KENTUCKY PREP SHOWCASE (8TH GRADE)
If anyone ask you, if is it cold in Kentucky in October, reply with a large yes. Along with the Kentucky Prep Showcase kicking off in Florence, Kentucky. The E75P staff also had to dodge the Pittsburgh and Bengal’s fans during spurts of riots before the rival Sunday football game. Elite 75 staff had to drive almost 9 hours to cover the Kentucky prep showcase, but it was well worth it. Some of the best players the area attended the event. Such Ohio names as 7th grader 5’4 Stevie Taylor, 8th grader 5’6 Juwan Staten, 8th grader 5’4 Kenny Peen, and 8th grader 6’5 Nick Turner. Kentucky favorites were 8th grader 6’5 Dakota Euthon, 8th grader 6’2 Chad Jackson, 8th grader 6’3 Josh Sowell, 8th grader 5’10 Klye Blair, and 8th grader 5’9 Austin Flannery. Also making the camp interesting, Mike Harmon head coach of God’s Glory AAU program out of the Potomac Valley DC area, brought his crew, 8th grader 5’10 Phillip Hawkins, 8th grader 5’10 Zalmico Harmon, 8th grader 6’6 Marquis Gentry, 8th grader Antwan Pittman, 8th grader Carlos Battle, and 8th grader Lauren Coates. The showcase was also invaded by a group of United Celtics players from Charlotte, North Carolina. In attendance were 7th grader 5’9 Jacoby Davis, 7th grader 5’5 Marquise Rankin (These two played in the 2011 divisions), 8th garder 6’2 Jordan Downing, 8th grader 6’6 Manny Dias, 8th grader 6’5 Deandre Tillman, 8th grader 5’11 Reynolds Maharajh, 8th grader 5’9 Anthony Hall, 8th grader 5’3 Gary Pollard, 8th grader 6’3 Isiah Goldwire, 8th grader 6’5 Jermaine White, and 8th grader 5’7 Justin Cheeks.
There were excellent match-ups all day long. First valid match-up of the day was against the North Carolina newcomer Isiah Goldwire and the Kentucky WF strength of Josh Sowell. Both made consistent moves to the basket and shot the ball very well. Josh was an excellent floor leader and got his team involved in the match-up. Goldwire’s ability to get to the bucket was deniable, also showes versatility when he moved into the post and showed a little post action.
Other match-up was 6’6 Manny Dias from Charlotte, NC against 6’5 Nick turner from Ohio. Talk about big bodies. These guys went at it. For a big man Turner has some of the best footwork moves in the business and is able to get up and down the floor with ease. The Dias kid was a monster on the boards, with block after block. E75P staffers even eyed him one time getting the rebound, and going the length of the floor and trying to dunk on two defenders. One match-up that was rumored was the Dias and Euthon match-up, but since these two were on the same team, it didn’t happen.
Another day battle was the Ohio quick connection. The Stevie Taylor versus Kenny Peen square off. Since these two play on the same aau team, this was nothing new. Stevie has an incredible quick pull-up, and will catch you any moment off guard with a jumper. The Penn kid has sick handles and quickness. You have no idea when this kid is going to pass, funny thing is, his teammates don’t either.
Other good match-up games included:
Jawuan Staten OH
Reynolds Maharajh NC
Zalmico Harmon DC
Chad Jackson KY
Phillip Hawkins DC
Kyle Blair KY
Anthony Hall NC
Stevie Taylor OH
Justin Cheeks NC
There were no All-star Games played, only a game that consisted of the undefeated teams of the day. The Blue Team which consisted of names like, Reynolds Maharajh, Kyle Blair, Chad Jackson, and Jermaine White, and a slue of shooters including one that played with the Columbus Jags last year. And the White Team which had players such as, Dakota Euthon, Manny Dias, Phillip Hawkins, and sharp shooter Austin Flannery. After a hard first half the blue team with strong guard play and shooting, came away as the camp champions.
8th GradeAll-American Team Sections
Jordan Berlin
Mannie Diaz
Jordan Downing
Andy Earls
Dakotah Euton
Chad Jackson
Taylor Newsome
Josh Sewell
Juwan Staten
Nick Turner
8th Grade Defensive Awards
Juan Bell
Andy Earls
Zalmico Harmon Jr.
Phillip Hawkins
Juwan Staten
Kyle Bair
Elisha Justice
Scouting Services in Attendance:
Buckeye Prep Report
Elite 75 Prep
Kentucky Prep Report
