On September 24, 2011, The To The Hoop 3 on 3 tournament brought in high schoolers from around the region to Winston-Salem competing in round robin play and then a single elimination tournament. Here are some reports on a few of the players we saw at the event; several more we took note of and will continue to scout through the season.
Champions
9-10 Grade Division: Team Bison
Quadarius Pratt
Trevor Gay
Jhwan Foggey
Cory Hanes
11-12 Grade Division: SC Ballers
Kendrick Stukes
Hakeem Watson
Giankarlo Molina
Top Performers
Giankarlo Molina (SF, 6’5″, Thomasville Prep, 2013) – Good size/strong. Good slasher. Needs to finish better at the rim. Good defensive player who is capable of blocking shots. Good rotation and elevation on jump shot- capable of hitting a variety of shots- step backs, fade ways, dribble pull-ups and set 3’s- all against good defense. Streaky shooter- must work on consistency. Solid prospect- has potential.
Quindarius Cunningham (Guard, 6’0”, North Davidson HS, 2014) – attacks the basket hard and has good body control in air. Can finish over bigger players. Plays hard and competes. Good passer. Capable of hitting the set 3. Crashes boards; good rebounder for size. Full of energy; smart.
JaQuan McCauley (SF, 6’4”, HP Andrews) – Very strong upper body. Man amongst boys on the court. Was able to bully his way to the rim, where he could finish with contact. Was drawing double teams all day, even in a 3 on 3 tournament. Strong finisher. Plays hard- solid defensively. Good rebounder- sticks with it on boards- doesn’t give up. Good shot blocker.
KJ O’Neal (SG/SF, 6’2”, Reagan HS, 2014) – Nice touch around basket, lefty. More of a slasher than a shooter. Good defender- hard worker.
Spencer Wilson (PG, 5’6”, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2015)– High Basketball IQ. Great passer- knows proper passing angles and what pass to throw- threw no looks, back doors, and euro passes. Changes speeds well, can break man down off dribble and get to rim, where he finds the open man every time. Good ball handler with either hand- has an excellent crossover move. Pure PG who sets others up to score and puts them in scoring position. Good 3 point shooter with a quick release- nice touch and good follow through. Quick hands on defense. Needs to get stronger, but plays beyond his years.
Cory Hanes (F, 6’2”, High Point Central, 2014)– Strong finisher, able to compete and finish over bigger players inside. Creative around basket. Utilizes ball fakes. Good back to the basket game. Good with P/R situations.
Tyler Rose (SG/SF, 6’5”, Calvary Baptist, 2013)– Very good shooter, especially from 3- can hit off dribble or with feet set. Can create his own shot. Long/athletic. Can attack the basket and finish over the rim. Won the dunk contest today.
Zach Hurdle (F, 6’5”, West Stokes, 2015)– Tall and long. Knock down shooter from anywhere on the floor. Excellent pick and pop player. Can shoot off the dribble. Needs to improve defensively and get stronger. Won the 3 point contest today. Solid young prospect- definitely a player to keep an eye on.
Kendrick Stukes (G, 5’10”, Thomasville Prep) – Kendrick’s shot is much stronger; very consistent and he can hit from several ranges. Can run the offense as a true point but is also effective at the off-guard.
Players of Note
Hakeem Watson (G, 5’11”, Thomasville HS) Moves well without the ball and can score. Solid all around game. Will definitely scout again to see in full court situations.
De’Marrio Mintz (G, 5’10”, 2012, Crest Senior HS) An explosive leaper who competed and came in second in the dunk contest. Strong player and plays strong with the dribble, needs to work on outside consistency and breaking down his man off of the dribble. Can run PG or SG effectively. Would like to see him develop a deadly outside shot, which would open up the lane more for him.
Blake Gilley (SG/SF, 6’3″, 2012, East Surry) Solid shooter who can hit on the run and passes well in traffic.
More coming soon on this event, including dunk contest video!