ETBU Team Camp Standouts

<p>Day one of the team camp at ETBU saw three north Louisiana teams step on the floor during the morning sessions. C. E. Byrd, Mansfield, and Airline saw action against Texas teams such as Mt. Pleasant, Pleasant Grove, and Chapel Hill. Each team had a player that stood out above the others. Those players were our team camp standouts at East Texas Baptist University.</p> <p><strong>Brayden Thompson / 6'5" / Airline / 2020</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/08/Brayden-Thompson.jpg"></a></p> <p>The Vikings played the best game of the morning against Mt. Pleasant (TX).  While they did lose on a sudden death free throw, the play of Brayden Thompson gave them a great chance to win.  Thompson was all over the offensive and defensive boards for the Vikings.  He created multiple possessions on offense and was a catalyst for the Airline fastbreak with his outlet passes.  Like most rebounders, if he is not blocked out he can cause major problems.  That is exactly what he did on Monday morning.  On the offensive end, Thompson also showed the ability to take people off the dribble and score with relative ease.  He did that while making several rebound putbacks.  Look for Thompson to continue his standout play during day 2 and the Benton team camp later in the week.  </p> <p><strong>Trenton Colbert / 6'7" / Mansfield / 2021 (pictured above - photo cred by Edgar)</strong></p> <p>Another north Louisiana big man who had a big game was Wolverine big Trenton Colbert.  His team was undermanned but Colbert played well on offense and defense.  He is a shot blocker and rebounder who gets his hands on everything.  On one play, he guarded the underneath inbounds pass and was athletic enough to get out and block the three point attempt.  Even on the offensive end, he attacks the glass and gathers almost every rebound.  His wing span is extremely long so rebounds and put backs are somewhat easy.  Look for Colbert to continue evolving as he gets more comfortable handling on the perimeter.  Once he adds that to his game, the sky is the limit for this kid.  </p> <p><strong>Zaveion Okoh / 6'1" / Mt. Pleasant / 2021</strong></p> <p>Okoh was a big reason why Mt. Pleasant got two early wins against Mansfield and Airline during the early morning sessions.  Just looking at him, one would think he is a slow, methodlical guard.  Once the game gets going, he is a handful to deal with.  Okoh is smart and uses the dribble to get where he needs to effectively.  He is also pretty good at knocking down open jumpers when the ball is reversed.  Okoh does not try to make the spectacular play but the right basketball play.  He is rarely in a rush except when Mt. Pleasant is in their press.  He made two steals just off reading and reacting to passes like a defensive back.  Mt. Pleasant is in good hands when Okoh has the ball.  He does his best to make heady, winning plays.  </p> <p><strong>T'vondrick Henry / 6'3" / Pleasant Grove / 2021</strong></p> <p>Henry kept up his exceptional play, from the summer, with his performance against C.E. Byrd.  When Henry was in the game, the offense was a little more crisp in the halfcourt.  Of course it helps when there is someone on the floor that can breakdown a defense.  Henry found himself with the ball and got by his initial defender with straight line drives.  When he was not driving to the cup in the halfcourt, he was taking advantage of the Yellow Jackets trapping defense.  This resulted in dunks and several other open court displays of his athleticism.  His outside shot was a little off.  However, Henry does not shoot too many jumpers because he gets past everyone.  Look for him to move up the rankings in Texas if he carries this play into the season.   </p> <p><strong>Kevin Lemons, Jr. / 6'2" / C.E. Byrd / 2020</strong></p> <p>One defender that found success guarding Henry and other perimeter players was Kevin Lemons, Jr.  Lemons played the top of the Byrd halfcourt zone and one of the backcourt trapping guards on defense.  He deflected several passes and stole others.  Many players had a difficult time trying to drive around him due to his lateral quickness.  On offense, he was the main facilitator and helped Byrd score on their offensive sets.  In the open floor, he found forward <strong>Darrion Glover </strong>for several finishes at the rim.  Lemons drove the car effectively during his stints on the floor with other Yellow Jacket players.  To be honest, they played their best with him on the floor.  Outside of Byrd, I could see Lemon getting a call if AAU teams want to bolster their roster for national tournaments next month.  He could help a club on both sides of the ball.  </p> <p>Team camp play ends this week.  Grassroots tournaments will pick back up in July with GASO live tourneys, Peach Jam, the UAA Finals, and other national competitions.  Hopefully these players will finish on a high note this summer.  </p>