On the Radar Hoops notebook: Session II

On the Radar Hoops notebook: Session II

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

Marietta, Ga. – The second session of On the Radar Hoops Live Period was packed with some talented players as usual. Teams came from all over the Southeast and one team from our neighbors to the north. 

There were some players who propelled themselves onto the radar. The early returns after the two live periods in April will make them players to watch.

Making the point, setting the table

Waqo Tessema played one of the best games of the tournament. This unsigned senior is a true point guard. He ran the Toronto Terror with fluidity and under control. His ability to handle the ball in traffic. Tessema turned heads with the way he controlled the game all weekend. His leadership went beyond just dishing out the ball or making a basket. The Fort Erie International Academy product made sure to lift teammates up after an errant pass or ill-advised turnovers. His game resembles Patty Miles.

Trey Murray is a good-looking floor general. The Wesley Chapel product danced its way into the lane finishing through traffic and contact. He also just lead the Born To Impact Elite squad to some quality wins in critical moments. Murray is a poised leader and scrappy on both ends of the floor. He picked up an offer from Kennesaw State after consistent efforts on the floor.

Camryn Perkins has continued the steady play. This Warner Robins All-Star is the catalyst running the team’s offense. He looks so deliberate and shifty. His presence on the ball has shown growth. His basketball IQ is solid. Perkins will have a solid summer and will surely garner more attention shortly.

Ma Taj Glover has all the makings of a floor leader. He never looks rattled. His demeanor never seems to change but his mind is always moving. Glover mixed up a few times this weekend. Whenever the team needed a basket or a basketball play, the Team Forrest product delivered the goods. He is a floor general who knows how to score in a variety of ways. His basketball IQ comes from his bloodline. He is the son of former NBA player Dion Glover.  

Combo guards make waves

Paul Djobet was the talk of the weekend. The unsigned senior was easily the most dominating player throughout the event. At 6-foot-6, the wing is a stat sheet filler. He was averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds a game. This West Oaks Academy piqued the interest of several college programs, eventually earning an offer from Kennesaw State. The longer he plays his skillset will continue to catch the attention of college coaches.

Terrell Baker is an intriguing prospect. He is a solidly built combo guard, who gets downhill easily. Seeing him run the offense with Game Speed Elite things are executed so freely. Baker gets things cooking for everyone around opening scoring opportunities because of his ability to penetrate inside.

Hedrens Bartelus can get it done on the open floor. He made impactful plays on both ends of the floor. The Lake Worth Community High product turned heads with his effort and ability to shoot the basketball. He showed coaches he could knock down shots and defend on the ball 94 feet.

Calvin Liptrot was on one for Team Florida. The Jones High product showed plenty of poise and moxie on the floor. He is a strong guard, who handled the pressure really well through several games. His nose on the ball defense was impressive and really helped set the tone for the team. Being a stronger defender on the ball allowed him to wear opponents down.

Let’s get some wings and a big

Lucas Lima is sneaky and productive. The 6-foot-6 wing, with Game Speed Elite, demonstrated the ability to score whenever. He plays well on the open floor, while also finishing through some contact. His stroke is relatively smooth. One of the things that jumps off is his athleticism. There were several times in the open floor the Montverde Academy product is either soaring past defenders for a difficult shot, or he is finishing above the rim. Both times things were executed effortlessly.

Airious “Ace” Bailey can always be mentioned as one of the standout players at every event. Just like any good deck of playing cards, you will always find the Aces. They are crisp at first and then after a few times playing they are better to handle. This is the best way to describe Ace on the hardwood. As the game continues, the 6-foot-9 forward gets better with every possession. There are things he does on the court which leave those in attendance shaking their heads. The Rutgers commit is a special talent. 

Jaquarious Patterson had an impressive showing all weekend for Team KST. This 6-foot-6 wing showed the ability to score the ball at will a number of times. He shot the ball well from inside the 3-point line, finishing with a few highlights above the rim. His ability to rebound helped the South Carolina-based squad pull out some victories. The effort shown this weekend, consistently throughout the Live Period, will continue to intrigue many watching.

Nehemiah Turner is an unsigned post player who works both ends of the floor. He is a 6-foot-9 post player capable of carving out space on the interior. His size keeps defenders stagnant and it will wear on an opponent throughout the game. 

Nnadozie Onyirimba has not jumped on the radar of many people. The AOT product had a good showing finishing everything near the basket. His most impressive skill is his motor and ability to snag rebounds from outside of his area. He reads the ball off the rim before getting after it. Onyirimba is also a defensive menace guarding the ball or blocking shots. 

Jeremy Innocent can be seen as a defensive menace. His length and 6-foot-7 frame was a complete problem for opponents. He used it to be effective on both ends of the floor. The Lake Worth High product is a solid rim protector. He can then take the block shot down the floor to the rim on the other end.