Crossroads of The South Standouts
Marc Rowe has done another solid job bringing some of the best in the Jackson, MS, and surrounding areas together for the Crossroads of The South Elite Camp. The middle school division of the camp continues to grow, and there…
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Continue ReadingMarc Rowe has done another solid job bringing some of the best in the Jackson, MS, and surrounding areas together for the Crossroads of The South Elite Camp. The middle school division of the camp continues to grow, and there were a few players that stood out, and here they are…
Stone Stogner (5’10/SG/2027)
School: Hartfield Academy
Instagram: sjstog
Twitter: @SStogner7
Stone was one of the most impressive young players at camp. He played with a lot of confidence and was not afraid of the stage. The results from his work in the lab were on display. He has good size at his age and he showed developing versatility. He handled the ball on the perimeter, moved well without the ball, and even posted on the low block. All areas are still under construction, but he did show production in each area. If he can continue working on his inside and out game and not get caught up in situations where he is stuck in the paint because of his size, he will be a young player to keep an eye on over the next couple of years to keep track of his development. As I will say about every player in this article, I will first say about Stone; he needs to continue working on all aspects of his game.
Stone was one of the most impressive young players at camp.
Terry J. Drake
Sermaji Davis (5’2/CG/2028)
School: Nicholas Middle
Instagram: Whos_maji
Twitter: @Sermaji Davis
Sermaji was possible the most skilled player at camp and had his handles on display. He is a developing wizard with the rock in his hands and was tough to contain because of his handles. Sermaji has a developing game that thrives in space and shows all indications that he will be a talented playmaker with the rock in his hands. I shared with him at the end of camp that he has an amazing ability to handle the rock but has to learn how to use his handles to get him to his spots on the floor, and not just use them in a stationary location and they not lead him to a place where he can be productive. He showed his ability to score and distribute, and as he learns to balance the two, he is going to be a budding young guard that we will keep our eyes on. He needs to continue working on all aspects of his game.
Sermaji was possible the most skilled player at camp and had his handles on display.
Terry J. Drake
Avery Gusmus (5’1/PG/2028)
School: Hancock Middle School
Instagram: averygusmus1
Twitter: N/A
Avery was one of the smallest players at camp but had a lot of heart, and he competed from the beginning to the end. When I got around to watching the young guys, Avery struggled early with his shot from behind the arc, and I originally wrote down that he needed to work on his strength in order to shoot the trey as several shots were air balls. As the game went on, he found his stroke, and he began knocking down the trey ball and I had to erase my initial notes. He handled the rock ok but will need to continue working on his craft in all areas. Avery is an alpha player and has a good understanding of the game at an early age and has already developed a knack for picking apart his opponents. As he continues to evolve, he has the foundation to grow into a talented floor general.
As he continues to evolve, he has the foundation to grow into a talented floor general.
Terry J. Drake
Gary Schwandt (5’4/PG/2027)
School: Hancock Middle School
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Gary was a highly aggressive PG that was locked in on both ends of the floor. When the ball was in his hands, he got to the cup easily. He played with a determination that was not matched. As he learns how to be under control yet keep his aggressive playing style, he is going to develop into a tough competitor for teams he will suit up for in the future. As he grows, he will have a game that will draw fouls, which will be a vital part of his offensive prowess. Defensively, he showed a willingness to defend, and he looked to take pride in his on-ball defense. Gary is a nice young developing player headed in the right direction with his development. He needs to continue working on all aspects of his game.
Gary was a highly aggressive PG that was locked in on both ends of the floor.
Terry J. Drake
Jastan Khan (5’0/CG/2029)
School: Bel-Aire Elementary
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Let me say this about Jastan: he can stroke the rock, baby. He was one of the youngest out there, but he was one of the best in the younger division when it came to production from behind the arc. He brought a lot of energy to the court, and his alert play on both ends was one of the things that kept his team in the winning column. He made big buckets and created scoring opportunities for his teammates, two good foundational tools to have in his toolbox at an early age. As expected, he has a lot to work on when it comes to his game at the PG spot but make no mistake about it, he has fundamental skills to build upon. If he continues to stay in the lab, look out for the emergence of JK into a PG that must be accounted for in opponent’s game plans. He needs to continue working on all aspects of his game.
Let me say this about Jastan: he can stroke the rock, baby.
Terry J. Drake
Jacob Tran (5’8/PF/2028)
School: St. Patrick Catholic High School Biloxi
Instagram: Jacorn14_
Twitter: N/A
Jacob had his ability to get to the cup on display from the moment I laid eyes on him. He is a slasher that knows how to maneuver thru traffic and finish at the rim. He showed some crafty finishes in the paint, which made him one of the best in the younger division at finishing. It is evident that JT is at his best right now when taking the ball into the paint and using his size to finish over smaller players. He was active on the glass throughout the day and really dominated the boards. As he continues to expand his game to efficiency and production on the perimeter, it will open the driving lanes up even more for his slashing ability. He needs to continue working on all aspects of his game.
He is a slasher that knows how to maneuver thru traffic and finish at the rim.
Terry J. Drake