Host Team Takes Boo Williams Title
HAMPTON, Va. – One of the top early spring events is always the Boo Williams Invitational, held in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. A good number of the top Nike-sponsored teams travel there for a good weekend of basketball. This weekend didn’t buck that tradition, with great games even before the finals.
The 17-under Gold Division final looked like it would be quite a matchup early on, as the Houston Hoops stayed right with the loaded Boo Williams Summer League team. The first half was tight throughout, with Boo Williams holding a 36-33 lead at the break. But in the second half, after rallying once, the Hoops started to run out of gas and Boo Williams pulled away for an 81-65 win, with their largest lead being the final margin of victory. Stud rising senior Vernon Macklin led the winners with 23 points, while Stefan Welsh added 20 and Scotty Reynolds had 16. Recent Oklahoma commitment Damion James led the Hoops with 23 points.
The 16-under championship needed overtime to decide, with Baltimore-based Mt. Royal defeating the host Boo Williams team by a 47-45 score.
The All-Tournament team was named after the 17-under final:
Nic Wise, Houston Hoops
Spencer Hawes, Friends of Hoop Seattle
Darrell Arthur, Team Texas
Tywon Lawson, D.C. Blue Devils
Scotty Reynolds, Boo Williams Summer League
Kevin Durant, D.C. Blue Devils (MVP)
Here is a look at some of the top players we saw at the tournament.
Darrell Arthur (6’9″ Jr. PF, Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff HS) This long athlete has a world of potential. He played well inside for the weekend and ran the floor well, with the potential to be a combo forward down the line. He went for 16 points against Nike Team Florida, and reportedly had a terrific game in the quarterfinals. Big-time prospect.
Brandon Brown (5’9″ Jr. PG, Houston (TX) Aldine HS) Quick little point guard is slight, but played some pesky defense. He seemed to do a good job of playing with what he has. Mid-major prospect.
Sherron Collins (6’0″ Jr. PG, Chicago (IL) Crane HS) This well-built floor leader had a big weekend and should be climbing the ranks of point guards in the class of 2006. He’s quick and did everything you want from a point guard this weekend – scored the ball while still distributing, and he scored by finishing drives and shooting it. High-major prospect.
Kevin Durant (6’8″ Jr. SF, Ft. Washington (MD) Oak Hill Academy) His selection as MVP was a little controversial because his team was eliminated in the semifinals, but he had a huge weekend. He still has a good ways to go physically, but the basketball talent is there. He had 28 points Friday night, and later had 15 points in their semifinal loss to Boo Williams. Big-time prospect.
Damion James (6’8″ Jr. SF, Houston (TX) Nacogdoches HS) Had a solid weekend and seemed to get better as it went along. He’s athletic and scored mainly driving to the basket, and he’s a threat to grab a rebound and take the ball the length of the floor for a basket. He also has a good frame that’s quite mature. High-major prospect recently committed to Oklahoma.
Gary Johnson (6’7″ So. PF, Houston (TX) Aldine HS) Keep an eye on him, as he had a solid tournament and looks poised to break out. He uses his strength and post moves inside to attack the hoop and was very active. He went for 14 against BABC and 15 against the Metro Hawks, and looks like he’s only getting better.
Curtis Kelly (6’9″ Jr. PF, New York (NY) Rice HS) He’s starting to fill out more and his game is rounding into form. He ran the floor, made some plays at both ends inside and is just taking care of business. He scored 20 points against the Metro Hawks. Big-time prospect.
Tywon Lawson (5’11” Jr. PG, Forestville (MD) Oak Hill Academy) Very quick point guard called his own number often, but when you can penetrate at will like he can that’s not always a bad idea. He made some strong drives and played well overall this weekend, and he’s one of the top point guards in the class of 2006. Big-time prospect.
Vernon Macklin (6’10” Jr. C, Portsmouth (VA) I.C. Norcom HS) The “Big Ticket” had himself a good weekend helping his team to the championship. He’s a big presence inside and runs the floor very well – he finished a few fast breaks this weekend, among other things. Big-time prospect.
Jonathan Mitchell (6’7″ Jr. PF, Mt. Vernon (NY) High) He’s added a good deal of muscle in recent months, and that will only help him as he’s already a solid post scorer. He’s still very left-handed, but showed better ball skills, and he went for 17 against the Gauchos and 20 against Houston Hoops. High-major prospect.
Scotty Reynolds (6’0″ Jr. PG, Herndon (VA) High) Not the quickest guard, he can light it up from long range and could be a combo guard in college. His shot selection looks better and he didn’t look as shoot-first this weekend, which will only help him. High-major prospect committed to Oklahoma after the tournament.
Jeremiah Rivers (6’4″ Jr. SG, Winter Park (FL) High) We only saw him in one game, but he struggled mightily in it. He scored just five points against Team Texas, struggling to shoot the ball while playing the point. He’s a capable floor leader if needed, and we know he’s capable of better than what he showed here. High-major prospect.
Jeff Ryan (6’6″ Jr. SF, Glenbrook (IL) South HS) A solid role player from the small forward spot, he runs the floor well and showed the ability to handle and pass the ball. He’ll get out in transition and looks like he scores in flow. Mid-major plus prospect.
Stefan Welsh (6’2″ Jr. SG, Newport News (VA) Woodside HS) Quick scoring guard can flat-out score, and he certainly did that this weekend. He’s a good leaper and his frame is filling out, so when you put that with his ability to score on drives and shooting the ball, you have a good high-major prospect.
