Two Dynamic Point Guards Pick up First Offers

Inside Prep Sports.net

By TJ Kelley

7/23/08

Orlando, FL.- The Wide World Sports Complex offers two large basketball facilities with twelve courts that are well within walking distance. The competition qualified to get to this stage of the 16u National Championship so there were talented teams on every court. There are three teams in the event from Michigan and they are amongst the best the Great Lake State has to offer.

First a look at The Family’s 16u squad in their game versus the Georgia Stars Black 16u: as the guard play on this team based out of Detroit goes so does the team. They almost went to victory after a hard fought third quarter where they claimed a six-point lead headed into the fourth quarter after trailing for much of the game. Although they played hard it was free throws at the end that could have helped their cause as they fell to a very talented team, 63-59.

The guards: 5’9 combo guard Michael "Tre" Talley III kicked started The Family’s comeback as they struggled to score without him on the court. He demands the attention of multiple defenders and once he gets to the basket, which is often, points are either from a lay-up or at the free throw line and sometimes both. When Talley and his back court mate, 6’2 guard Kavonte Martin, were on the court, their pesky and quick defense tended to cause turnovers until the Stars made adjustments. Martin took a couple of shots from deep before finding his three-point shot when The Family needed it most, towards the end of the game. Even though his shot wasn’t as consistent in this game his defense and ability to "get after it" was evident. Truthfully the long ball wasn’t falling as much as The Family’s members would have liked to see but 6’5 wing Roy Marble, jr., 6’6 forward Brian Coleman, and 6’3 guard Richaud Pack each were able to contribute with one a piece. I like Coleman’s upside on the next level as much as any of the three because of his length and his stroke usually produces three-pointers.

Getting to the big men on the team, 6’7 forward Brian Bollen shows the most versatility in his game as he drove aggressively to the basket converting an "and one." He also rebounds well and can also step out to hit the mid-range jumper with consistency. 6’6 power forward Shannon Williams wasn’t 100% as he did take time during the game to get his ankle wrapped therefore he somewhat struggled offensively. Williams did add some help on the boards. 6’6 power forward Terrance Ramsey plays with the energy that every team needs, it’s something every player doesn’t have. His hustle on the boards and on defense blocking shots cold not go without mention.

The underclassmen, 5’10 point guard Desmond "Pee-Wee" Barnes ’11 and 6’8 center Urbane Bingham ‘11, had ups and downs while the potential for both on the next level is definitely there. Barnes runs a good show at the point and I don’t remember him turning the ball over, which is one of the first thing coaches and I look for in a primary ball-handler. Bingham has the size to play up on this level but lacks the athleticism to compete with an athletic team like the GA. Stars.

6’3 wing/guard DeAndray Buckely was out with a leg injury and he may get time once he heals a little more and the Tournament starts.

Other notes from The Family 16u squad, Michael Talley has picked up a recent offer from the University of Detroit.

The Family finished 2-1 in Pool E with wins over the South Carolina Ravens, 70-55, and Shining Stars Sports Tudor, 68-56.

In Pool G, the R.E.A.C.H. Legends went on to a 2-1 record in their pool and their convincing 83-60 victory over the Birmingham Bearcats did wonders for the confidence of the team. R.E.A.C.H.’s back court of 6’1 combo guard Keith Appling and 5’6 point guard Maurice Jones make them the most dangerous back of all the Michigan 16u teams. Appling was his usual self as he scored again and again while keeping the ball on a string. He keeps drawing interest from High- major programs, such as Michigan State, while consistently putting up solid numbers. Jones played well enough to earn his first offer from, Fordham, where his 94-foot style of play and ability to control the pace of the game impressed an assistant from the university in the Bronx. I don’t see Jones growing much more, if at all, but there’s no measure of the heart that he possess’.

Another guard from this who is impressive to the basketball eye is 6’2 guard Chene Phillips. He doesn’t have the scoring of Appling or the creativity of Jones while his defense is more comparable. He’s long and handles the ball ok when needed. I like his upside and think he could wind up around 6’4 by the time he graduates high school.

The guy who may have done the most for himself in front of a large school of coaches is 6’7 Raymone McCaffee. His energy and defense was undeniable as he stayed in the post blocking shots and rebounding. His three-point play fell short of a free throw while his anticipation on defense was great blocking shots, anticipating passes, and running the floor. He’s one of the state’s most impressive players and should be a nice find for mid-major programs.

Pool T, featured Common Bond 16u squad and they finished 3-0. 6’1 guard Glenn Cosey, 6’3 wing Patrick O’Brien, and 6’3 wing/forward Gabe Martin are the trio that made this team finish undefeated. Also, included on that list is 6’7 forward Mohammed Conde. Cosey has nice size and played hard for a ’10 kid looking to get on more college coach’s notepads. He’s a decent athlete who shot it o.k. in front of some instate coaches. He handles it well enough to get to the basket and needs to play a more conservative style at times. O’Brien is a lock Division I player if was 6’6 but he’s 6’3 and has all the heart that a coach, fan, teammate, scout, or DIII/NAIA would love to have. He can hit the three and grinds it out with the big guys. Martin is athletic, strong and when he develops his guard skills he’ll be a steal for some Low Division I program. There are no denying Conde’s active abilities and his on-court the chatter. I want to see Conde hit the mid-range jumper with consistency. Conde’s getting DI looks from across the board and I think a mid-major program could find a home for him but he still has holes in his game, ie. ball handling. 6’11 center Brandon Crane is a long, lefty center that is still finding his way on the A.A.U. scene. He needs to spend more time in the weight room because guarding the post against stronger players isn’t getting it done. Right now, he’d have a hard time on the DII level so red-shirting him in two years might be an option for low DI schools. C.B.’s other big 6’8 270 pound center Jaylen Larry is a future DI player if shows the need to trim up which will only help his game. Larry seemed to hurry his shot in the paint against athletic post players, which often resulted in zero points.

The Common Bond squad finished pool play with a 3-0 record, with two wins by forfeit and the other was a, 84-42, blow out win against Alaska’s Finest.

There’s a break down of the Michigan 16u teams for the fans and coaches as the week continues in Disney World’s Wide World of Sports Complex.