Hoop Mountain Academic All-American Camp – Saturday Recap

July 12th, 2008
NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com

The Hoop Mountain Academic All-American Camp has become a must-stop on the recruiting trail of the country’s top academic schools.  This year’s camp is very impressive from top to bottom as it features several definite division I players and a seemingly limitless list of players who could fall in the high d3 to low major range.

When the Hoop Mountain Academic All-American Camp was created three years ago, it was a bit of a trend setter as it assembled prospects that thrived both on the court and in the classroom.  Now in year three, the event continues to grow and attract some of the top academic prospects in the country.  Some of the top non-New England products in attendance this weekend include: a future high major player in 6’8” forward Kenyatta Smith from California; a player with Big East interest in 6’8” power forward Dominic Morris from Philadelphia; a player who already holds mid-major offers in Rakeem Brookins from Philadelphia; and a 6’8” big man from Virginia in Spencer Demars.    

The feel good story of the day for New England fans was Tim McKinney, who received his first division I scholarship offer from American.  The Patriot League school followed McKinney last week as he shined at Hoop Mountain’s Super Week II and they continued to keep tabs on the Boston College High School graduate this weekend.  They were clearly impressed by what they saw in the first game as McKinney used his ambidextrous ball skills to get into the lane and finish creatively.

Brimmer & May’s Kyle Casey was the camp’s most dominant player on Saturday.  Casey, showing a buffed up physique, continued to play with the toughness and intensity that he showed throughout the spring AAU season.  He rebounded well, blocked shots, finished above the rim, and even sent one backboard rocking back after a powerful dunk.

Tucker Halpern also played well for the second consecutive week.  He was intent to do work on the low block and was impressive moving without the ball on the interior, showing good footwork with his back to the basket, and playing through contact.  He also continued to do the dirty work that coaches are looking for as he crashed the glass and got on the floor for loose balls.  With his trade mark three-point shooting, his new found ability with his back to the basket makes him a major mismatch problem for opposing defenses. 

Derek Retos has simply been on a roll all weekend long.  Although he was going nuts on Friday nights hitting 8 threes in a single game (he only played two quarters), his best game may have come Saturday morning as he played an excellent all around floor game.  The rising junior guard may be undersized, but he is playing with a toughness and confidence about him that is making him very effective. 

Coming off a terrific performance at the Eastern Invitational Team Camp, the Stockmal Brothers (Cory Stockmal & Kyle Stockmal) are picking up right where they left off.  While there have been players who have attracted coaches from higher levels, no one else has been able to match the sheer volume of coaches watching the twins play as almost every Ivy League school has watched, while virtually dozens of division III coaches are looking on and hoping to have a shot.

 Others Who Shined:

•  Brian Fitzpatrick has been impressive all weekend long.  He is boasting a cut up physique, rebounding the ball well, and making shots from the perimeter.  He was also making some very nice passes when the opportunity presented itself.  

•  Fitzpatrick teamed with Luke Matarazzo on Saturday afternoon to form a potent 1-2 punch.  Matarazzo set the big man up for several easy scores, while the young point guard also showed his knock down jumper from behind the three-point line in addition to his prowess with the ball in his hands.

•  Cliff Celestin did very well for himself by slashing his way to the rim and finishing in a variety of ways. 

•  Greg Newton looked good playing with his future teammates at Phillips Exeter.  Newton will clearly thrive being surrounded by so many shooters as he penetrates and pitches as well as anyone. 

•  Sam Martin has played well this weekend while having quite a following of college coaches.  His versatility has been most impressive as he has played the point guard position effectively at times, while also continuing to score the ball from the two-guard spot (5 threes in a game on Saturday afternoon). 

•  Pat Donnelly continued to shoot the ball well from the three-point line while also showing an improved handle, most notably a fairly quick cross-over move. 

•  Peter Kaasila was one of the most difficult match-ups for opposing defensives as he muscles people in the paint, changed shots on the defensive end, and crashed the glass hard.  The big man was also making a noticeable effort to run the floor. 

•  Playing with Casey, Halpern, and Retos, Greg Jacques and Eric Alleyne were unsung heroes of sorts.  Both guards defended well while distributing the ball and making good decisions.

•  Andover High School’s D.J. Fazio and Kevin Polanco were both impressive.  Polanco used his length and athleticism while being very active on both ends of the floor, while Fazio showed tremendous grit and toughness in addition to a nice shooting stroke.