#OTRHoopsReport: Coach Hemi News & Notes – June 30, 2018
Damion Baugh of Team Thad / Antioch, Tennessee, first showed his skill set at the Coach Hemi Showcase. Now he is a prized national recruit for multiple Power 5 Conference Schools. Photo cred – Nakita Hemingway
One of the best parts of grassroots basketball is seeing prospects who show promise, stick to their work ethic and are rewarded with next level opportunities. For the better part of the past five years, CoachHemi.com has hosted a number of camps in the Southeast and the Midwest which provided valuable exposure for players in these regions. This weekend we check in with some of the notable names from previous camps.
By: @JLHemingwayPSB
Damion Baugh (Antioch, Tennessee), Tennessee Preparatory Academy – 2019
Baugh reclassified from the 2018 class into 2019 and will spend an extra year of development at Tennessee Prep Academy this year. His recruitment is booming after playing on the Under Armour circuit with Team Thad this spring. Illinois and Vanderbilt are the latest to offer the 6-foot-3 combo guard. We got our first look at Baugh at the Coach Hemi Showcase in 2015. He projected as an explosive scorer even back then. See highlights of Baugh HERE and read his OTR featured recap HERE.
BREAKING: Vanderbilt & Illinios have both offered 2019 6’4 PG Damion Baugh (@_swaggyd2_) of #TTN
Damion is a super athletic guard, explosive on defense & crazy quick first step to vicious finish! #TeamThad pic.twitter.com/eHrdxibncF
— Team Thad (@TeamThad21) June 27, 2018
Ardarryl “Junior” Clay (Chattanooga, Tennessee), McCallie School – 2018
Clay, a 6-2 guard, carried his recruiting momentum from last spring with Chattanooga Elite into a roster spot at Tennessee Tech University in the Ohio Valley Conference. He led McCallie deep into the post season last year and was named a finalist for Tennessee DII Mr. Basketball. Clay is a proven play-maker who’s style should translate well to the next level. Read his OTR featured recap HERE and highlights of him from the Coach Hemi Showcase HERE.
Freshman Junior Clay moves in next weekend. Tennessee Tech freshman signee.
— OVCHoops-com (@OVCHoops) June 28, 2018
K.J. Johnson (Lewisburg, Tennessee), Marshall County HS – 2019
Johnson had a huge year high school season. He had multiple games with 40 points or more including a 53 point outing in February. He was also named Class AA DI Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee He has the attention of nearly every school in the Kentucky-Tennessee region while playing with EAB on the independent circuit.. This past week he took an unofficial visit at the University of Chattanooga. Johnson has physically matured since we first saw him as a freshman in 2015. But even then we saw his special ability. Read his OTR featured recap HERE and highlights of him from the Coach Hemi Showcase HERE.
KJ Johnson of Marshall Co. dropped 53 points tonight. Kid can ball. https://t.co/PM0rMV6fhJ
— Tom Kreager (@Kreager) February 17, 2018
Dennis Stallings (Nashville, Tennessee), White’s Creek HS – 2018
Stallings concluded a stellar year with White’s Creek HS where he averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He will continue playing basketball at the next level at Alabama A&M. The southpaw guard blends athleticism and shooting touch in the back court. His 6-3 frame and 6-7 wingspan should allow him to be a valuable member of the Bulldog roster for years to come. We identified Stallings as one of the top prospects in Middle Tennessee in his class. Read his OTR featured recap HERE and highlights of him from the Coach Hemi Showcase HERE.
Please consider our senior Dennis Stallings (@dstall77 ) as your 2017-2018 TSSAA Class AA MR. Basketball finalists ?? pic.twitter.com/RYbtnDfxFH
— Whites Creek ? (@TheCreekBBall) February 5, 2018
Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. 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
