Players excel at basketball showcase
Players excel at basketball showcase
"What are you looking for?"
"Shooting guard and a post player, just like every college coach in the country."
"Have you seen my kid?"
"What's his story?"
And so the dance went Saturday at Northern Guilford, where more than a hundred elite high school basketball players and two dozen college coaches showed up to feel each other out at a showcase event.
Per NCAA rules, college coaches weren't allowed to have direct contact with players or their families. But high school coaches and other intermediaries were there to help swap information on players like prospective Craigslist buyers.
Almost half of the players at the first-year event were seniors still looking for a scholarship to play at the next level.
Northern coach Stan Kowalewski, the event's organizer, said 27 colleges were represented, including 20 Division I schools from as far away as Wichita, Kan.
"For a first-time event, it went very well," Kowalewski said. "An event like this, you've got to build up some trust."
Here are some of the local players who had notable performances:
Jay Canty, Ragsdale: Smoothest player on the floor. He had the most electrifying play of the day, a thunderous put-back dunk that had even some of his opponents looking surprised.
Jacob Lawson, Northern Guilford: There's a reason his coach calls him a gazelle -- the 6-foot-7 freshman gets off the floor like a pogo stick. On one possession, he slipped underneath for a layup, then came down the floor and blocked a shot into the first row.
Julius Brooks, Page: The Pirates big man uses his considerable size well.
Michael Neal, Northern Guilford: Stocky freshman had a knack for creating his own shot, even against longer players.
Javan Mitchell, Greensboro Day: The 6-9 junior had problems finishing but was a force on the defensive end. He blocked shots without even trying.
Jermaine Martinez, High Point Christian: Extremely active with good size. Beat people to the ball all day.
Jay Lewis, Greensboro Day: Burly guard dribbled the ball wherever he wanted and excelled at setting up teammates.
Anton Jones, Glenn: One of the quickest players there. Played some extremely disruptive defense.
David Dupont, Grimsley: Distributed the ball well and shot it with remarkable accuracy.
P.J. Hairston, Dudley: A man among boys, and he's only a freshman.
Could probably make the longest highlight reel of anyone in attendance.
Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or at tom.keller@news-record.com
Northern Guilford's Jacob Lawson shoots against Mount Zion.
