With the Fall Leagues behind me I can concentrate on getting to the evaluations from the Carson Newman Showcase from a weeks back. I had three other evaluators posted, all three were former college coaches and their input is very important to my final analysis. I will post a story for each team from the event.
Illinois (91-100)
#91 Jordan Coffin (Karns)
6-1 PG 2016
Rising junior lead guard is playing with a great deal of confidence, he has improved in every area of the game but still has room for advancement. Jordan has a decent shot but really needs to work on his rhythm and mechanics, he has a tendency to launch a bad one here and there. He has good size for a point guard, he has some quickness and pushes the ball up the floor with the pass rather than the dribble. Jordan is much to good an athlete to gamble so much on defense, he has length and athleticism make those your staples. Young man is poised for a very good junior campaign.
#92 Adrien Thomas (McCallie)
6-2 SG 2016
One of the best communicators in the camp, Thomas is showing much more aggression in his play and the results have been nothing but positive. He has a strong body and is using his size to help become a much better on the ball defender. He moves well without the ball and is playing with more confidence as well. Thomas has a decent shot but his release can be a tad slow at times, something he will need to quicken. "Bull in a China Shop" was one evaluators reference stating Thomas played with major enthusiasm and much aggression on both ends of the floor.
#93 Bryric Savage (Cookeville)
6-5 PF 2016
Good size young man who showed some solid post work, knocked down some short jumpers and despite not being a great athlete showed some explosion on the block. Savage has a tendency to rush his shot at times but he is a decent rebounder within his area, expanding his rebounding perimeter and snatching boards from out of his area will certainly enhance his overall game. Savage needs to get in better basketball shape so he can run the floor and get some easy looks in transition. Young man has a good back to the basket game yet can turn around and face up as well, hard work and the addition of some lateral quickness and footwork will go a long way in helping him advance to the next level.
#95 Luke Trotter (Knoxville Webb)
6-5 PF 2016
Much improved big kid who has a plethora of fundamental post qualities. He keeps the ball high upon entry, goes very hard to the offensive glass and simply battles on defense. Luke has an excellent frame that could be menacing with continued weight work and additional skill work, such as lateral quickness drills and more post footwork action. He is the ultimate team player, he doesn't have to demand the ball to be productive, he keeps possessions alive with his hustle and he has the basketball IQ to make the right pass or score depending on the situation.
#96 Taylor Murray (Oliver Springs)
6-3 WF 2015
Strong bodied young man who battles hard, he has the size to be a solid rebounder and is seemingly always looking to take the ball to the bucket. Murray certainly needs to finish his drives better, his outside shot is adequate but he must quicken his release. He can get easy buckets inside using his size, he blocks out well and isn't afraid to stick his nose in there and rebound. He gives effort on defense but has trouble with quicker players on the perimeter, inside he can use his size and deny space and keep his man from taking him in the middle of the paint.
#98 Santana Haney (Cocke County)
6-0 PG 2017
Intriguing young prospect did a handful of things that got some of the evaluators every excited. Haney showed much quickness, he has solid handles yet made some questionable decisions with the ball. Youth has a tendency to do that to a player. He anticipates on defense and he is a competitor. His shooting needs some work but it is not something that cannot be fixed with gym work and repetition. Haney is always ready to shoot, he finds open spaces and more than ready to launch when open. As he matures his leadership and skill level will need to steer more towards the playmaking arena, scoring not to be forgotten just called upon when necessity arises.
#99 Chris Hunter (Austin East)
5-9 PG 2018
Exciting young player showed exactly what we are looking for in a new point guard, he was not intimated by the older players. Hunter was quick to drive to the bucket and dish to the easy finish, he had no trouble with our post entry requirements and even found time to score for himself off the bounce. Defensively we really need to see a better effort from a kid with this level of quickness and toughness. He should be pesky defender who other guard want no part of, something to really think about. His outside shooting is still a work in progress as he seemed much more comfortable off the bounce than launching from deep. We always say know your role, Hunter knew his role and did a solid job.
#100 Justin Barnett (Sevier County)
5-11 PG 2017
Active young lefty has a scorers mentality and shows no fear launching his sound jumper any time in an offensive possession. Barnett is a game and a gym rat who loves to compete, he is tough despite his frame and he will battle you for every loose ball and game changing possession. His outside shot is his bread and butter but as he advances in the high school game he will need to value the basketball and the possession a bit more than he currently does. He has a very good mid-range game and will go hard to the bucket if left unattended. Yet again if he is to become the lead guard that he needs to be, having a scorers mentality is not a bad thing, just recognize when and where those shots need to be taken.
