1999 Cage Scope/High Potential "Blue-Chip" Basketball Camp

June 27-July 1   July 11-15   July 18-22
Georgetown, KY

©1999 by Ron Harrison

Introduction

The 20th Annual Cage Scope/High Potential "Blue-Chip" Basketball Camp was held on the campus of Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky.

The camp directors for this camp are Dave Bones (Cage Scope) and Rick Bolus (High Potential).  These two gentlemen have a total of 68 years experience in the business between them.  Dave Bones introduced Cage Scope to the world in 1957 and Rick Bolus started the Rick Bolus High Potential Basketball Recruiting Service in 1973.

There are three sessions this year:  June 27-July 1, July 11-15, and July 18-22.  The first session includes a Junior division.  Each session also includes Skip Goley, a shooting instructor and specialist.  Some NBA alumni of this camp include Jimmy Jackson, Allen Houston, Rex Chapman, Felton Spencer, and Darren Hancock.  All players receive academic seminars, recruiting lectures, and mini-clinics.

Each player also plays a minimum of ten league games and receives work at fundamental stations.  There are also competition contests and all league games are played full-court.  All players receive equal playing time as substitutions are done by the clock.  Certified trainers are on duty at all times.
 

Session One  June 27 - July 1, 1999

I was only able to attend the Thursday July 1st session which included the final four and the All-Star games.  This was definitely my loss as there were some good players in this camp.  This session also included a Junior division which I could not cover due to space considerations.

The championship game of the final four was won by a team designated "Massachusetts" over team "Missouri".  "Massachusetts" was led by 6-6 Dexter Lyons, an athletic jumping-jack from Georgia, who was named MVP.  The runner-up MVP from the "Missouri" squad was 6-6 Jr. Buddy Richardson.

The Second 20 "Blue-Chip" All-Star rosters are as follows:
 

Cage Scope All-Stars (Purple)  Coach Dylan Howard (St. Francis University)
 
Hagen Williams   6-1 Sr.  Liberty Casey Co. KY
Ben Hogancamp   6-6 Sr. Bardwell Carlisle Co. KY
Josef McNeal   6-5 Sr. Alachua Santa Fe FL
DeMarco Smith   6-0 Sr. Belleville West IL
Tommy Futrell   6-3 Sr. Ottawa Lake Whiteford Agr.  MI
Scott Green   6-5 Sr. Jenison MI
Lance Crow   6-3 Sr. Lynn Randolph Southern IN
Derek Cooksey   6-1½  Sr. Ashland Blazer KY
Juwaun Seegers   6-1 Sr. Lancaster SC
Aaron Alsgaard   5-11 Sr. Lowell MI
alternates:
Joshua Brock   6-2 Sr. Pineville Bell Co. KY
Kevin House   5-11 Sr. Memphis Whitehaven TN

High Potential All-Stars (Gray)  Coach Warren Haynes (La Grange College)
 
Jerry Angel   6-4  Sr.  Dayton Chaminade Julienne  OH
Jerrod Eldridge   6-4  Sr.  Beavercreek OH
Kyle Howard   6-0  Sr.  Edgewood Dixie Heights KY
Buddy Richardson   6-6  Jr.  Bunker Hill Maconaquah IL
Larry Marshall   6-2  Jr.  Detroit U of D Jesuit MI
Kalvin Clark   6-5  Jr.  Cecelia Central Hardin KY
Dominick Martin   6-7  Jr.  Asheville A. C. Reynolds NC
Karl Caviness   6-0  Sr.  College Park North Clayton  GA
Darren Tanis   6-5  Sr.  Jenison MI
Luke Sprague   6-1  Jr.  Tulsa Memorial OK
alternates:
Donathan Singleton   5-11  Sr.  Cedar Hill TX
Ryan West   6-0  Sr.  Owensboro Catholic KY

The High Potential All-Stars won this game by a score of 73-66. Dominick Martin led them in scoring with 18 points and was named MVP. Karl Caviness added 11 points.  DeMarco Smith, the MVP for the Cage Scope All-Stars, had 13 points.  Josef McNeal scored 15 points in the first half before departing for the airport.
 

"Blue-Chip" Top 20 All-Star Game rosters:

Cage Scope All-Stars (Purple)  Co-Coaches Jason Mays (Georgetown College) and J.P. Verhagen (The Netherlands)
 
Antwaine Barbour   6-4 Sr.  Elizabethtown KY
Scott Hundley   6-5 Sr. Georgetown Scott Co. KY
Rodney Jones   5-9 CF Milwaulkee Tech WI
Reid Markham   6-2 Sr. Louisville Trinity KY
Jack Ingram   6-9½  Sr. San Antonio John Marshall  TX
Orlandus Hill   6-5 So. Bardwell Carlisle Co. KY
Matt Callen   6-4 Sr. Milan IN
Christopher Stone   6-9 Sr. Trenton FL
Adrian McCreight   5-10 Sr. Memphis Whitehaven TN
Brandon Jones   6-0 Jr. Peru IN
alternate:
Ben Hogancamp   6-6 Sr. Bardwell Carlisle Co. KY
honorary (injured):
Nathan Fortener   6-7 Sr. Hartford Ohio Co. KY

High Potential All-Stars (Gray)  Coach Ryan Swanson  (St. Catherine College)
 
Dexter Lyons   6-6  Sr.  College Park North Clayton GA
Ryan Pasco   6-7  Sr.  Tipp City Tippecanoe OH
Brandon Daniels   6-2½   Jr.  Tulsa Memorial OK
Beau Powers   6-6  Sr.  Brandenburg Meade Co. KY
Tyler Zornes   6-3   Sr.  Ashland Boyd Co. KY
Shodrick Phillips   6-5  Sr.  Eagle Lake Lake Region FL
Cameron Crisp   6-2  Sr.  Bolivar Central TN
Casey Lowe   6-2  Sr.  Olive Hill West Carter  KY
Chris Behrns   6-5  CF  Grand Blanc MI
Blake Compton   5-9½   Sr.  Bowling Green Warren East  KY
alternate:
Luke Sprague   6-1  Jr.  Tulsa Memorial OK

The High Potential All-Stars won this thriller 83-82 as Shodrick Phillips canned a free throw to win the game.  The victors were led by Cameron Crisp with 15.   MVP Dexter Lyons and Shodrick Phillips added 14 each and Ryan Pasco tallied 13 points.  Cage Scope was led by Antwaine Barbour with 17 and Scott Hundley with 13.  Rodney Jones, the Cage Scope MVP, added 8 points and had a good floor game.

This camp gives out several awards over the week session.  Some selected awards are:
 
 
Slam Dunk Champ Dexter Lyons College Park North Clayton GA
Most Improved Mark Gardner Madisonville Hopkins Co. Central  KY
Best Ballhandler Blake Compton Bowling Green Warren East KY
Best Passer Rodney Jones Milwaulkee Tech WI
Best Defensive Player Kendall Davis Tulsa Memorial OK
Best Rebounder Dexter Lyons College Park North Clayton GA
Best Hustler Joel Bourke Indianapolis Lawrence North IN
Best Station Worker Derick Lemon Montpelier OH
Best Underclassman Brandon Daniels Tulsa Memorial OK
League MVP (co) Tyler Zornes Ashland Boyd Co. KY
Scott Hundley Georgetown Scott Co. KY
League Runner Up MVP Cameron Crisp Bolivar Central TN
Final Four MVP Dexter Lyons College Park North Clayton GA
Final Four Runner Up MVP Buddy Richardson  Bunker Hill Maconaquah IL
Top All-Star Game MVP Dexter Lyons College Park North Clayton GA
Top All-Star Game Runner Up MVP Rodney Jones Milwaulkee Tech WI
Second All-Star Game MVP Dominick Martin Asheville A. C. Reynolds NC
Second All-Star Game Runner Up MVP  DeMarco Smith Belleville West IL

 

Session One Summary

There was some impressive talent in this camp. 6-6 Dexter Lyons was very impressive; very athletic and played hard.  Dexter won four prestigious awards:  Slam Dunk Champ, Best Rebounder, Final Four MVP, and Top All-Star Game MVP.  Dexter was very conscious of where the defensive pressure was and made quick, hard cuts to the basket to receive the pass for easy scores.

Scott Hundley continues to impress.  He is improving his ball handling and three point stroke.  Scott always plays hard and should be a good player for Vanderbilt.  He can play small forward and with continued work on his ball handling, some second guard.  Scott is a real warrior on the boards and will not back down from anybody.

Tyler Zornes has loads of talent but sometimes gets in trouble trying for the spectacular play.  However, when Tyler is on his game he is very capable of carrying a team.

There were several other players who had impressive camps:  Reid Markham, Ryan Pasco, Shodrick Phillips, Dominick Martin, etc.  6-4 Antwaine Barbour was one of the best athletes in the camp with good quickness and leaping ability.  Antwaine needs to develop a consistent outside jump shot to play the two guard in college.
 

Session Two  July 11-15, 1999

The camp final four consisted of teams designated "Tennessee", "Oklahoma", "Iowa", and "California".  "Tennessee" defeated "Oklahoma" in one semi-final and "Iowa" ousted "California" in the other semi.  "Tennessee" (11-0) defeated "Iowa" (11-0) to win the camp championship.  "Tennessee" was led by final four MVP 5-10 Doug Kirk from Benton, IL.  "Iowa" was paced by runner-up MVP 5-10 Jacob Guenther from Milwaulkee Wisconsin Lutheran.

The Second 20 "Blue-Chip" All-Star rosters are as follows:
 

Cage Scope All-Stars (Purple)  Coach Kevin Whitlow (Columbus Brookhaven, OH)
 
Kenneth Hill   6-5 Sr.  Naperville Central IL
Kirk Newman   5-10  Jr. West Lafayette Harrison IN
Kenneth Gilbert   5-11 Sr. Lorain Clearview OH
Daniel Griffith   6-4 Sr. Greenup Greenup Co. KY
Jacob Shearer   6-3 Sr. Churubusco IN
Aaron Bruns   6-1 Sr. Cerro Gordo IN
Eric Steers   6-2 Sr. Shelbyville IL
Jake Rettig   5-10 Sr. West Lafayette Harrison IN
Melvin Buckley   6-5 So. Chicago Heights Marian Catholic  IL
Anthony Jones   6-3 Sr. Jamestown York Inst. TN
alternates:
Christopher Dawson   6-3 Sr. Cuyohoga Falls Walsh Jusuit OH
Mitchell Coleman   6-2 Sr. Paintsville Johnson Central KY
Imani Wilson   6-2 Sr. Ann Arbor Huron MI

High Potential All-Stars (White)  Coach Brad Etter (Salem IL)
 
Willie Coleman   5-11  Jr.  Jackson AL
Vincent Ruger   6-2  So.  Spencer WI
Ed Kinards   6-3½   CF  Harvey West Jefferson LA
David Inabnit   6-2  So.  Whiteland IN
Chris Stansbury   6-0  Jr.  Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA
Sam Pharr   6-6½   Fr.  Rockville IN
Phil Hoying   6-4  Jr.  Anna OH
Gary Puvalowski   6-6  Sr.  Bad Axe MI
Erick Marshall   6-2  Sr.  Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA
Peter Andrei Grecelousky   6-10  CF  Windsor Kennedy Coll. Inst. ON
Sam Anderson   6-4  Sr.  Macomb Dakota MI
alternates:
Deshaun Jackson   6-3  Sr.  Covington Holmes KY
Josh Zarrilli   6-3½  Sr.  Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian  OH

The High Potential All-Stars won this thriller in overtime 85-83. They were led in scoring by Vincent Ruger with 13 points and Sam Anderson with 12.   MVP David Inabnit chipped in with 8 points.  The Cage Scope All-Stars were led by Jake Rettig with 14. Imani Wilson and Kenneth Hill chipped in with 12 points each and runner-up MVP Kirk Newman added 8 points.
 

"Blue-Chip" Top 20 All-Star Game rosters:

Cage Scope All-Stars (Purple)  Coaches Joe Cunningham (Owenton Owen Co. KY) and Andra Harris (Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA)
Honorary Coach: Benjamin Turner (Hinesville GA)
 
Theo Powell   6-6 Sr.  Streamwood IL
Blake Compton   5-9½   Sr.  Bowling Green Warren East  KY
Fritz Hieb   6-6 Sr. Spencer Owen Valley IN
Jace Bryant   6-6 Sr. Collinwood TN
Sean Scales   6-3 Sr. Columbus Independence OH
C.J. Whitfield   6-2 Sr. Farmington MI
Darrell Redmond   6-5 Sr. Kirkwood MO
Clarence Boyd   5-11 Sr. Jenks OK
Ben Sturgill   6-6 Sr. Hamilton OH
Nathan Sutton   6-5 Sr. Greenup Greenup Co. KY

High Potential All-Stars (Gray)  Coaches William Davis (Calera OK) and Gene Davis (Durant Silo OK)
 
Micah Stith   6-4  Sr.  Columbus Brookhaven OH
Pierre Monagan   6-1  Sr.  Oak Park River Forest IL
Andrew Lavender   5-5  Fr.  Columbus Brookhaven OH
Ryan Thwaits   6-1  Sr.  Goshen Fairfield IN
Joshua Perry   6-5  Sr.  Orlando Jones FL
Jordan Jeffries   6-6  Sr.  Memphis Briarcrest TN
Al Huff   5-7  Sr.  Covington Holmes KY
Darrell Ware   6-3  CF  Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA
Tom Kuslikis   6-4  Sr.  Grand Rapids West Catholic  MI
alternate:
Erick Marshall   6-2  Sr.  Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA

The High Potential All-Stars won this game 73-56.  Pierre Monagan led the scoring for the victors with 13 points and MVP Darrell Ware added 8.  The Cage Scope All-Stars were led by C.J. Whitfield with 11 points and runner-up MVP Ben Sturgill added 7 points. Theo Powell was unable to play in the game.

Some of the selected camp awards given out were:
 
 
Slam Dunk Champ Joshua Perry Orlando Jones FL
Most Improved B.J. Almon Columbus East OH
Best Ballhandler Tommy McKenzie Paintsville Johnson Central KY
Best Passer Brandon Snodgrass  Ramsey North Harrison IN
Best Defensive Player Daniel Griffith Greenup Greenup Co. KY
Best Rebounder Theo Powell Steamboat IL
Best Hustler Landry Dunn Fern Creek KY
Best Station Worker Phillip Craft Hindman Knott Co. Central  KY
Best Underclassman Andrew Lavender Columbus Brookhaven OH
Best Graduated Senior Darrell Ware Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA
League MVP Jace Bryant Collinwood TN
League Runner Up MVP Pierre Monagan Oak Park River Forest IL
Final Four MVP Doug Kirk Benton IL
Final Four Runner Up MVP Jacob Guenther Milwaulkee Lutheran WI
Top All-Star Game MVP Darrell Ware Hinesville Bradwell Inst. GA
Top All-Star Game Runner Up MVP Ben Sturgill Hamilton OH
Second All-Star Game MVP David Inabnit Whiteland IN
Second All-Star Game Runner Up MVP  Kirk Newman West Lafayette Harrison IN

 

Session Two Summary

Jace Bryant, a 6-6 Sr. from Collinwood TN was probably the best player in camp this week.  Jace is a good rebounder and displays an adequate outside shot.  He has an excellent attitude and comes to play in every game.  Bryant got off to a tough shooting night in one of the league games, but continued to work and hustle ending up with 21 points and at least 15 rebounds.

Jake Rettig, a 5-10 guard from West Lafayette Harrison IN, put on an excellent three point shooting display by lighting up the scoreboard for 33 points in one of the league games.  6-6 Theo Powell was a monster on the boards and an excellent scorer inside the paint.  6-1 Pierre Monagan and 6-2 Imani Wilson were also impressive with their athleticism.

The future also looks bright with two freshmen, 6-6½ Sam Pharr from Rockville IN and 5-5 Andrew Lavender from Columbus Brookhaven OH making the All-Star squads. Andrew Lavender, as noted earlier, also was named the camp Best Underclassman.
 
 

Session Three  July 18-22, 1999

The camp final four consisted of teams designated "Alabama", "Arkansas", "Massachusetts", and "Minnesota".  "Arkansas" defeated "Alabama" in one semi-final and "Minnesota" prevailed over "Massachusetts" in the other semi.  "Arkansas"  defeated "Minnesota" to win the camp championship.  "Arkansas" was led by final four MVP 6-0 Andy Moeller from Bettendorf Pleasant Valley IA.  "Minnesota" was paced by runner-up MVP 6-1 Cory Brown from Statenville Echols Co. GA.
 

The Second 20 "Blue-Chip" All-Star rosters are as follows:

Cage Scope All-Stars (Purple)  Coach Rob Williams (Quincy Munroe FL)
 
Marc Comar   6-1 Sr.  Pepper Pike Orange OH
Brandon Flippens   5-11  So. Lincoln City Heritage Hills  IN
Marcus Gholson   6-3 Sr. Gary Wirt IN
Kawanis Jones   6-3 Sr. Lovejoy GA
Michael Flynn   6-3 Sr. New Albany  IN
Adam Simpson   6-6 Jr. Frankfort Western Hills KY
Ben Jones   6-7 Sr. Convoy Crestview OH
Andrew Klein   6-6  Jr. Louisville St. Xavier KY
Derek Winans   6-2 Sr. Wolf Lake Shawnee IL
Myron Dobson   6-0 Sr. Mt. Juliet TN
alternates:
Darren Brooks   6-3 Sr. Jennings MO
Jeffrey Colson   6-4 Jr. Dry Ridge Grant Co. KY

High Potential All-Stars (Gray)  Coach Jackson Dolon (Virgin Islands)
 
Danny Boyle    6-1  Jr.  Middleton WI
Beau Adair   6-5  Jr.  Ligonier West Noble IN
Ray Grady   6-1  Sr.  Wheeling IL
Matt Pyle   6-4  Sr.  Franklin NC
Chris Bennett   6-5  Sr.  Martinsville IL
Matthew Vail   6-3  Sr.  Jenks OK
Eric Johnson   6-1  Jr.  Buckner Oldham Co. KY
Stanley Bishop   6-4  Sr.  Oak Park River Forest  IL
Chris Lewis   6-6  Sr.  Atlanta Pace Academy  GA
Brian Rhodes   6-5  Sr.  Sullivan MO
alternates:
Matt Taulbee   6-4   Jr.  Logan OH
Christopher Emeott   6-8  Sr.  Hemlock MI
Quinton Smith   5-9  So. Radcliff North Hardin KY

The Cage Scope All-Stars won this game by a score of 91-80. They were led by MVP Myron Dobson  with 18 points and was named MVP. Andrew Klein added 12 points and Darren Brooks and Michael Flynn both chipped in with 11.  Brian Rhodes led the High Potential All-Stars with 14 points and runner-up MVP Danny Boyle displayed good leadership and a nice floor game.  Quinton Smith was not available for the game.
 

"Blue-Chip" Top 20 All-Star Game rosters:

Cage Scope All-Stars (Purple)  Coach Kirby Overman (Sebring FL)
 
Karl Petersen   6-7½ Sr. Davenport Central IA
Stephen Green   6-10 Jr. Macomb Lutheran North MI
Mark Williams   6-0¼ Jr. Sebring  FL
D.J. Newkirk   6-6 Sr. Lovejoy GA
Jason Earlywine   6-3 Sr. Paris Bourbon Co. KY
Chris Kelly   6-3 Sr. Louisville St. Xavier KY
Anthony Osorio   6-5 Sr. Clarksville Kentwood TN
Ron Thomas   6-4 Sr. Cleveland VASJ OH
Andy Moeller   6-0 Sr. Bettendorf Pleasant Valley  IA
Nathan Sharp   6-5 Sr. Davenport Central IA
alternate:
Derek Winans   6-2 Sr. Wolf Lake Shawnee IL

High Potential All-Stars (Gray)  Coach Dennis Frisco (Miami Ransom Everglades FL)
 
Cedric Knight   6-6  Sr.  Louisville Ballard KY
Brandon Fortier   6-3  Sr.  Wheeling IL
Kip Kirchbaum   6-7½   Sr.  Richmond Madison Central KY
Anthony Johnson   6-4  Jr.  Louisville Iroquois KY
Aaron Lyles   5-10  Jr.  Benton Marshall Co. KY
Nathan Wruble   6-6  Sr.  Harbor Beach MI
Bert Capel   6-4  Sr.  Florence Heritage Academy  KY
Gabe Leventis   6-7  Sr.  Easley  SC
Deshaun Bowman   5-8  Sr. Louisville Iroquois KY
Zack Bertke   6-2  Jr.  Beavercreek  OH
honorary (injured)
Matt Owen   6-5  Sr.  Louisville Christian Academy KY

The High Potential All-Stars won this game 64-55.  The victors were led by game MVP Cedric Knight with 13 points.   Anthony Johnson, a very strong inside player, added 10 points.  The Cage Scope All-Stars were led by Jason Earlywine and Anthony Osorio with 10 points each.  The runner-up MVP was Mark Williams, who added 6 points and is an excellent floor general.

Selected  camp awards given out this week include:
 
Slam Dunk Champ Derek Winans Wolf Lake Shawnee IL
Most Improved Corlando Haynie  Flint Southwestern  MI
Best Ballhandler Wyatt Brandt Clarksville Kenwood TN
Best Passer Travis Johnson Jasonville Shakamak IN
Best Defensive Player Kevin Vaughn Herrin IL
Best Rebounder D.J. Newkirk Lovejoy GA
Best Hustler Peter Weber Sarasota Riverview FL
Best Station Worker Brian Rhodes Sullivan MO
Best Underclassman Mark Williams Sebring FL
Best Graduating Senior Alberto Turner Dallas East Paulding GA
League MVP Karl Petersen Davenport Central IA
League Runner Up MVP Cedric Knight Louisville Ballard KY
Final Four MVP Andy Moeller Bettendorf Pleasant Valley  IA
Final Four Runner Up MVP Corey Brown Statenville Echols GA
Top All-Star Game MVP Cedric Knight Louisville Ballard KY
Top All-Star Game Runner Up MVP Mark Williams Sebring FL
Second All-Star Game MVP Myron Dobson Mt. Juliet TN
Second All-Star Game Runner Up MVP  Danny Boyle Middleton WI

 

Session Three Summary

Karl Petersen, a 6-7½ Sr. from Davenport Central IA, was awarded the league MVP. Petersen is a good rebounder and scores well inside. Cedric Knight, a 6-6 wing player from Louisville Ballard KY, was a close second.  Cedric has loads of talent and could be something special if he chooses to play hard in every game.  He is strong inside, a capable ball handler, and possesses three point range.

Mark Williams, a 6-0¼ Jr. guard from Sebring FL is an excellent point guard who had a very good camp.   Mark takes the ball to the basket well and is an excellent passer.  Mark has won several awards at prestigious camps over the summer.  He could move up in the point guard rankings with a good winter campaign.

6-5 Brian Rhodes from Sullivan MO is an exceptional athlete and leaper who also showed discipline by winning the Best Station Worker award.  Brian scored 33 points in one league game and gives a solid effort in every game.

There were several other impressive players in this camp including 6-4 Anthony Johnson, a real bull inside the paint.   Johnson scored 32 to lead his "Wisconsin" team to a 106-101 win in a league game over the Cedric Knight- and Brian Rhodes-led "Massachusetts" squad.  Kip Kirchbaum, a 6-7½ Richmond Madison Central KY product, also displayed a lot of potential.
 
 

Conclusion

Everyone has an opinion about summer basketball.  Some of the publicity unfortunately is negative.  I was very impressed with the leadership in this camp.  The camp is very well organized and it gives the players an opportunity and venue to impress the college coaches in attendance.  While you may not have Parade Magazine All Americans at this camp in every session you will have many good players and judging from ex-campers who have played in the NBA, occasionally a great one!

The camp directors make everyone welcome and provide the official camp programs, all-star game rosters, and the list of award winners.  They also take the time, even when they don't have the time, to answer any questions about the camp or players.  This camp also has a tremendous up-side for players who have either not had the exposure or are late bloomers.  It is also beneficial to teams who come as an entry to have an additional week of basketball to gel as a team.  After viewing three weeks of this camp and talking to coaches, players, and parents, I see how it achieves its high national ranking.