Metro State Team Camp: Friday Afternoon Standouts
The June team season is in full swing, and dozens of programs got the month started Friday at the Metro State Team Camp, which runs through Sunday.
Here were some standouts from the first day of action we saw, which ran from about noon to 4 p.m.:
John Harge, 6-8 2018 forward, Smoky Hill
When Harge is engaged and playing hard, there are few in the state who can do what he does. Harge had at least six dunks during Smoky Hill’s victories over Evergreen and Faith Christian. On one play, he extended his defense onto the perimeter, stole the ball and cruised in for a hammer. He also threw down a dunk off a nice backdoor lob toss from point guard Quinten Rock. Harge, who has dealt with injuries at times in his career, looked good Friday with a lot of bounce in his step. Smoky also got strong performances out of Rock and rising senior wing Kyle Cabs.
It was a big day for @jharge23 at @MetroStateMBB camp today. Here are a few highlights … pic.twitter.com/qyzq8WPMUW
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) June 3, 2017
Tanner Giles, 6-0 2019 guard, Chaparral
The lefty, who saw limited varsity action as a sophomore, looks like he’s already pushing hard for a contributing spot on a Wolverines team that will enter the 2017-18 season with high expectations. The lefty guard has some craftiness to his game, and he showed an ability to create off the dribble Friday in victories over Rampart and Faith Christian. Giles knows he needs to continue to get stronger, but he’s got a nice arenas of offensive skills and can shoot it.
Devin Carter, 6-0 2020 guard, George Washington
Carter is playing consistent basketball to begin the summer. Carter had a real nice game Wednesday in a narrow loss to Smoky Hill to open the Overland Summer League schedule, and he performed well again Friday in G-Dub’s win over Skyview. Carter, the son of former Denver Nuggets guard Anthony Carter, can really shoot the ball from the outside. He has a consistent form that produces a true high-arching shot. On top of that, he just always seemed to be in the mix Friday, forcing turnovers, making extra passes and contesting shots.
Dawson Carper, 6-11 2018 center, Rampart
Carper is really starting to grow into a frame he was still adjusting to early in his high school career. Now more than 18 months removed from a major knee injury he suffered as a sophomore, Carper is fresh and constantly improving. He dominated the paint Friday, showing improved patience and trust in his footwork once he caught the ball in the post. One big improvement we’re seeing from this time last season is that he’s trying to finish everything strong at the rim. As a result, he’s getting to the line a lot more. Carper drew some Division I attention this spring while playing on the Under Armour circuit for Oklahoma Run PWP, and he recently went on visits to Stanford and Saint Mary’s. Offers could be on their way with a strong July.
TJ Boykins, 5-6 2019 point guard, Douglas County
Boykins showed the clutch gene fans of his father, former NBA Earl Boykins, grew accustomed to. Boykins made one big shot after another down the stretch of a victory over Cherokee Trail. Undeterred by being undersized, Boykins is great at being in attack mode without forcing the issue and he showed great ability to finish once he got to the rim by being crafty and using his quickness to avoid defenders. He had roughly 20 points in the big win.