Eye-openers at the First Eight and Hall of Fame National Invitational

July 14, 2010 New England Hoop News Staff

The National Invitational and First 8 tournaments seemed to show talent wins games, but teamwork win championships. The Granite State Jayhawks are not a team loaded with Division I players, but at the end of the day, they were the last team standing in one of the brackets. The same can be said for the Connecticut Knights who won a bracket at the First 8 and also came up a game short at the National Invitational, losing to the Jayhawks. The Knights are a really good team, filled with older guys who play well together.

CBC won the 17u bracket on the other side for the First 8, minus some of their most high-profile big guys, Andre Drummond, Brandon Sherrod, and Vince Van Ness. They had some lesser known guys give them big efforts, including Deshawn Murphy, Phil Gaetano, and Freddie Wilson.

The New England Storm isn't a well-known name for top teams in New England, but they did an excellent job this weekend, taking home the silver division crown.

Let's take a look at some of the players that opened eyes this weekend:

Jimmy Zenevitch - New England Storm: A 6'8 left-handed big that is effective around the hoop. He has some really good low-post moves and also gets up and down the floor well. Needs to toughen up a bit, but is definitely a player that will draw Division I interest. Supposed to be a good student as well.

Tylon Smith Jr. - Connecticut Knights - Smith is a hard-nosed point guard. He has a high motor as he looks to GO at all times. Smith does an excellent job of getting to the rim and bullying his way into the paint where he will get to the line or finish at the rim. Supposed to be an excellent student as well. Had big games this weekend of 20+ points multiple times.

Mike Anderson - Connecticut Knights - A very good-sized scoring guard, Anderson has Division I potential. He stands about 6'4 and has some good bounce to his step. Gets his shot off when he wants and is capable of scoring in bunches. At times disappears, but when he has it going, is extremely effective.

Pat Connaughton - Middlesex Magic - The best way to describe Connaughton is TOUGH. He is 6'5 and has a very good frame. He uses his body well and is effective finishing with either hand at the rim. Not only does he finish at the rim, but he will get well above the rim to finish with dunks and power plays. Doesn't look to shoot much outside, but is certainly capable of hitting the three. Has a Matt Harpring type of game. Mid-Division I schools should take notice and keep an eye on him.

John Papale - CT Hoopstars - Papale split time with the CT Hoopstars and New England Playaz (First 8) this weekend. The 2012 shooting guard is exceptional as a spot-up shooter. He has a quick trigger and connects on a high percentage. Besides having a knack for the long-ball, Papale can also score in different ways either moving without the ball or putting it on the deck. Will need to improve lateral quickness for the Division I level, but offensively he is ready.

Ty Strange - NE Playaz - Strange plays back-up point guard to Nadir Tharpe and does a very good job of running the offense and getting the ball to the right people. He plays really hard at all times, and does a good job defensively.

Thomas Palleschi - New England Storm - At 6'8 and BIG, Palleschi has a chance. The 2012 product moves well, clears space, and likes to mix it up. Needs to work on developing some good to moves in the post, but with his size alone, he'll get attention.

Scott King - Rivals BBall Club - King had a really good weekend with the Rivals. He stands 6'9, plays hard, doesn't mind mixing it up and can also step out and shoot. We look forward to seeing his development over the next year at Holderness.

Tyler McFarland - Maine Gold - McFarland has a really good body and shows signs of being really good. He had a great game vs. Abyssian Church out of New York City on Monday, with some big-time finishes in the paint. At times, he can be a bit too rigid, and needs to improve his skill set.

Cam Shorey - Maine Gold - Shorey had some monster games for Maine Gold over the weekend. He can really score and also has a powerful body. With his reclassifcation to 2012 and attending Phillips Exeter, we expect Shorey to develop into a solid prospect. He scores in a bunch of ways and only knows how to play hard.

James Ek - Granite State Jayhawks - Talk about a quick trigger and having guts to make/take big shots. Ek hit two daggers in the championship game against the CT Knights that took the wind out of their sales, as they were clawing back. A bit undersized at the two, but he strokes it and that's all that matters.

Sean McClung - Granite State Jayhawks - McClung also showed the ability to knock down the long-ball, but he scored in other ways equally effective. He also can get his shot off quick and moves very well without the ball. Stands about 6'4, so the two-guard spot would be ideal for him at the next level.

We will have more later in the week...

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Eye-openers at the First Eight and Hall of Fame National Invitational

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