ZG NERR NE Hoop Festival: Varsity Division Standouts Part 1

On Saturday, I attended the Zero Gravity Northeast Hoop Festival. I posted up at the Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA and watched a bunch of the varsity teams play (most of which were competing in the American division).   As always, it's impossible to watch every team and every player, so these are SOME guys that stood out after watching SOME of the teams on Saturday.   Part two will be coming tonight, and parts three and four will be coming tomorrow.    Chess has the physical tools and athleticism of a high major D1 combo guard, but he's only a junior in high school; he even looks a lot bigger since the last time I saw him, which was only a couple of months ago. Offensively, he uses his physical tools to overpower shorter defenders and out-quick larger ones, and he's got a nice-looking skillset to round it all out. Defensively, he applies the clamps and is very versatile as a result of his athletic gifts and motor. I can't envision a world where Chess isn't a D1 prospect, and a high major situation is even on the table.     Webb is an incredibly intriguing long-term prospect who looks to have his best basketball ahead of him. He's skilled and cerebral with the ball in his hands and can even hit the outside shot, but he's still learning how to fully use his 6-foot-9 frame on the inside (although he had some really nice, powerful finishes with his right hand off the glass). The junior's handle is almost definitely going to improve within the next couple years, and Webb should be getting some D2 and low D1 scholarship offers in short order. I could also see very high level D3.     Hidalgo is a complete blur on the basketball court both offensively and defensively. He blows by defenders effortlessly with his lightning-quick first step and can finish athletically over the trees with both hands. Defensively, he's a 94-foot pest, constantly beating offensive players to the spot and taking their cookies when they try to cross over. Height will be his limiting factor but there will be plenty of D3 programs out there that are willing to take a chance on him, and maybe even some D2's who are looking for a spark plug.     Stoermer is a classic, old school big man with solid footwork in the lane, good finishing ability with both hands, and a good understanding of when and how to screen. However, he's also got some new-age big-man skills; he can shoot it from three and is also a good passer from the high post. As only a junior, he's got a physical profile that could develop into what might be a very intriguing, high-level D3 big man at the NESCAC level (if he has the grades). Smart player who should definitely get stronger in the next couple years.     For his height (legit 6-foot-10) and age, Carty is a lot beefier and stronger than most. The lateral mobility and quickness will always be a weakness of his – as it is for many 6-foot-10 centers – but his ability to finish around the rim and be a force in the paint makes up for it. His size alone will draw scholarship interest, and there isn't a better coach to learn from than former NBA big man Brian Scalabrine, who coaches him for White Mamba. Wouldn't be shocked if Carty leaves the MIAA shortly.     Walker is one of the best all-around athletes I saw at the Hoop Fest. He's a special end-to-end driver who's a complete freight train with the ball in his hands once he secures the defensive rebound. And when he gets into the paint, he uses incredible strength, jumping ability and body control to move defenders and finish above or through them with both hands. His shot is a bit odd looking, but Walker will find a college fit based on his athleticism, conditioning and defensive versatility. Scholarship hoops is not off the table, but I would predict high level D3.

On Saturday, I attended the Zero Gravity Northeast Hoop Festival. I posted up at the Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA and watched a bunch of the varsity teams play (most of which were competing in the American division).