Jr. Finale: Day 2 Standouts

Jaylan Allen’s ability to control the paint with his explosive athleticism and aggressive playing style simply could not be ignored during the second day of action at the Jr. Finale. The 6-foot-6 forward possesses a remarkable frame and strength for a seventh grader and can dominate games, even without scoring, when’s he consistently focused. A talented frontcourt prospect, Allen contested shots, snagged rebounds, and protected the rim for his team and also didn’t shy away from contact in the paint. His imposing figure and fearlessness make him a constant presence on the court and his impact reaches an entirely different level when he’s competing with intensity.

Quentin Bernard’s versatility in backcourt proved extremely valuable for Top Tier Hoops, a Canadian team competing under the UPLAY Canada umbrella. A 6-foot-1 sixth grader, Bernard has excellent size for the perimeter and fills a number of different roles for his team. His variety of skills allow him to play either guard position as a facilitator or score, and he also had success playing off the ball on the wing, where he attacked defenders off the dribble and drew fouls while finishing in the lane. The Class of 2029 prospect demanded attention on Day 2 at the Jr. Finale and is a name to monitor north of the border in upcoming circuit seasons.

The DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia) region is also loaded with youth hoops talent and DNA Elite’s partnership with Baltimore-based Team Melo (Camelo Anthony’s program) has proven fruitful the last two seasons in particular. On the second day of action at Jr. Finale, 6-foot-1 perimeter prospect Camdon Cain was easily one of the top performers in the seventh-grade division. An athletic wing with a quick first-step, Cain constantly beat opponents off the bounce, and attacked the rim with wreckless abandon. His coaches clearly trust him with the ball in his hands and Cain delivered in a number of big moments, either by scoring, or finding an open teammate.

Mason Gill has been a spark for New England-based, Talented Basketball Club, through two days at the Jr. Finale. The 5-foot-3 guard actually has a bit of a size advantage against typical backcourt players in the fifth grade division and has the pedigree to match; Gill is the son of former Syracuse great Paul Harris. Gill’s balanced game has helped his club start 3-0 and the heady backcourt standout has proven himself capable of getting a bucket and also facilitating for others. Whether it be his precision shooting, deft ball-handling, or advanced court vision, Gill’s multifaceted skill set has made him a formidable match-up thus far.

If you’re looking for a good underdog storyline, Top Dog Basketball is a strong choice here at the Jr. Finale. The group of sixth-graders has a roster comprised primarily of local players from Augusta, GA and North Augusta, SC yet are holding their own against a field of national (and international)-caliber teams. Helping lead the way is point guard Donald Wyman, a quick floor general, with an uncanny ability to accelerate past defenders, and constantly force tempo with his end-to-end speed. The 5-foot-6 dynamo has court vision, is a willing passer, and provided unmatched defensive energy which helped propel his squad into the championship bracket tomorrow.