(Held March 25th-26th)
We
have simply continued to host this event because it has become a valuable tool
for Club Programs to size up their roster & honestly evaluate their
strength & weakness! Our Illinois Warrior’s out-fit actually used this
event every year as a tune-up for the rigors of our national circuit. In 1994
we started the Jamboree at Blue Island rec center with a bunch from the famed
1998 Class, head-lined by: Quentin Richardson, Brian Wardle, Corey Maggette,
Cordell Henry, Dennis Gates, Bobby Simmons, and Rod Thompson. Yada, yada, yada…
Anyways my young guys descended into Plainfield over the week-end armed and
ready. Most of them as of now aren’t affiliated with a shoe company, but they
are passionate and filled with hope and optimism while building and developing
their brand the right way. As a gate keeper in my State, I feel honored to have
the opportunity to empower them and cast my younger coaches in a good light,
despite any negative challenges they encounter. “Now we will give a short
observation on each program.”
The Chicago Demons arrived with the 17’s, 16’s, and 15’s program founder Vince
Carter, a longtime friend, has the longest tenure of any programs in the area
and has the Demons on an up-start, establishing itself as one of the premier
& prouder organizations in the Chicagoland. The father & son tandem of
Mike Horton Sr & Jr (who I envy) coaches & manages the 17 group. Their
contingent of Naseer Turner (Kenwood) Javion May (Hope Academy) Antwone Lampkin
(Wells) Brandon Whiteside (Glenbard South) Zion Fortune (St. Laurence) and Kobe
Mapp turned some heads during their 2-game outing. We envision the talent they
assembled, should give them the opportunity to have a quality Summer. Patrick
Steward manages the 16-U Chicago Demons they received strong performances from
Lincoln Park duel: Terrance Shannon a 6-6 Soph and flashy point-guard Tujantae
Williams. Their 15-U team went 2-0 coached by Vince Carter.
The
RWA Program has a nice mix prospects comprised from around the state,
which is the correct way to build a travel club. The architects behind the
operation are Antoine Jennings & Walt Fisher. Their collaboration just may
be the right ingredient for a success run. RWA’s 17’s need consistent
guard play each outing & Kani Acree a six foot six wing from Carbondale
made the track, he opened some eyes with his perimeter shooting; George Conditt
IV, a 6-11 Junior forward from Corliss looked silky-smooth, some signs point to
him having a break-out summer as he continues to work on his game. Speedy guard
Tristian Jass of Kenosha’s Tremper High hand some moments where he shined. They
have talent (Walt & A.J) now they have blend the mix together and coach
them up.
RWA’s 16’s filled a squad of under-rated prospects and performed like their
Spring/Summer could be promising. St. Viator’s 6-5-Soph Antonio Harvey and
sharp shooter Adam Taylor from Providence Catholic, were good looking
prospects. 6-9-Frosh Nate Seputis from Lincoln Way East could develop into one
best front-court players we’ve seen in the South Suburbs in years. A.J. Palmer
out of Romeoville was hobbled by injury. Young & Reckless Program
veered in with a wealth of talent at the 17-U level and the two 15-U teams on
hand had a collection of youngsters ready to illustrate what kind of game they
could orchestrate. Stan & Jay seem to have their program in full steam now,
forging closer to shoe company programs The Fire, Mean Streets,
and The Wolves especially with plucking talented prospects. The 17’s
rode in with Hillcrest’s Bobby Harvey a 6-4 wing, who shot-it-well. Maurice
Cammander (Marist) 6-9 Isa McGuire (Lindblom) looked sleek. The guy who caught
most observers’ attention was Mather’s 2017 forward Dolapo Olayinka. The six
foot seven lefty could just be the late bloomer we’ve often pegged him to
become. His game is rapidly improving, especially on the perimeter. Prep-school
seems to be his route. Sam Schafer a 6 foot 4 wing guard was impressive during
his Spot-Lite debut. Lincoln-Way East Jr. should climb into the Top 25 casting
in the 2018 Class.
TO BE CONTINUED..
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