Elevate Hoops Summer Icebreaker: Day 2
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Eli Brooks is focused on building momentum through the remainder of the July.
The Spring Grove (Pa.) High School point guard wants to build on his travel teams continued success on the travel circuit. So far, through two days of action, the Jersey Shore Warriors have continued its winning ways thanks in large part of the team’s philosophy with Brooks leading the way.
“We all share the ball really,” he said. “We just try to find the open person. I try not to allow any one-person guard me. This makes everybody better.”
Brooks’ selfless approach is the reason college coaches make sure to catch his next game. Monmouth, Drexel, Colgate, Bucknell, George Mason, Lehigh are the list of schools who have offered the 6-foot-1 guard.
Making a decision on his future is nothing Brooks is rushing. He wants to enjoy the process but does have a school close to his heart.
“My dream school is Villanova,” he said. “I just love the way they play, share the ball and play a style I like.”
Brooks’ style of basketball is smooth but there are some wrinkles he wants to fix.
“I want to improve defensively,” he said. “If you can’t guard (the ball) you’re useless in the college system.”
Gillespie drops tournament high
Watching Collin Gillespie play is pretty hard to imagine a college program not expressing some heavy interest. After Thursday’s 34-points, Gillespie’s name had a few coaches putting an asterisk by his name.
The Archbishop Wood High product opened the game up knocking down jumpers on opposite sides of the court. He had 14 points at halftime against the NY Ionians. Gillespie did not stop in the second half. He just attacked the Ionians post players while keeping guards off balance because of his ability to knock down shots. Whenever he wasn’t knocking down open jumpers or contested layups, Gillespie nailed 13 free throws.
Legit Basketball is getting quality leadership from Jordan Gorman. The 5-foot-9 floor general is poised and tough on the court. He makes the right plays and is a strong on ball defender. Norman has interest from Ball State, Manhattan, Eastern Kentucky, Toledo and VMI.
Other Notables
Pat Garey showed plenty of energy scoring at will and playing both eneds of the floor. The Johnson City (NY) High product can shoot the ball with some consistency.
The duo of Griffin Kornaker and Dan Masino, from Eastside Rochester, have been solid throughout the week. They are helping the New York based organization continue it’s run through the Elevate Hoops Summer Icebreaker with timely shooting and consistent play.
Camari Wilkerson is certainly one of the more efficient point guards throughout the week. The lightening quick guard is excelling in every facet of the game. He is ready to go off to school right now as an unsigned senior but is looking to spend the upcoming season at a prep school in the New England area. He can score on all three levels of the floor.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.