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September 20, 2008 

Cherry Hill, New Jersey 

Prepared by Rob Taylor Editor, Buckeye Prep Report    

For as long as most fans can remember, Rick Barrett has been hosting his Gym Rat Midnight Madness all-star event. In years past, Barrett's event has attracted a who's who in high school hoops. The event's NBA alumni list includes household names such as Kobe Bryant, Tracey McGrady, Stephon, Mabury, Rip Hamilton, TJ Ford, Jameer Nelson and Carlos Boozer just to name a few.  In the last couple of years, this event has hosted the likes of Tareek Evans, Derrick Favors, BJ Mullins, Dexter Strickland, Yancy Gates and Michael Gilchrist.   Over the course of the day-long event, a total of seven all-star games were played starting with the "Baby Ballers" game for 5^th & 6^th graders, the "Middle School Elite" game for 7^th & 8^th graders, the "True Ballers" game for freshmen and sophomores, the "Elite" game for local juniors and seniors, the "Best of the Best" game for more highly ranked juniors and seniors, the "Junior All-American" and "All-American" games which featured nationally ranked players from around the region and nation.   Not only was the game televised on Comcast 8, a local television station, in addition to Hoops Report, there were at least six other scouting services covering the event. Also, one of the unique features of this game is the fact that the two MVPs in each of the games had the opportunity to move up and play in the next higher game.   Prior to the conclusion of the event, several were presented with awards as the top players in their respective classes. The awards winners included: Malik Wayans, Tamier Jackson and Aaric Murray (Top Seniors), Tony Chenault and Daniel Alexander (Top Juniors) and Stevie Taylor as the top sophomore.  

All-American Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Top Performer Notes:

Jr. All-American Roster Game

Top Performer Notes:

Best of the Best Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Top Performer Notes:

True Ballers Game

Top Performer Notes:

Elite Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Top Performer Notes:

Middle School Elite Game

Baby Ballers Game

Aaric Murray, (2009) a 6'11 C was simply unstoppable in the big game, and his 27-point outburst was a game-high. All I can say; teams in the Atlantic 10 had better get ready; Murray could be an impact player from day one.

Maalik Wayns, (2009) a 6'1 combo guard from Philadelphia's Roman Catholic HS and recent Villanova commit, was spectacular. Wayns, a solidly built guard, had little trouble getting to the rack once he made up his mind. Using a combination of shill, strength, and a tight handle, Wayns put up a team-high 22 points and was named Co-MVP.

Tony Chenault, (2010) a 6'0 floor general from Neumann-Goretti HS in Philly, and Wake Forest commit, slashed his way to 19 points. Chenault is a strong and aggressive guard who simply powers his way to the cup.

Daniel Alexander, (2010) a 6'6 WF from Dripping Springs, TX. had a big game and was his team's second leading scorer with 19 points.

Two sophomores in the game, Stevie Taylor, a 5'9 PG from Gahanna Lincoln HS in Gahanna, OH and Cezar Gurrero, a 6'0 PG from St, John Bosco HS in California, added a little spice to the game, as two of the top point guards in the country matched up in the final game. Both players have great speed and quickness, have the ball on a string, and the ability to score the ball. On this night they played to a draw, as both elite guards finished with 7 points apiece while making dazzling passes.

Jr. All-American Roster Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Tyrone Garland, Anthony Cannon, Dion Hudson, Rakeem Brookins, Derrick Williams, Luke Pittrowski, Aaron Brown, Shaquille Duncan (MVP), Jonathon Perry, David Stewart, Octavious Booker and Juan'ye Green.

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Shannon Givens, Jacob Horton, Reggie Groves, Trevor Cooney, Savon Goodman, Markus Kennedy, Khalil Murphy, Derrick Parsley, George Harper and Malcolm Gilbert (MVP).

Top Performer Notes:

Shaquille Duncan, a 6'9 sophomore PF from Philly, did not put up gaudy numbers, but his 10 points and sold post play earned him MVP honors.

Malcolm Gilbert, a 6'10 sophomore C/PF from Academy of New Church HS had an outstanding game to the tune of a game-high 17 points and Co-MVP honors.
Best of the Best Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Jake Kocher, Reggie Burley, Noz Wynn, Tyreek Duren, Mike Newman, Daiquine Peterson, Octavious Booker (MVP) and George Harper.

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Joey Gripper, Willias Nicholson, Quasim Jones, DJ Irvine, Terrance Bob-Jones, Robert Mansell, Brian Parker (MVP), Elijah Carter and Ryan Nalls.

Top Performer Notes:

Octavious Booker (2009), a 6'5 man-child from Friere HS, logged in as dominate a performance as any player the entire day. Booker finished with a double double (18 points and 15 rebounds) on his way to MVP honors. Booker has a football player build and is strong as an ox. Booker was aggressive to the rim where he finished with regularity. As he skill set increases, look for Booker's recruitment to take off.

Other standouts in this game were Brain Parker, Jr. who went for 16 points and was named co-MVP, 2010's Reggie Burly from Glasco HS in Delaware who matched Booker with 18 points, Tyreek Duren (2009) from Neumann-Goretti HS who scored 14 points, and Joey Gripper (2011) who began the game on fire and contributed 15 points.

True Ballers Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Keith Taylor, Treyvon Baker, Byron Whitting, Carlton Wright, Jack Rauchet, Maurice Counts, Will Lennon, Frank Smalls, Devondre Peeples, Julian Welsh-White and Ameen Tanksley (MVP).

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Malcom Sterling (MVP), Curtis Mack, Jr., Jermaine Feaster, Sunny Toye, Amile Jefferson, Lloyd Neeley, Norell Johnson, Victor Tubbs, Jerome Gundy, Scott Slade, Chris Lewis and Andre Horn.

Top Performer Notes:

Ameen Tanksley, a 6'4 sophomore WG from Prep Charter HS in Philly was impressive in this game and scored a team-high 11 points in route to MVP honors. Tanksley is very athletic, runs the floor well and has a non-stop motor. He is a willing and able passer with great court vision. He has great form on his jump shot and with his length and athleticism; he does a good job of finishing at the rim.
Malcolm Sterling, a 5'8 freshman PG from King HS in Michigan scored a game-high 16 points and grabbed MVP honors in the process.

I also really liked Andre Horne, who came on late in the game. At one point in the contest, Horne used his athleticism and skill to take over the game. Horn has great court vision and is more than willing to give up the rock to the open man. Horn has nice one-on-one moves that he uses to break down the defense to score or pass. In addition to his ability to score, Horn is aggressive on defense has a non-stop motor and plays to win. Keep an eye on this kid; I think you will be reading about him a lot in the next couple of years.

Other players to keep an eye on include Frankie Small, a 6'4 sophomore from Trenton Catholic HS who was the second leading scorer on his team with 10 points, and Amile Jefferson, a 6'4 freshman from Friends Central HS who dropped 12 points in the contest.

Elite Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Kevin Morris (MVP), Jarvis Perry, Maurice Jackson, Julian Stewart, Derrick Grovatt, Will Adams, Daniel Stewart, Terrell McCloud and Davion Brdingham.

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Baas Harvey, Bobby Harris, Jamere Briggs, Marquise Jones, Brendell Smith, Nick Moore, Rondre Kelly, Rodney Blunt, Marcus Davis (MVP), and Tyrell McCloud.

Top Performer Notes:

Kevin Morris, a 5'9 PG from Malcolm X Shabazz HS in Norton, NJ and Marcus Davis, a 6'7 PF from Woodbury, NJ were both top performers in this game.

Keep an eye on Jamere Briggs, a 5'10 Junior from Timber Creek and Bobby Harris, a 6'2 senior from Eastern HS, both of who had a few highlights during the game.

Middle School Elite Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Jerron Love, Dwayne Foreman, Shep Garner, Isiah Powell, Austin Colbert (MVP), Shaq Townsend, Amir Middred, Devon Bell, Louis Hayes, Yusef Yacob and Aaron McGlown.

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Blake Sanders, Britton Lee, Tim Quashi, Dennis Cole, Waymere Murphy, Austin Tilghman, John Azzinaro, Sha Sha Matthews (MVP), Lorenz Thurman, Miles Overton, Ryan Bland and Dylan Daniluk.

Top Performer Notes:

Austin Colbert, a 6'7 eighth grader from Chesapeake, VA, was as good a long-term prospect as any player at the event. Already 6'7, Colbert showed the kind of size and skill level that makes college coaches drool. This kid has obviously had somebody working with him, as he showed an impressive array of advanced post moves. This kid did it all, including scoring in the low post, rebounding, blocking shots and running the floor with fluidity. Colbert does a good job of setting up in the post; he has a nice drop step move, and can spin either left or right and finish with a hook shot. Colbert is long and lean and appears to have a lot more room to grow. He keeps the ball high on the rebounds, has a nice soft touch on his shot, and can hit the mid-range shot if left open. All I can say is WOW! This kid has "big time" written all over him if he continues to work and develop. Oh yea, his game-high 15 points earned him the MVP nod.

Colbert was fantastic, but Sha Sha Matthews did his thing as well. Matthews, a 5'5 PG from Stanton, VA, is a flashy little guard who can really score the ball. His handle is advanced for his age and he plays with a lot of poise. Matthews scored 13 points and was named Co-MVP.

Dwayne Foreman (16 points), Shep Garner (12 points) and Blake Sanders (6 points) all deserve special mention here, as they all had standout performances in this game.

Baby Ballers Game

Red Roster (MVP in bold)

Mike Cohen, Mike Dixon, Mike O'Connor, Steve Jordan, Vincent Jackson, Jaiyer Jinwright, Nyke McCombs, Mike Jalooso, Tory Whiting and Kamari Peel (MVP).

White Roster (MVP in bold)

Robert De Persia, Nick De Persia, Trey Lowe, Ju Ju Jamison, Adam Perry, Chauncey Sterling, Malik Ellison (MVP), Jeff Thompson, Randal West, and Isaiah Brisko.

Top Performer Notes:

Kamari Peel, a 6'1 sixth grader from Harrison, PA. scored a game-high 16 points and was named Co-MVP.

Malik Ellison from Voorhees, NJ. went for a team-high 13 points and was also named co-MVP.
I also liked Nick De Persia (11 points) and Steve Jordan (9 points) in this game.

This was a fantastic event that has withstood the test of time. Although college coaches are no longer able to attend as they were several years ago, participation in this event is still a big deal, and it is still an honor to be selected. To find out more information about this event visit their website at http://www.gymratmidnightmadness.org.

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