Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Neptune, NJ (Future150) -- Mike Melton's Basketball Spotlight 'Clash For The Cup' again proved to be a loaded event and a must-attend weekend for youth hoop lovers in the Mid-Atlantic corridor, as several of the elite programs in the region came to do battle in New Jersey. Saturday gave us several interesting storylines to follow as we roll through 2018. What resonated most with us today?
Team Loaded Backcourt Living Up To Its Name
Off to a 2-0 start in pool play, Team Loaded (VA) looks like one of the frontrunners in the 8th grade division early on, thanks in large part to their backcourt tandem of Trey Thomas & Rodney Rice. The 6-foot Thomas had it going offensively on Saturday, especially in his night game, where his ball skills and mid-range shooting were particularly impressive. As of right now, he told Future150 that he'll be heading to Bishop McNamara (MD) in the fall to begin his high school career.
Sprouting from 5'10" to 6'2" since last winter, Rice is also quite an impressive point guard, and does a great job of sharing the load with his talented backcourt mate. He's a talented slasher and distributor who is considering WCAC schools such as Bishop O'Connell & Gonzaga College for the fall. Right now, the talented backcourt is certainly one of the elites in the class nationally.
New York City Forward Making Positive Strides
A young prospect for his grade last year while part of the 2021 class, Chisom Okpara made the decision this year to make the move to 2022, and it's looking like it is doing wonders for his development. Just shy of 6'5" now with improving ball skills and an evolving face-up game to go with an impressive low block game, it's easy to love what the forward can bring to the table in the future. Look for him to continue to improve his perimeter skills this spring.
2024 Big Man Making Noise
East Coast Elite (NY) post Tarik Watson has been impressive again in front of our staff. He first burst onto the radar at MADE Hoops Winter League two weekends ago, sporting an awesome frame for a 2024 prospect in the 6'2", 185-pound range. Well, in both events that we've viewed him in January, he's shown himself to be a constant double-double threat in the post and certainly looks like one of the best 6th graders nationally at this point.
RJ Greene Looks Like The Next PSA Cardinals Standout Wing
We first got our eyes on the 6'2" wing prospect last winter, and over the past 12 months he's grown and improved his game on both ends of the floor. He's currently the main offensive option on the Cardinals 8th grade team, and he's trending toward becoming the next standout wing to emerge from the program. A talented offensive scorer, once he decides to
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