#OTRHoopsReport: Nike Extravaganza – Boatwright & Henson – Feb. 14, 2014

Santa Ana, Calif. – To be considered among the game’s elite, you have to produce on the biggest of stages. This is a truth that exists at every level of basketball. The Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei is definitely one of the biggest stages during the high school basketball season. Here is a look back at two players that rose to the occasion in the last weekend in January.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Bennie Boatwright (Mission Hills, Calif.) – Village Christian – 2015

On Friday night Boatwright drew one of the biggest challenges of the entire weekend, which was to face-off against a national top ten player in Stanley Johnson of Mater Dei High School. The 6-foot-8 small forward competed well in the opening day headliner as he scored 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds. He scored most of his buckets while having Johnson matching him step for step, which required Boatwright to use his creative skill and footwork to find space to launch his jumpers. Boatwright’s style contrasts to Johnson as he is primarily a jump shooter whereas Johnson likes to use his athleticism to overpower his opponents. The 2015 graduate will need to fill out physically before we can consider an impact player at the next level, but when he does – count on him to be a premier wing in his class.
See what play from CoachHemi.com would get Boatwright a shot: Euro-League Flare Screen

Corey Henson (Hyattsville, Md.) – DeMatha – 2014

Sometimes fans and outside basketball observers can fall into the trap of following only the highest ranked or most recruited players in the nation. That type of oversight will prevent the appreciation of highly productive players like Corey Henson who has signed to play with Wagner College next year. At 6-feet tall, the senior combo guard will not ‘wow’ anyone with his height or stature, but pay attention to his game play one will understand why he has helped DeMatha to become a top 25 ranked team nationally. Henson has an efficient game as he does not need a high volume of shots to score a high volume of points. His 33 point effort in an overtime win versus Westchester (Los Angeles, Calif.) is a perfect example of this fact. He moves well without the ball and is able to get himself in position to shoot a high percentage from behind the arc and in the mid-range. Look for Henson to continue this type of efficiency in years to come on Staten Island.
See what play Coach Mike Jones ran for Corey Henson as drawn up on CoachHemi.com: DeMatha Pick-n-Pop

Prospect Evaluation/Exposure Options

***Designed for DII, III, NAIA & JUCO exposure. These events average 25 to 30 schools on hand to watch the showcase participants.

March 22nd –OnTheRadarHoops Spring Showcase
OnTheRadarHoops Fall Showcase (Sept.)

Elite Basketball Academy Series

***Designed for evaluation purposes, these are great opportunities for upperclassmen and underclassmen alike to get valuable game broadcasts that can be sent to college coaches with a single email message. For underclassmen, it also serves as the gateway for prospects with remaining high school eligibility to play in front of the OnTheRadarHoops.com staff.

March 9th – EBA Top 40 Spring Workout
March 15th – CoachHemi.com Showcase

Jonathan HemingwayJonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. He is also the owner of Coach Hemingway Basketball. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB


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