Asbury Elite Camp Standouts
Asbury University hosted its program’s first ever Elite Camp last week at the Eagles’ Luce Center in Wilmore, KY. With 50 juniors and seniors in the house, players represented Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Here, Prep Hoops Kentucky takes a look at 2019 and 2020 performers from the Bluegrass State that stood out at camp:
2019 Class:
Hunter Hollingsworth, Whitley County (6’2, Guard)
Hollingsworth was super competitive and showed a ton of toughness throughout the day. At 6’2, he’s athletic enough to play at any small college level (NAIA, D2/D3). As a junior, Hollingsworth averaged 14.6 points per game while shooting 56% from the field. He was able to show off that type of scoring efficiency at the camp as well.
Nick Martin, Knox Central (6’6, Forward)
Throughout the day, one couldn’t help but compare Nick Martin to current Asbury player and NAIA 1st Team All-American Trenton Thompson. Martin showed an ability to play inside and out. Inside, he was very strong and scored it very well. In one rebounding drill, Martin caught the ball in mid-air with his head at the rim and had a very impressive put-back dunk (Martin is also a touted college football recruit). The Knox Central forward also showed he could knock down jump shots and score from different spots on the floor. Look for Martin to have a huge senior season.
Trey Meister, Scott (6’3, Wing)
Meister showed an array of skills throughout the day. He was an above average shooter, handled the ball very well, and showed an ability to get to the basket and finish among the trees. Meister led Scott in scoring as a junior last season, averaging just under 15 points per game.
Dakota Walden, Daviess County (6’2, Guard)
Walden was an absolute joy to watch, and surprised quite a few in attendance. As a junior and the fourth option at Daviess County last season, Walden averaged just under 10 points per game – which, of course, isn’t shabby. But if Walden approaches his senior year the way he approached Elite Camp, watch out. He could turn himself into a top player in the region. The lefty shot the ball really well, handled the ball with a lot of control and played extremely well in transition.
Taj Sanders, Campbellsville (6’0, Guard)
Sanders is a strong, athletic combo guard who attacks the glass with a purpose. The Campbellsville guard led the team in scoring as a junior last season, averaging just under 13 points per game. He also shot just over 50% from the field.
Jocobi Hendricks, Louisville Waggener (5’10, Guard)
Hendricks played with one of the best motors at the camp. Constantly moving on offense and very active on defense. Hendricks also showed an ability to distribute the ball and find teammates that, not even they knew were open. With an ability to break down defenders and get to the rim, if Hendricks can find a more consistent jumper his game will take off. Jocobi was the second leading scorer at Waggener last season behind Jaago Kalakon, averaging just under 10 a game.
Kyle Stivers, Franklin County (6’2, Guard)
Stivers shot the ball well from all over the floor, and finished strong at the rim. The Franklin County guard has gotten stronger and faster, allowing him to get past his defender and get open looks for him and his teammates. Stivers led the Flyers in scoring as a junior, averaging just under 14 points per game.
Jacob Seawright, Spencer County (5’11, Guard)
Shooter! It seemed like every time you turned your eyes unto Seawright’s court he was draining 3’s. Seawright made close to 70 3’s as a junior in high school last season, shooting right at 40% from the field.
Tommy Ratterman, Bellevue
At 6’4, Ratterman showed an ability to score inside and out. The Bellevue forward does something that will find him minutes on any floor, and that is he shoots it very well from deep. As proof, he shot 40% from 3 as a junior, knocking down 91 on the season.
Connor Roberts, Pikeville (6’0, Guard)
Talk about hustle! Connor Roberts was everywhere. A combo guard, Roberts shot it well from the floor and got just about anything he wanted at the rim (thanks to his quickness, which also helps make him a touted college football recruit). Roberts constantly had eyes down the floor looking for scoring opportunities for he and his teammates.
Pete Knochelmann, Holy Cross (6’8, Center)
If Knochelmann can work on his offensive skill set just a bit more, he could turn himself into a very nice small college big man. He had a clear presence in the post and showed a knack for finding and rebounding the basketball.
2020 Class:
Chad Fugate, Madison Southern (6’0, Guard)
Fugate averaged just under 10 points per game as a sophomore last season at Madison Southern and did a number of things at the Elite Camp that made him stand out. Played extremely hard and did so many things that keep players on the floor. Look for Fugate to have a breakout season with Madison Southern and new head coach Austin Newton.
Anthony Tabor, Woodford County (5’11, Guard)
Woodford County made the 11th Region tournament last season and, even as a sophomore, Anthony Tabor played a huge role in that – and gives the Yellow Jackets a reason to be excited going forward. Tabor was super quick and showed off a good basketball IQ. He showed an improved jump shot and defended the ball well.
Sam Bearden, Holy Cross (6’5, Forward)
Bearden has great size for a rising junior and hit the boards like a mad man at the Elite Camp. He showed he could defend the pick and roll very well and scored it well in the post also. As a sophomore at Holy Cross, Bearden averaged just over 10 points and 4 boards a game.
Luke Dawalt, Grant County (6’4, Forward)
At 6’4, DeWalt also has good size for a rising junior. An above average rebounder, can score inside and out – and showcased an ability to shoot it from different spots on the floor. Once DeWalt’s motor improves his game can/will really take off. The Grant County forward led the Braves in points and rebounding, averaging 13.5 and 9 per game.
Drew Manning, Louisville Collegiate (6’0, Guard)
Manning is another 2020 guard that plays with a lot of moxie. The junior-to-be averaged 8 points per game as a sophomore, but Manning is shooting the ball much better from 3 and will no doubt have a much bigger role with Louisville Collegiate next season.
Brayden Sebastian, Garrard County (6’5, Guard)
6’5 and playing the wing, watch out for Brayden Sebastian. As a sophomore he led Garrard County in points and rebounds, averaging 15.6 and 8.4 per game. At camp he showed an ability to score it in a number of different ways and knows how to really get his teammates involved.
Jared Courtney, Franklin County (6’1, Guard)
At camp, Courtney shot the ball really well and showed a high basketball IQ. He also plays extremely hard. Courtney averaged just under 11 points per game last season as a sophomore, which was second on the team in scoring. He also shot over 42% from the field. Look for Courtney and senior Kyle Stivers to have a huge impact on Franklin County’s success next season.