Meadowcreek H.S. – Norcross, GA

 

Norcross, GA – This is the third year that Reebok has sponsored its signature Headliner Tryout Camp in Atlanta. The camp participants are all competing not only for recognition but for a chance to be invited to the Reebok U All-American Camp in Philadelphia, PA this July. The Reebok U camp has replaced the former prestigious Reebok “ADCB Camp”.

 

ATL - Reebok Headliner Tryout Camp Director - Stacy Allen

Reebok Headliner Training Camp – Atlanta Director Stacy Allen was really excited about the direction the camp has taken. This year there are over 70 players attending the camp with players from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Allen shared his thoughts about the camp and how it has been a blessing to players in and around the Atlanta area.

 “The thinking behind the camp was that Reebok could cut down the size of their big camps by holding smaller camps like this one in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Foxboro and Newark.

A player with no previous recognition now has an opportunity not only to compete against players with named recognition but in the process make a name for himself.

The camp also gives more mid-major level college recruiters a chance to scout and recruit kids that the high major colleges probable will never recruit. Reebok has also done an outstanding job of branding which the players identify with.”
– Stacy Allen Director of the Reebok Headliner Tryout Camp – Atlanta

Coach Sean Jones

Before any games were actually played the players were put through several different offensive and defensive skill sessions. The sessions were conducted by Sean Jones, Director and founder of R U Ready Sports. 

Drill Session
-Full-court Decision Making, 3-man weave, Ball reversal, Outside In Ball movement

-Shooting evaluation drills (Foot movement, reverse open, shooting off  inside pivot, attacking the basket

-2 on 2 defensive drills

-Mid-Range to block drills (Post), Penetrate and kick (Perimeter)

-4 verse 4 evaluation drills (Left hand, Right Hand, help side defense)

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“Drive the Baseline” – Camp Thoughts 

4SHOT Hoops also got a chance to “Drive the Baseline” and get more thoughts about the camp and other tidbits from the players and camp coaches.

 

Coach Tony Allen

Tony Hill – CEO of Atlanta Select Basketball
“A lot of the kids in the inner city love basketball and it’s good that Reebok has brought all of these different coaches together that compete against one another for players year round to teach and give love back to the same players. The camp also attempts to teach the players different life skills. Reebok has done a great job of coming back and giving to these kids. A lot of these kids can’t afford to travel out of town to different big time camps and with this being local a lot more kids have an opportunity to get recognized. The fact that 4SHOT Sports is covering the event is also big for these kids because they look up to you guys.” 

PG - Ricky Tisdale

Ricky Tisdale – 5’ 7” PG, Class of 2011- Bolivar Central H.S., TN
AAU affiliate – The Memphis YMCA

“I came to the camp looking to get some more exposure and a chance to make myself a better player by playing against different competition. Most people don’t know this but I practice on my game a lot and I love to read. If I had a chance to meet anybody in the world it would be Kobe Bryant. I would ask him what he did to make himself a better player.” 

SG - Rico Spears

Rico Spears – 6’ 3” SG, Class of 2009 – Osborn H.S., GA 

AAU affiliate – World Wide Renegades
“I came to the camp for a chance to get some valuable experience and get invited to the Reebok U All-American camp in July. What people don’t know about me is that I enjoy reading, especially real life experience documentaries. If I had a chance to meet anybody in the world it would be Kobe Bryant, and I would like to ask him what motivates him to work so hard.”

PF - Charles Mitchell

Charles Mitchell – 6’ 6” PF, Class of 2012 – Woodland Middle School, GA
AAU affiliate – World Wide Renegades

“Exposure and a trip to the Reebok U All-American camp in Philadelphia are the two things I look to gain from the camp. I would like to work on my dribbling, jump shot and just give others the opportunity to see my all around skills. Believe it or not I use to play volleyball before basketball. If I was given an opportunity to meet anyone in the world it would be Dirk Nowitzki. I would ask him to train me.”

PG - Ryan Fleming

Ryan Fleming – 5’ 9” PG, Class of 2009 – Centennial H.S., GA

AAU affiliate – Lou Will Elite 

“The things that I look to gain from the camp, is to be able to make smarter plays and better decisions on the court. I feel that I can always work on my shooting and defense, which I consider a weak part of my game at times. I guess one thing about me that people wouldn’t know is that my favorite subject is math.  If I had the chance to meet anybody, it would be Chris Paul. I would ask him to work me out.”

 

PG - Clayton McIntosh

Clayton McIntosh – 6’ 1” G, Class of 2010 – Bremen H.S., GA

AAU affiliate - West Georgia Ballers  (last year) 

“I expect to gain a lot of experience by the time I leave this camp. I also like the fact that I will be playing against a lot of really good players. Quite as it’s kept some thing that no would know is that my best sport was tennis. Oh, yea I also play QB on our football team. One day I would like to meet Lebron James, actually I want to see if he wants to play me 1 on 1.”

 

SG - Jeffrey Newberry

Jeffery Newberry – 6’ 2” SG, Class of 2010 – North Clayton H.S., GA

AAU affiliate – GT Stars 

“The Headliner Camp has helped me to better my skills and decision making. These are the things I was looking to gain from the camp, even though I need to work on my ball handling and shooting. My goal is to get invited to the Reebok U All-American camp in Philadelphia. One thing people wouldn’t know about me is that I speak French. If I had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world it would be Lebron James. I would ask him how he got to his level in basketball.”

 

WF - Adrian Rogers

Adrian Rodger – 6’ 6” WF, Class of 2010 – Centennial H.S., GA

AAU affiliate – Lou Will Elite 

“One of the main reasons I came to camp was to get the exposure and see how I stand up to new competition. I feel that I can work on my ball handling, shot decision and my long range three. Even though I am good at basketball, I use to play tennis at an early age. The number one person that I would love to meet is Kobe Bryant, because he is a hard worker. I would ask him what type of drills he does to make himself great.”

PG - Daniel Bester

Daniel Bester – 6’ 0” PG, Class of 2009 – Heritage H.S., GA

AAU affiliate - Team Georgia
” I came to the camp to really help increase my exposure to college recruiters. At home I’m real meticulous about things being kept neat. One of the things I really would like to do is seat down and have a conversation with Mohammad Ali. Just knowing how he could stay cool, cocky and still represent when he knew that there were a lot of people trying to bring him down would be great to know.”

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Reebok Headliner Tryout Camp Atlanta - Team Rosters

Team: Auburn			Team: Georgia Tech			Team: Kentucky
Coach: Cameron Clifft			Coach: Emory Walton			Coach: Desmon Stephens
No.	Players Name		No.	Players Name		No.	Players Name
40	Samuel Kim - 2010		15	Niles Clark - 2012		29	Tres Houston - 2010
11	Garrett Warren - 2009		61	Ramon Thomas - 2010		55	Moch Lual - 2009
81	Devante Drinkard - 2010		85	Kamren Belin - 2010		60	James Jordan - 2009
65	Adrian Rogers - 2010		23	Chris Davis - 2010		84	Micheal Calhoun - 2009
14	Hoderick Lowe - 2011		27	Shaquille Barber - 2009		8	Jeffery Newberry - 2010
2	Kentauris Farley - 2009		35	Derrick Stefor Henry - 2011		25	Jamar Pope - 2011
13	Kevin Dukes - 2009		38	Lanerryl Johnson - 2011		31	Jalen Javers - 2011
4	Antwuan Murphy - 2010		51	Colin Slotter - 2009		37	Shaquille Morris - 2011
						18	Ryan Fleming - 2009
Team: Georgia			Team: NC State			Team: Duke
Coach: Greg Smarr			Coach: Tony Hill			Coach: Darren Stokes
No.	Players Name		No.	Players Name		No.	Players Name
53	Demetrics Whitehorn - 2011		12	Joshua Johnson - 2011		20	Phil Taylor - 2010
58	Wake Ellison - 2009		17	Quintin Square - 2009		32	Sean Jones Jr. - 2009
59	Rico Spears - 2009		62	Ronald Moore - 2011		57	Wayne Swint - 2009
68	Kevin Davis - 2009		63	Demario Mayfield - 2009		87	Nick Venson - 2009
3	Jay Murphy - 2010		88	Charles Mitchell - 2012		1	Adonal Rogers - 2012
16	Bailey Harper - 2011		36	Timothy Hollis - 2009		10	Marquez Blair - 2011
26	Yurick Griggs - 2010		6	Ricky Tisdale - 2010		41	Kejaun Johnson - 2015
64	Armano Jackson  2011		9	Jimmy S. Williams - 2010		56	Jarvis Brown - 2009
			44	Tivius Guthrie - 2012
Team: Florida			Team: Virginia
Coach: Shawn Jones			Coach: Richard Howell
No.	Players Name		No.	Players Name
19	Aryay Strong - 2011		24	Charles Johnson - 2009
39	Myles Johnson - 2010		28	Chad Johnson - 2010
54	Desmond Crisp - 2009		33	Charles T. Shedrick - 2009
86	Henry Brooks Jr. - 2011		82	Kadeem Batts - 2010
5	Dylan Jenkins - 2009		7	Jeff Stubbs - 2009
22	Micheal Nettles - 2010		21	Daniel Bester - 2009
34	Tekele Cotton - 2011		30	Clayton McIntosh - 2010
52	Jamarcus Poplar - 2011		67	Brandon Hayman - 2011
			66	Shane Perchea - 2010

Day 1  - Game Recaps

Virginia vs. Aurburn

The game was back and forth at first, until 6’8” junior Kadeem Batts went bazark in the paint for the Virginia team. Batts finished with a game high 22 points along with 9 rebounds and 3 assists. No wonder the University of Georgia and Colorado are taking a close look.  Not to take anything away from team Auburn. 6’3” junior Samuel Kim and 5’9” Kevin Dukes cashed in with 14 points each. When the buzzer sounded it was coach Richard Howell and Team Virginia walking away with this one by the score 82-74.

Georgia Tech vs. Georgia

This game was just as fierce as the real rivalry. Players were crashing the boards and playing pressure defense. The only thing about it was that no one could hold 4SHOT Hoops camp MVP Shaquille Barber, who led all score with 20 points for the Georgia Tech team. Barber a 6’0” senior from Griffin High School above the rim game and speed reminded you of JR Smith and Monte Ellis. Nevertheless, team Georgia made it a game at times behind the overall play of camps “Mr. Consistent” Rico Spears, a 6’3” shooting guard from Osborne High. Spears game consisted of a sweet jumper, great slashing ability and hard nose defense. Unfortunately, that was not enough, as coach Greg Smarr had to take this “L” as team Georgia Tech left with the victory 78-64.

NC State vs. Auburn

 When it game to the game of the day, the Tigers versus the Wolfpack was it. The 8^th grader Charles Mitchell lit the scoreboard up for 32 points, along with 7 rebound and 2 blocks for NC State. Kut’s Outtake: “I don’t know if NC State head coach Sidney Lowe is going to read this, but he might want to get him now.” Don’t think it was easy as Auburn featured 4 players in double figures (Samuel Kim 14 pts, Antwuan Murphy 12, Adrian Rogers and Kevin Dukes 10). At the end of the buzzer, coach Cameron Cliff would use a team effort to take down the giant to the score 64-60 in favor of the Tigers.

Georgia vs. Duke

Team Georgia bounced back after a lost to Georgia Tech with 16 points from 6’6” shooting guard Wake Ellison who hails from Ashville High School (NC). The senior put on a show with 4 dunks and 3 long range jumpers from deep. Duke on the other hand was lead by 5’9” junior Phil Taylor with 18 points. Give this one to team Georgia 56-50.

NC State vs. Kentucky

After losing to Auburn, NC States Demario Mayfield (6’4” senior Franklin HS – early commit to UGA) was having it. Mayfield led all score with 30 points and 5 rebounds. Kentucky’s 6’7” Michael Calhoun (4SHOT Hoops All Camp Team) from Kennesaw Mountain led his team with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Calhoun’s game extends above the rim and beyond the perimeter. Even though Calhoun’s weight maybe an issue, his potential is off the charts. NC State coach Tony Hill breaks .500 with the win 72-60. 

Duke vs. Florida

The pattern started to be, lose the first one and win the second. As Coach Darren Stoke got on  his players and Duke step it up with a victory over Florida 86-80. Both team had 4 players in double figures. Team Duke:  Phil Taylor 24 pts, Sean Jones Jr. 18, Marquez Blair 13 and Jarvis Brown 10 (Sean Jones Jr. – Power Game).  Florida:  Myles Johnson 17 pts, Micheal Nettles 17, Henry Brooks Jr. 16 and Tekele Cotton 10 points.

Georgia Tech vs. Florida

I was super convinced that no one was going to beat the hometown Georgia Tech team as they demolished Florida 103-69. Six players were in double figures for GT (Colin Slotter 23 pts, Shaquille Barber 19, Kamren Belin 13, Derrick Henry 13, Lanerryl Johnson 12 and Niles Clark 11). Even coach Emory Walton scored a few points for his Yellow Jackets (lol). The Gators were led by Micheal Nettles 18, Myles Johnson 15, Henry Brooks Jr. 12 and Tekele Cotton 10. Georgia Tech would go on to be the only undefeated team on day one.

Kentucky vs. Virginia

Last but not least. Team Kentucky would try to stop 6’3” junior Chad Johnson of Westlake HS in the “Battle of Friends”. Chad would lead all scorers with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 6 dunks. His friend 6’2” point guard Tres Houston from Banneker, would lead Florida with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Even though the two are still best of friends, Houston’s team Florida would take the victory 80-64. Team Florida:  Ryan Fleming 13 points, Jeffery Newberry 12 points and Shaquille Morris 10.

Day 2  - Game Recaps

NC State vs. Duke

Day 2 of the Reebok Headliner Camp wasted no time as it kicked off with the heavyweight match up between the Wolfpack and the Blue Devils. Can team Duke’s Phil Taylor and Sean Jones Jr. take down Charles “Da Goliath” Mitchell along with the rest of NC State? Well it didn’t take long to see that Duke was ready as Taylor and Jones scored the first two baskets of the game. Mitchell answered back with a put back dunk as everyone’s attention turned towards this game. When the smoke cleared, it was coach Tony Hill and team NC State with the victory 72-67. Charles led all scores with 34 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Ricky Tisdale a 5’8” shooting guard from Bolivar Central High (TN) poured in 14 points. Taylor and Jones combined for 48 points in the valiant effort (Taylor 25 & Jones 23).

Auburn vs. Florida

The player that seemed to catch the 4SHOT Radar was team Auburn’s Samuel Kim. The 6’3” shooting guard from St. Francis would cash in the second double-double of the day with 20 points and 12 rebounds, as his team rolled away with the victory over Florida 106-91. Even though Kim was impressive, his teammate Kevin Dukes (5’9” point guard from Stephenson) stole the show with 34 points 10 rebounds. It takes a lot to score 106 points and Auburns Garrett Warren (6’0” point guard, Mays HS) would contribute with 28 points and 6 rebounds. Myles Johnson (6’2” shooting guard Wheeler HS) would constantly beep on the last day for the Gators as he led his team with 26 points. Tekele Cotton (5’11” shooting guard South Cobb) also scored 20 points for team Florida.

Georgia Tech vs. Auburn

Could Auburn take down the invincible Georgia Tech team after beating Florida by 15 points? The answer was quick as Shaquille Barber would dunk on the first play to put Georgia Tech out front and they never looked back. The Yellow Jackets now take their 3-0 record on to play Virginia, as they win this one 113-97. Georgia Tech would have 6 players in double figures, as the Tigers would be led by Kevin Dukes with 23 points, Garrett Warren 22 points and Quintin Square (5’9” point guard Norcoss) 20 points.

Kentucky vs. Georgia

The player that seemed to get increasingly better every game was Tres Houston for team Kentucky. Unfortunately team Georgia had to take on his 20 points in a 76-66 loss. Kevin Davis led team Georgia with 12 points. Team Georgia and Coach Greg Smarr would fall under .500 (1-2).

Georgia Tech vs. Virginia

Before the game got started coach Winton asked me if anyone would could be Shaquille Barber and Georgia Tech? I guess he should have asked Coach Richard Howell and team Virginia as they pulled off the upset of the undefended Yellow Jackets 84-81. In a Valiant effort Barber scored 22 points and Derrick Henry (6’2” sophomore Newton) contributed 18 for Georgia Tech. On the other hand, Charles T. Shedrick (6’2” shooting guard  Chapel Hill HS) score a game high 24 points and teammate Brandon Hayman (6’4” Wing Forward Mill Creek) cashed in for 22 points.

Virginia vs. Florida

Once Virginia got on a roll it was on. Chad Johnson showed up on day 2 to led all scores with 20 points along with 9 rebounds. Teammates Charles Johnson (5”10 senior Meadowcreek) and Brandon Hayman both scored 15 points each. I and camp director Stacy Allen agree that it is something at times that makes you want to like Charles game. The Gators were led by Henry Brooks Jr. (6’7” Sophomore PF Meadowcreek) 16 points and Michael Nettles 15 points. Virginia wins two in a row 77-65.

NC State vs. Georgia

In the last game of the camp, everyone knew that it was only a matter of time until Wakefield “Da Real Deal” Ellison had a break out game with 18 points. The way Ellison attacked the basket and drill numerous jump shots, he appeared at times unstoppable. NC State coach Tony Hill would counter attack with his secret weapon in Tennessee finest Ricky Tisdale 18 points. The two out of state players represented their states well. 

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 Reebok Headliner Tryout Camp - Atlanta

Top 15 Scorers

No#	Players Name	Gms	Pts Scored	Avg PPG
88	Charles Mitchell - 2012	4	94	23.5
20	Phil Taylor - 2010	4	89	22.25
13	Kevin Dukes - 2009	4	81	20.25
27	Shaquille Barber - 2009	4	79	19.75
35	Derrick Stefor Henry - 2011	4	71	17.75
28	Chad Johnson - 2010	4	66	16.5
58	Wake Ellison - 2009	4	65	16.25
39	Myles Johnson - 2010	4	65	16.25
51	Colin Slotter - 2009	4	65	16.25
32	Sean Jones Jr. - 2009	4	62	15.5
67	Brandon Hayman - 2011	4	62	15.5
11	Garrett Warren - 2009	3	60	15
22	Micheal Nettles - 2010	4	60	15
40	Samuel Kim - 2010	4	59	14.75
86	Henry Brooks Jr. - 2011	4	56	14

Top 15 Rebounders

No#	Players Name	Gms	Tot Rebs	Avg RPG
28	Chad Johnson - 2010	4	35	8.75
40	Samuel Kim - 2010	4	31	7.75
67	Brandon Hayman - 2011	4	26	6.50
88	Charles Mitchell - 2012	4	26	6.50
86	Henry Brooks Jr. - 2011	4	25	6.25
87	Nick Venson - 2009	4	21	5.25
66	Shane Perchea - 2010	4	20	5.00
18	Ryan Fleming - 2009	3	20	6.67
68	Kevin Davis - 2009	4	19	4.75
20	Phil Taylor - 2010	4	16	4.00
84	Micheal Calhoun - 2009	4	16	4.00
13	Kevin Dukes - 2009	4	15	3.75
11	Garrett Warren - 2009	3	15	5.00
51	Colin Slotter - 2009	4	15	3.75
65	Adrian Rogers - 2010	4	15	3.75

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4SHOT Hoops
Reebok Headliner Tryout All-Camp Team