Certainly, the talent year's camp provided some tough decisions for Camp Director Imad Qahwash and his fellow camp coaches, although it was something that Qahwash anticipated going into it.
"This is totally what I expect from our region and the talent from here. I think our coaches throughout this weekend really pushed our guys to their full potential from start to finish; in turn, it certainly led to some tough decisions with regards to all-star selections," said Qahwash.
"I definitely want to thank the staff, coaches, players, parents and media for supporting our players and this event. We are grateful and fortunate to have something like this for players to shoot and be a part of," he added.
Without further ado, here's a look at the MVP and All-Star Selections, as well as several additional players that I think post-secondary coaches should keep tabs on as they progress through the high-school ranks:
CO-MVPs: Kyle Fazekas (5'9" PG, Grade 10 - Windsor St. Anne) & Trent Johnson (6'4" SF, Grade 10 - Cambridge St. Benedict).Both players certainly earned their spot in the camp spotlight with consistent, top-notch performances in drills / skill sessions and during competitive gameplay.
Fazekas, a 5'9" PG, is the consummate floor general. He makes those around him better; excellent leadership skills, and is a true "mini-professional" in terms of how he approaches the game. You could consider him a "sponge" in terms of soaking up the knowledge provided by coaches, applying that knowledge while also looking to continually improve. Despite being from out of town, I look forward to keeping tabs on him throughout his high school career.
As for Johnson, a 6'4" SF, he came into the weekend with confidence -- after all, he played Senior basketball at St. Benedict this past season, where he was exposed to some tremendous competition with their grueling schedule. As I mentioned in my preview, he scored 20+ points in the SBCSS Tournament Final against a Cathedral team that won the OFSAA bronze medal, and his scoring exploits were certainly on display during this past weekend -- he is absolutely lethal in the catch-and-shoot, but by no means is he a one-dimension talent. If you play up on him too much, he does have the athleticism to drive-by; his length also makes him a bit of a pest on the defensive end. Under the tutelage of Coach Malnerich and company at SBCSS, Johnson should be able to have some tremendous success as he continues his senior career over the next couple of years.
All-Stars
Brock Newton (6'5" G/F, Grade 10 - CWDHS)Newton was head-and-shoulders above much of the camp this weekend -- literally. He possesses excellent size at (essentially) a 2/3 spot; obviously, his offensive game is well known and discussed, but I was personally impressed with what he showcased on the defensive end this weekend as well, especially in terms of ball-pressure and getting after guards on the perimeter. Like Johnson, he had played up at the senior ranks this past season, and will now go into next year with a CWOSSA title and OFSAA appearance under his belt. His confidence (and swagger) are evident, and he's a sure-fire post-secondary prospect.
Stefan Djukic (6'8" F, Grade 10 - Huron Heights)Djukic, a 6'8" big-man, brings small-forward like skills to the court. He displayed a tremendous midrange game over the course of the weekend, and isn't afraid to handle the ball if needed. Of course, he parlays those skills with his size and length, which makes him a factor on the defensive side of the ball. As he fills out his frame, he'll continue to be a big-time prospect on the radar of post-secondary programs.
Aman Saleh (6'0" G, Grade 10 - Grand River)I referred to Saleh as the "microwave" in an earlier camp post, and for good reason -- this guy is an
absolute pure scorer that can get things cooking from anywhere on the court. Inside, outside, athletic maneuvers, he's always in a position to do some damage. The leading scorer in the WCSSAA Junior league this past season, he'll be making the transition up to the senior ranks next season at Grand River. Certainly looking forward to tracking his progress at the next level!
Marcus Barnes (6'1" G, Grade 9 - Cameron Heights)Many people -- including myself -- argue that the biggest development leap for many student-athletes takes place between grade 9 and 10. If that's the case, then the CWOSSA region has been put on notice for Marcus Barnes.
Not like they weren't already, after seeing some of his performances this past season (4 games of 22+ points), but you get the idea. Some guards will find the transfer between junior and senior basketball challenging, but I can assure you that Barnes won't be one of them. He already has a senior-like skill-set and had some of the coaches talking about a couple of post-secondary players to whom he reminded them. Certainly, things can change over the course of a high-school career, but the sky appears to be the limit for this young man.
Tomisin Banjoko (6'3" G/F, Waterloo Collegiate)Another player that has a well-rounded game; his athleticism is evident and above many of his peers -- and it seems as though Banjoko will be next in the long line of talented WCI 'ballers. One of the most steady, consistent performers all weekend, he certainly made sure the little things were done well. Very coachable, excellent young man who can quickly adapt to a camp setting like this and his new teammates. Great camp, and a bright future!
Other Notable Talents
In my view, the following players certainly impressed and were definitely in the mix for all-star consideration. All had excellent camps, and will be forces to be reckoned with throughout their high school careers:
Kevin Martinez (5'9" PG, Lourdes) - One of the best leaders at camp (as you'd want at the PG position), and a player that is always looking to improve his game. Strong as a scorer and distributor; tremendous competitor with a will to win -- I mentioned previously how he put Lourdes on his back this past playoff season as they ran through the D10 playoffs.
Richard Spencer-Raymond (6'1" G, Brantford CI) - Personally, he was one of my favourites at camp. Loved his athleticism, and ability on both ends of the floor. Was willing to sacrifice (taking charges, going after balls out of bounds, etc.), which some players don't want to do. The scary thing? He's only a grade nine.
Jaxon Butler-Davis (6'4" F, St. Benedict) - Helped his squad battle all the way back on Sunday afternoon, displaying his outside shooting ability. However, he has the athleticism to boot (as evidenced by his variety of dunks that he threw down during warmups). Certainly he and fellow Saint, co-MVP Brent Johnson, will be a force in the D8 league next season.
Milos Nenadic (6'5" F, Cameron Heights) - Another grade nine that really impressed me. His length was notable and serves him well on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, he impressed with his mid-range game and ball-handling ability (for his size). Coachable, really took lessons provided to heart and utilized them during drills/game situations.
Shiloh Worthy (6'4" F, Resurrection) - Keeping with the grade nine theme, Shiloh is an athletic big man that has a very high ceiling. Almost has a "senior body" already; able to shoot the three, and not afraid to bang on the interior. One to keep an eye on.
Of course, that's just a short sample of the overall talent this weekend -- the majority of players at camp were top players on their team, league all-stars, etc., and there are sure to be numerous players not mentioned above that will have many successes in their high school careers and move on to play at the next level. It was a lot of fun to watch these young men compete this past weekend and I look forward to keeping tabs on them going forward!
