i95Ballerz.com NHSI All Star squads
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Talk about talent...
April 16, 2012 - Finally, the i95Ballerz.com, National High School Invitational All Star teams are here. They were compiled with positions in mind. Enjoy!
MVP
Montverde's Kasey Hill.
Kasey Hill –Montverde Academy, 6’1”,
170 pound junior guard – Clearly the tournament’s best player
(male or female). Got to the rim almost at will, particularly out of pick
and roll situations. Can pull up for spot up for long range jumpers. Willl
score off floaters too.
According to his coach, Kevin Boyle, has started to embrace defense – seemed a capable and willing defender. Level headed, always makes the right play. University of Florida commit must get stronger to withstand bumps on drives at the next level.
Based on NHSI play, Hill is special.
Ishmail Wainright – Montrose Christian, 6’6”, 220 pound junior swingman – A power player, Wainwright attacks off the bounce with force, rebounds, and can initiate an offense, generally making good plays with the ball for others.
Must get quicker laterally, while also employing a bit more ‘wiggle’
in his drive game.
Brandon Ashley – Findlay Prep, 6’9”, 215 pound
senior forward – Ashley put Findlay on his back in the championship
game, eviscerating Montverde in the paint off post ups. Can spin over
either shoulder. Accepts contact.
Would like to see more from 15 feet plus, which would make him more dangerous in college game. Also has to get stronger for collegiate banging. Is headed to Arizona.
Ish Wainwright, shooting at the cup.
Nigel Williams-Goss –Findlay Prep, 6’4”, 185 pound junior guard – Was slated for second team status, but defense against Hill in key situations catapulted him to first squad. Is a point guard that loves to strap up defensively. Can hit the open three ball. Thinks the game, particularly on defense.
Must get a little quicker off the bounce, thereby opening
up his dribble drive game.
Michael Carrera – Montrose Christian, 6’6”,
205 pound senior forward – Likely the tourney’s hardest worker
inside, Carrera is a fierce rebounder who simply gets it done through
effort – he beats guys to spots, is always in motion, and accepts
contact. Basically, Carrera is relentless.
Offensively, at his height he must score on more than stick backs and short shots through contact, which means mid-range shooting is necessary. Add to that base a one, two, three dribble pull up game, to needed development.
Second Team
Madison Jones – Ravenscroft, 6’1”, 150 pound senior point guard – Jones is a guy that upon first glance, doesn’t wring out ‘baller’. But when you watch him play, there is no doubt he is. Can drive, dish and shoot. Has sneaky athleticism. Most importantly, Jones is a floor leader, a coach on the hardwood.
His recent commitment to Wake Forest (ACC) over the disparate likes of Seton Hall (BIG EAST), North Carolina Central (MEAC), East Carolina (Conference USA), Richmond (A10) and others speaks to the wide spread opinion on Jones. Watching him play in the NHSI, it was clear added strength will solidify him as a true high major sleeper.
Isaiah Briscoe is a bruising, precocious guard.
Isaiah Briscoe– St. Benedicts, 6’3”,
190 pound freshman guard – As a frosh, the sky’s the limit
for Briscoe, a rugged guard that scores at the rim or from the line, after
bruising drives to the cup. At times, also passes/drops off out of those
drives, and hits open shots.
Must get a stop and pop facet to his shooting, while also getting quicker
and bouncier. More strength training will help in that regard. Is precocious,
without a doubt.
Justin Anderson – Montrose Christian, 6’7”,
220 pound senior forward – Headed to UVA, Anderson will bring the
Wahoos much athletic ability and emotion. In the ACC, the latter will
likely be tempered, thereby ensuring his focus.
Can defend, and has worked very hard on his three ball spot up shooting
game. Handle is improved as well. The next step is melding shooting with
handling; Montverde was able to run him off spots, and then rotate with
size to the rim, thereby making it hard for Anderson to finish/score.
Make no bones about it though – Justin can pound the rims, particularly
in the open floor. Is uber-athletic.
Patricio Garino – Montverde Academy, 6’6”, 185 pound senior forward – Garino’s election to second team status may cause some to give a double take – he scored 20 points in the championship game, but really wasn’t an offensive threat otherwise. To ignore him is to not value the complete game; Garino rebounded, found others and defended throughout the tourney. He made winning plays.
Working on a bad knee, Garino didn’t shoot well until the last game, but is reportedly a good shooter. His form did seem impacted that knee, as Patricio couldn’t stick his landing. More work off the bounce could help him become a very special Atlantic 10 player, at George Washington. If you like the total game, you’ll like Garino
Anthony Bennett – Findlay Prep, 6’8”, 235 pound senior forward – A rim rocker, Bennett attacks the tin with a vengeance. Plays up to his size, and then some. Accepts contact.
His dribble drive game is rough right now, not really giving you much wiggle in that regard during close, contested situations – he more or less powers his way to the rim. Canning that 17 footer is a necessary point of needed improvement as well.
Honorable Mention
Winston Shepard, senior forward, Findlay Prep (San Diego State)
Michael Enanga, senior forward, Montverde (Coastal Carolina)
Anton Gill, junior guard, Ravenscroft (Louisville)
Melvin Johnson, senior swingman, St. Benedict’s (Miami)
Clide Geffrard, senior swingman, Blanche Ely
Michael Enanga put his hard hat on.