. On Saturday, he had 22 of his game-high 31 points in the second half. High-major prospect signed with Pittsburgh.
