April 2-3 Big Shots Baltimore Final 4 @ Leadership Through Athletics Wrap Up

Baltimore, MD - While the stars of today played in Houston, the of stars of tomorrow played in Baltimore.

Big Shots Baltimore Final 4 was simply explosive and acted as the gateway to Big Shots DC Assault at Capital Sports Complex in District Heights, MD April 9-10 that is expecting over +140 teams. The little boys with the big shorts took center stage first delivering a fast paced high scoring performance. Randallstown Running Rebels 11U and their diamond and one full court VCU style pressure took down VA Elite Perry 11U with a double-digit victory 50-27. The Rebels had brilliant performances from Adrian Baldwin and Tyler Cameron who finished with 10 points and 7 points. Next in the championship series Charles Okehie and the Baltimore Elite Panthers 13U withstood a feisty battle from Howard County Elite 13U and company. The Panthers claimed an early lead with full court pressure and never took their foot off the petal with a comfortable 24-point lead going into halftime. The battle for the 14U crown was spectacular with powerhouses Cecil Kirk 14U battling Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U. Fast paced, high energy, and a true battle of the undersized guards. The Panthers were able to pull it out 61-58 with the hard playing of the big 3 Khalil Richard, Maurice Simpson, and Demitrick Williams who had 44 points combined. In another close game in championship series Cecil Kirk 15U and crew faced Team Takeover Marshall 15U. Steffen Davis led the charge for Takeover finishing with 20 points and Cecil Kirk just couldn’t match the balanced scoring falling to Takeover 60-41. Maryland 3D Basketball 16U faced off against Team Takeover 16U in a bout that was decided in overtime by Zachary Fong tournament MVP who finished with 25. Despite an outstanding performance by Aaron Brown who finished with 25, his efforts just weren’t enough knocking off 3D 62-59. The final game of the championship series was a back and forth battle between Southern Maryland Select 17U against Chester Panthers 17U. Southern Maryland bringing in 2 of the tournaments top 5 scorers Royce Hunsberger and Brandon Teston. Despite the duo’s best efforts it just wasn’t enough as Southern Maryland fell to Chester 72-66.

17U All Tournament

MVP – Parris Ridgeway-Higgs – Chester Panthers 17U

Lionel Greene – Cecil Kirk 17U

Royce Hunsberger – Southern Maryland Select 17U

Michael Granham – DC Assault 17U

Brandon Teston – Southern Maryland Select 17U

Erikk Wright – Chester Panthers 17U

16U All Tournament

MVP – Zachary Fong – Team Takeover 16U

Lavon Long – Maryland 3D Basketball 16U

Aaron Brown – Maryland 3D Basketball 16U

Julian Diggs – Basics 1^st Basketball 16U

Justin Beck - Maryland Sure Shots 16U

Michael Anderson – Loudoun Triple Threat Gold-Metz 16

15U All Tournament

MVP – Steffen Davis – Team Takeover Marshall 15U

Corey Martin – Maryland 3D Basketball 15U

Jordan McNeil – Maryland 3D Basketball 15U

Deondre Kennedy – Cecil Kirk 15U

Stephen Brown – Team Takeover Marshall 15U

Torrey Dixon – Team Takeover Marshall 15U

14U All Tournament

MVP – Khalil Richard – Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U

Maurice Simpson – Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U

Marcel Thompson – Maryland 3D Basketball 14U

Kyle Hillian – Loudoun County Bulls 14U

Teion James – Cecil Kirk 14U

Montique Wright – Cecil Kirk 14U

13U All Tournament

MVP – Charles Okehie – Baltimore Elite Panthers 13U

Daquan Bracey – Baltimore Elite Panthers 13U

Nicholas Tates – Baltimore Elite Panthers 13U

Brandon Willis – Howard County Elite 13U

Elijah Boyd – Germantown Hardknocks Elite 13U

DaJuan Honeyblue – Baltimore Elite Panthers 13U

11U All Tournament

MVP – Adrian Baldwin – Randallstown Running Rebels 11U

Tyler Camerom – Randallstown Running Rebels 11U

Marcus Stephens – VA Elite Perry 11U

Rick Jennings – VA Elite Perry 11U

Judah Jordan – Randallstown Running Rebels 11U

Dorian Carter – Randallstown Running Rebels 11U

Big Shots Performers:

Lionel Greene 6’2 G 2012 (Cecil Kirk 17U/ John Carroll HS/ Baltimore, MD)

The talented John Carroll’s guard laced up in Big Shots and shined. He is a next generation athlete that is an explosive leaper. Lionel is a left handed pure athlete who can soar through the lane and finish above the rim. Constantly attacking the offense glace for the rebound and flying high to get the defensive rebounds. He is insanely crafty getting to the rim and his agility is equivalent to a high-level caliber Pac 10 or Big East guard. His ability to create for others under control in transition is another one of his fine qualities. Lionel is a versatile player that can run the show at point or can be moved to the 2 spot and still make an impact. Despite his athletic ability he is a questionable consistent shooter. If he increases his consistency and accuracy he has a chance to be a high level talent.

Evaluation: 87

Khalil Richard 5’9 G 2016 (Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U/ Parkville Middle School/ Baltimore MD)

Simply he is Carmelo Anthony in a 7^th graders body. He is a husky guard that has size and is a mid-game specialist. His power and change of speeds allows him to get to the cup at will and finish after contact. He has an unsurpassed change of direction and the ability to rise up and knock down tough mid-range shots. To reach that top level he needs to improve his consistency beyond 15 feet and his level of range. He has the goods to be a high level talent.

Evaluation: 85

Demitrick Williams 6’4 F 2015 (Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U / Dunbar HS / Baltimore MD)

Lengthy big that even he grows anymore he is going to be a high talent. Constantly going after every rebound on the offensive glass. A player that plays within himself and even at a young age understands the angles of the low post. Terrific help side defender that has former VCU forward Larry Sanders length and blocks anything that comes his way. He is a questionable shooter 15 feet and beyond, but if he develops an Amare Stoudamire mid-range jumper he can be a great addition at any level.

Evaluation: 84

Teion James 5’7 G 2015 (Cecil Kirk 14U / St. James and John / Baltimore MD)

He is a next generation Damon Stoudemire. Teion is a lefty, finisher, scorer, and creator. He drives the ball with a purpose and understands the angles to attack. He never goes out of control on offense and handles pressure in the backcourt. He would be a great addition to any up-tempo team that needs a smart point guard with a high IQ and speed.

Evaluation: 82

Montique Wright 5’9 G 2014 (Cecil Kirk 14U / Dunbar Middle / Baltimore MD)

One word, “Shooter.” Montique is the player you can’t leave open, because he has range and is consistent. Has the athleticism to attack the rim, but being as great a shooter at Montique is he never has to settle for just being labeled a driver. Montique has played in previous Big Shots events in the past and he has been in consistent in his maturity and has improved.

Evaluation: 81

Steffen Davis 5’11 G 2013 (Team Takeover 15U / Maret / Fairfax VA)

He is a player that is constantly denied by opponents so he doesn’t go on a scoring frenzy. Steffen is a versatile player that can handle pressure in the backcourt and has an even better poise in the frontcourt.

Evaluation 82

Aaron Brown 6’2 G 2013 (Maryland 3D Basketball 16U / Meade / Baltimore MD)

He is a left driver with incredible turn and strength. When he lowers his shoulder and picks his spot on the floor to drive there really isn’t much you can do defensively to stop him. What separates himself from his opponent on his drive game is not necessarily his vertical leap but his ability to extend his long arms to finish. Despite his jet like quickness in transition and ability to finish in traffic he is a questionable outside shooter especially beyond the 3 point arc.

Evaluation: 84

Lavon Long 6’7 F 2013 (Maryland 3D Basketball 16U / Mount St. Joseph / Baltimore MD)

He is a forward in a guards body. He dominates with a big body inside presence but has the offensive footwork and handles of a perimeter player. He has the most active hands of any forward that Big Shots has ever had. Despite his versatile body he needs an education on the angles of defense and how to stay in front of perimeter players if he is going to be a high level talent. Defensively he continuously forced his opponent to the wrong direction and needs to use his inside presence more offensively.

Evaluation: 81

Brandon Teston 6’5 G 2011 (Southern Maryland Select 17U / Great Mills HS / St. Marys County MD)

Brandon is a pure shooter that plays with a high intensity and has a scorer’s mindset. He isn’t afraid of playing against the top names in the tournament or afraid of getting his nose into the fight. He battles for every loose ball and every rebound like he has a point to prove. His can stroke it from the mid-range and has an even better stroke from long range. Despite his ability to shoot the ball he has questionable driving ability under pressure and is little undersized at his position.

Evaluation: 80

Parris Ridgeway-Higgs 5’11 G 2012 (Chester Panthers 17U / Hodgson Vo-Tech / Newark, DE)

He is a true point guard with natural quick handles and lightening foot speed. He has a flow about his game that can manipulate the speed of the game and has the ability to control tempo. He is a player that has a high IQ, but one of the only negative attributes about his game is his size. Quick small guards are a dime a dozen and he must do a better job separating himself from the pack by continuing to be a high assist low turnover guy and a threat on the offensive end.

Evaluation: 83

Erikk Wright 6’3 G 2012 (Chester Panthers 17U / Chester HS / Chester PA)

He is an athletic wing with an incredible first step. He blows by opponents and can finish with contact. He is a player that runs on his toes and delivers an impact performance every time he laces up. Despite his athletic ability he needs to continuously improve his jump shot and ball handling skills to reach that next level.

Evaluation: 82

Quintin Judd 6’4 SG 2012 (Cecil Kirk 17U / Baltimore Polytechnic Institut / Baltimore MD)

He is a 6'4 versatile guard that can score at will 15 feet and in. He has a high level step back and fade away. However despite his ability to score close range he is a questionable long distance shooter and he has questionable consistency of handling the ball. When he slows down and chooses his spots on the court he is hard to stop, but even though he might have the ability to get to the rim he confuses quickness for chaos.

Evaluation: 84

Juwan Wells 6’7 F 2012 (Southern Maryland Select 17U / La Plata / La Plata MD)

He is a lengthy forward that has range beyond the 3-point arc. He can hit the tough shots with pressure, but what really completes his game is his size and ability to score off the catch. Despite his size he is a questionable defender and doesn’t have the strength to guard in the post quite yet and he doesn’t have the foot speed to keep quicker guards in front of him.

Evaluation: 83

Notes:

* Running Rebels. Randallstown Running Rebels 11U Tyler Camerom and Adrian Baldwin are two stars to be on the look out for. Both are lefties, passionate, and play with an IQ high above their years. Adrian is an active defender and knock down outside shooter. Tyler has the lengthy body that is similar to a young former Georgetown forward Stanley Robinson.

* Panthers on the Prowl. Baltimore Elite Panthers 13U show potential to be one of the top teams in the Maryland area led by incredible guard play. Fundamentally the crew is insanely raw but potential is on the horizon. Daquan Bracey, emulates a raw Marquette Dwyane Wade, Nicholas Tates, similar to a former Illinois star Dee Brown, and Tournament MVP Charles Okehie with his size and strength similar to former NBA Star Charles Oakley. Baltimore Elite Panthers 15U is fueled by the speed and quickness of the guard play. Ryan Lee, Elijah Bailey, Khalil Richard are among the rising stars in the years to come.

Honorable Mention:

*Maurice Simpson (Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U), Fernando Carvail (Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U), Demitrick Williams (Baltimore Elite Panthers 14U), Gary Jefferson (Cecil Kirk 14U), Dawan Bass (Baltimore Elite Pathers 14U), Torrey Dixon (Team Takeover Marshall 15U), Derrick Winder (Cecil Kirk 15U), Ian Douse (Team Takeover Marshall 16U), Derrick Stewart (Chester Panthers 17U), Juwan Wells (Southern Maryland Select 17U)