Social Network

OTR Breakout Camp – Standouts Part III (JLH) – August 18, 2022

OTR Breakout Camp – Standouts Part III (JLH) – August 18, 2022
August 18, 2022

NORCROSS, Georgia, – The Breakout Camp had so many prospects to take note of that it takes us multiple recaps to cover all the names. We enter in the third page of my notebook in this edition. Here are names that we predict will make an impact at the high school and club ball circuits in years to come.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Class of 2025 point guard Abel Etienne Jr. impressed us with his ball skill and creative footwork in the lane. He showed the timing the ability to finish with his off hand in the lane. He is also smooth enough with his footwork to finish with the off foot as defenders stunted at him in help and recover situations.

There is a lot to be excited about with Derwin Hodge from the Wesleyan School. The incoming freshman has length and versatility to make him a top-notch prospect in the area. He showed good instinct as a shot blocker as he used his long arms to swat shots out of bounds. Hodge has potential to become a hi-lo option in future years. Adding strength and explosiveness will be of priority for him this season.

Class of 2025 guard Isaiah Dulaney burst onto the scene with his speed and finishing ability. The McEachern product is hard to contain in the open floor and is capable of elevating and scoring in traffic. Expect the sophomore to continue his ascent in Powder Springs.

Xavier Lewis from Miller Grove burned up the nets at the camp. The athletic combo guard showed his quick, confident release in the flow of the half court offense. He used his athleticism to create space off step back jumpers and just out of range of the outstretched hands of defenders. The 2025 prospect shows all the characteristics of a scoring specialist at this level.

Woodward Academy was well represented at the camp. Deke Cooper is the second War Eagle to be mentioned in my notebook. The class of 2025 wing is athletic and a threat to attack the rim with either hand when he squares up on the perimeter. He is adept at finishing in traffic even amongst the tallest in the camp. This combination of athleticism and scoring instinct will serve him well.

Laney High School sophomore Mehki Nelson looks to be another premier prospect to emerge out of the Augusta area. He showed quick flashes of shaking defenders with crossover moves. He is equally adept at slicing through lunging defenders to finish at the rim. His nose for scoring the ball will have college coaches’ attention soon enough.

Class of 2025 guard Josiah Victor of Hebron Christian Academy looked good in competition on Saturday. He brings size and strength to the backcourt. He places the game at a good pace and possesses soft touch around the bucket. His ability to change speeds to keep on ball defenders off balance shows a maturity to his game.

Warren County High School has a budding star in sophomore Quay Jones. He is an athletic guard that can outrun the back pedaling defense with the ball in his hands. He sliced through the defense with ease as he finished buckets in transition. He also sports a consistent 3-point shot in the flow of the game. He can evade lunging defenders with a quick sidestep and still maintain the balance to connect on jumpers.

Another freshman that caught our attention was wing Bo Bowden from Westlake High School. He is a physical specimen with the ball in his hands. He is quick to get downhill with the dribble. However, unlike other guards who are unable to finish because of strength and length, Bowden can exert his will through contact.

We love to see wings with versatile skill sets. We believe that Jared White of Sandy Creek will continue to turn into one of those all-around players. He is equipped with a strong face up game where he can get a step on defenders with a strong first step. Yet it is what he does on the interior that caught our eye. He will post up smaller defenders or use power jump stops and pivots to find the right angle in the paint. That type of awareness is unique.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.


Recommended Posts