Rashard Bishop rules the court at IS8
Posted: Thursday, October 12, 2006
by Joseph Jagde
This is a review from some of the earlier games at IS8 a couple of weekends ago. I was on hand September 23th for the Shooting Stars against the Panthers, teams one and two in the North Division. The Shooting Stars had a stacked roster with big man Samardo Samuels leading the way helped by James Southerland, Miles Beauty, Ashton Gibbs and Melquan Bolding.
Samardo Samuels was all everything in this game, hitting a couple of deep jumpers, and leaners in the lane from every possible angle where he just took enough off on his bank shots to get the proper touch while going against an athletic defender in Edwards. He had any number of powerful blocked shots on defense. Despite the presence of Samuels, several of the Panthers had particularly dynamic games. Rashard Green has an uncanny ability to find openings and get free in the lane for running one handers and has excellent driving ability. He hit one shot after another early in the game setting a tone for the Panthers and helping them nudge ahead slightly and finish the half one point ahead. Green shoots set shots from deep and doesn’t really look to go into deep jumpers off the dribble. Lamont Jones, from Rice High School, had a particularly high scoring game, ending up with 40 points. He was hitting from deep and instead of driving all the way to the hoop, and he was pulling up for quick short jumpers. Then he would just about always finish on the break as well. But he showed excellent ability to stop on the dime and hit pull up jumpers and he was doing a lot of this off the good handle. One of the complaints about todays players is they either shoot from deep or drive all the way to the basket but Jones shows that he has that in between game as well on offense.
Dwan McMillian had a great game, passing really well in hitting tough passes in traffic and hitting deep jumpers. He was using extra speed to jet to the hoop in the second half where he was particularly dominate. He isn’t high on national lists, but off this game he has a high talent level, he probably needs to get stronger however.
James Southerland had a couple of nice quick jumpers from deep for the Shooting Stars, but played only about half the game. Overall it was a great contest, and it took great performances from the Panthers to edge out a victory at the end
The Playaz Club seniors had two games later that afternoon. Particularly impressive was Rashard Bishop from St. Benedict’s high school, who was a constant presence to score in both games I observed him play. A 6’6 strongly built athlete, he has the ability to continually get into position for easy layups down low and at the same time floats deep lefty jumpers with a deft touch. My friend Rich a professor at Adelphi University said, “ He’s a scoring machine, isn’t he." He gives that Bernard King type look.
Corey Raji, who is committed to Boston College of the ACC was also on the team, and scores well both from outside and inside more in the flow of the game rather than in the dominating style of Rashard Bishop.
Chris Smith from New Jersey is a guard who could do no wrong, and is really tough in driving and dunking repeatedly and finishing everything. His brother J.R.plays in the NBA.
Jordan Costner, a 6’6 forward who’s brother plays for NC State, was active on the floor and hit the boards hard.
Ryan Bacon at 6’7, displayed good skills on the wing and is now committed to Delaware.
In the second game for the Senior Playazz against Molloy who put up a fight for a while, and for Molloy Russ Smith came off the bench for some showman like but effective passes on the break, showing good creativity in getting his teammates in position for easy shots, and chipped in 12 points himself, including a couple of deep jumpers while playing less than half the game. This sophomore should be a contributor on the varsity this year for Molloy and is one of the more entertaining players you will see.
Other players who impressed in some of the other games of the weekend, were Michael Rosario and Travon Woodall both who play for St. Anthony’s High school in New Jersey and were playing for the Playazs Club Juniors. After awhile, over the course of two games, it became apparent that Michael Rosario simply doesn’t miss and he shoots a lot as well so it’s not like he is just picking spots. Talk about a pure shooter, here he is. He is also strong on the court.
Travon Woodall also from St. Anthony’s, has all the facets of the game down pat, and he can pull up nicely off the dribble as well as racing to the hoop. In between games, he was sitting next to the group I was with and he seemed personable and friendly. I subsequently read that he had the better of super duper Brandon Jennings in a game over the summer.
On Sunday October 1st, I saw United Brooklyn against the CT( basketball Club A). Michael Moore from Ct was dominate early scoring in the 20’s in the first half. He is a big guard who finds spots on the floor and hit’s some nice jumpers off the dribble and positions himself well on offense.
In the second half, United Brooklyn rallied to win the game. Patrick Jackson was particularly impressive as a 6’7 shooting guard, who really locks in on his jumper and has picture perfect form and is simply a good player. He also demonstrated that he can put the ball on the floor and go one on one to the basket.
Nathaniel Lester, from Canarsie high also played well for Brooklyn, hitting jumpers from the corner over the high arching arms of defenders he also displayed good one on one ability in using the handle. Pat Jackson, spoke to scout Harvey Epstein and mentions only St. John’s as a possible college destination. His uncle Tony Jackson had been an all time great at St. John’s. Nat Lester, mentioned to Harvey UMass and Hofstra as possible destinations.
The last game was a dandy, with St. Dominics going against the Panthers. Lamont Jones and Dwan McMillian were on hand for the Panthers but St. Dom’s stole the show, and had the best designed offense I’ve seen at IS8 for which some of the credit has to go to the coach. James Wilson hit a 50 foot heave to end the first half and really didn’t miss from there for St. Dom’ss and had 21 points. Russell Davis, the point guard , is one player who looks like he can play with the very best in the nation. He is very strong, has a lefty jumper and does everything well. He is very underrated as I do not see him on any national lists and he can contend against anybody. St. Dom’s, led by Russell Davis and James Wilson, looked like they were right out of Hoosier country.
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