Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Fort Wayne, IN (Future150) -- The 2013 Bill Hensley Memorial Run N' Slam kicked off action Friday night, and some familiar faces from the Gulf Coast Hoop Fest last weekend again stole headlines.
Perhaps the most impressive prospect of the evening was Milwaukee Running Rebels star Kevon Looney. The 6'8" forward put together an impressive performance in a hard fought win over an athletic Indiana Elite team. He is the type of player who fills the stat sheet, and he did just that on opening night.
He showed impressive post moves, knocked down jumpers from the outside, blocked shots, and showed his ability to handle the basketball in the open floor. He is very much looking like a top five prospect in the 2014 class.
Not to be outdone was his teammate, shifty point guard Damontrae Jefferson. The 5'7" speedster scored 20+ points in the win, most of which came on long range bombs. He never sees a shot he doesn't like, and can heat up in a hurry. When he's not firing from all over the floor, he is using his elite quickness and ball skills to excite the crowd and get his teammates involved.
A pleasant surprise standout in the first game of action was junior shooting guard Ernie Duncan. The Evansville Harrison High School (IN) prospect was unconscious from beyond the arc Friday night, lighting up the scoreboard for 23 points in a hard-fought loss. He handles pressure well with the ball in his hands, and makes good decisions.
In the next game of action, Team Thad rolled to a 95-75 victory over the Peoria Irish behind strong performances from two of its biggest stars.
Chris Chiozza displayed his full arsenal of skills in compiling 17 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, notching a triple-double for the victors. It was impossible for the Irish to keep him out of the lane, and he relentlessly attacked the basket, where he earned himself several trips to the foul-line throughout the game.
Small forward Riley Norris scored 21 points in the win, showcasing his perimter skills, where he knocked down four three-pointers at key points in the game. The small forward is starting to hit his stride and showing why hes a top 60 player. AKA "Mr. Versitale"
Mac Irvin Fire's 17U team is being led this weekend by 2015 point guard Jalen Brunson, who looks like the powerhouse program's next star. The 5'11" lefty has excellent feel for the game, and showed Future150 staff why he is considered one of the best sophomores in the country.
Notes:
- Indiana Elite small forward Kelan Martin continued his strong spring with a solid performance against the Milwaukee Running Rebels Friday night. The physical, 6'6" wing knocked down shots from the outside, bullied his way to the basket for scores, and rebounded the ball with intensity. He is proving to be a solid mid-major plus forward who continues to improve.
- Quentin Snider played well in his game against the Michigan Mustangs late Friday. The 6'1" lead guard flies under-the-radar in the 2014 class because of classmates Tyus Jones and Emmanuel Mudiay, but make no mistake, he is elite. His jump shot was falling last night, and when that's the case, there may not be a better point guard in the country.
- Milwaukee Hamilton (WI) wing David Burrell continues to intrigue us. The 6'6" super athlete built on his strong performance last weekend with another solid game Friday night. He rebounded the ball well, hit mid-range jump shots, and finished several plays with big dunks. He has the look of a mid-to-high major, and playing on the same high school and AAU team as Kevon Looney has definitely helped him fly under the radar. That is beginning to change.
- Future150's #29 prospect in the rising senior class, Keita Bates Diop, did nothing but help his stock on the opening night of action. The 6'7" forward was extremely active around the rim, blocked shots, and finished everything on the inside. He runs the floor gracefully and it's easy to see why Ohio State is thrilled to have his commitment. He has the ability to really blossom into a special player at the next level.
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