Cartersville, GA - Camp 1: April 25th 2009 JH Morgan Gym

Co-Founder - Ernest Scott

Cartersville, GA  - When it comes to giving players the opportunity to showcase their talents, none do it better than the Paradigm Athletic Services "Unsigned Exposure Camps". The 2009 camp in Carterville Georgia featured coaches from Furman, Western Carolina, Life University and North Metro Tech just to name a few. 4SHOT Hoops was on scene to bring you the run down of the camp. The players were plentiful, most from the north Georgia and Tennessee area.  Before things got started I had a chance to sit down with Co-Founder and camp director Ernest Scott.

One of the first things I asked him was why the name Paradigm Athletics? He stated, “If you look up paradigm in the dictionary you will find that it’s a pinnacle, something that serves as a model. My partner Will Lewis and I wanted to have a camp with great quality even if it seems like the level of product wasn’t that high. The idea for the camp came about when I actually got my start at a camp just like this, when I spent most of my senior year in high school hurt. I came out to an unsigned camp and got on at Valdosta State University and have since played in the NBDL (Currently with Mid Grande Valley Vipers) and Internationally. There are lots of players out there that can really play but never get the chance or opportunity to showcase their talent.  One out of five guys that attend the camp will get a solid offer to attend college or more. We just don’t want to have camps; our future goals are to help players with their academics, business and personal skills. Also, increase the one on one training with players.”   

Victor Shell (Bolton High School,TN) - 6'6 170lb. 77 Wing Span 

If there was a MVP of the camp, then Victor Shell would have been it. The 6'6 unsigned senior had the coaches and the crowd going crazy. Shell length, hustle and the ability to play above the rim was remarkable. I deem the kid, "My Protégé" from the start. Victor has great upside, runs the floor well, blocks out and knows how to get in position for the rebound. The Bolton High star doesn't back down from the competition, shows a nice mid-range jumper, connected on numerous put backs and showed a couple of post moves.

Coaches: If you still have a scholarship available and a player is what you need. You want go wrong with 6'6 Victor Shell. What a steal, someone in Tennessee missed.

Brice Kellogg (Cedartown High School,GA) - 6'0 160lb. 75 Wing Span

The 6’0 shooting guard Brice Kellogg was the next best shooter in the camp but with more to offer on the defense side of the ball. Kellogg was deadly from any where on the floor with the jumper. His speed allowed him to get out on the break for the easy lay-up and he also rebounded well against the bigger defenders. Brice quick hands allow him to set his opponent up for the steal. Not a shot blocker but he did have two in game one, due to his incredible vertical. Kellogg knows how to stretch on defense, making it hard for his opponent to drive or score.

Weakness: Not a quick first step but can develop that with time.  Lack intensity on some plays, which results in taking plays off. Brice could use a little more weight to prevent from being backed down into the paint by the bigger opponent.

Coaches: Kellogg is definitely a utility player that can come in and give you points off the bench, instant offense and credible defense. I might have to take a trip to Cedartown next year.  

Damien Carter (Rome High School, GA) - 6'1 205lb. 76 Wing Span

The definition of a small power forward, 6’1 Damien Carter of Rome High School put on at the camp. Carter presents on the inside made it hard for the guards to drive the lane and his wide body made it difficult for his opponent to rebound. Believe it or not Carter should range from the three-point line but his strength was on rebounding and defense. Damien showed also a couple of post moves and had several dunks. Carter has been taught well how to post and call for the ball.

Weakness: Tends to be too unselfish giving the ball up to the guards when he has position under the goal. Showed signs of being nonchalant when not evolved in the offense.

Coaches: If strength is what you need, then there is strength on deck. 

Devaris Finsch (Johnson Gainesville HS, GA) - 5'9 150lb. 71 Wing Span

The quickest player in the camp player in the camp would be Johnson Gainesville High Schools Devaris Finch. The 5’9 point guard created well off the dribble and showed the ability to get to the basket at will. Finch also showed the ability to guard the bigger guards and quickness to get back to his opponent after helping out on the double team. Devaris hit several mid-range jumpers, showing us the art of the mid-range game is still alive. At 5’9 his first dunk we thought was luck until he did it again.

Weakness: Devaris must work on his decision making from a point guard standpoint and must learn when to slow it down some. Sometime his quickness leads to turnovers. 

Coaches: A fast guard that can get to the basket with no fear. This kid can really go! 

Earl Epps III (Ringgold High School, GA) - 5'8 170lb. 65 Wing Span

Earl Epps III might have been the smallest guy in the camp at 5’8 but he had the biggest heart. The Ringgold high point guard moved over to the shooting guard position and should range from the three-point line. Epps also ran the floor on both ends of the court from start to finish, never taking a break. Earl had several lay-ups at first as his defender underestimated his size. When move to the point he was a general putting everybody in position. Plays tight defense, frustrating his opponent at all times. 

Weakness: Due to his height a lot of guys shot over the top of him, nothing you can do about that, I am pretty sure he is done growing.  

Coaches: Will be a solid guard to have to give your starting guard a breather with an exceptional skill sets. Can’t teach heart!

Eric Holland (Ringgold High School, GA) – 6’0 165lb. 75 Wing Span

Due to a brace on his right arm, Eric Holland didn’t have his full arsenal at work but the things he could do he did well.  Take for instants rebounding, Holland average 10 rebounds a game. Eric scored all his points in the point when able to place his hands on the ball on the turn around move and on the offensive put backs. One thing that won’t go into the stat book but what he does well is set screens. All of the screens were crisp and he automatically rolled to the basket. Holland also sees the ball off the rim well, which can be rare. 

Weakness: Not much on the offensive side of the ball and at 6’0 what positions will he play is hard to determine.    

Coaches: The kid can rebound and play in any system. 

Josh Brown (McEachern High School, GA) – 5’10 155lb. 71 Wing Span

When you play in the backcourt with Trae Golden you can’t help but be great. Josh Brown represented McEachern High School well as he ran the offensive and made defenders miss with his crossover moves. Brown is hard to stop once going to the basket; he shoots the three-pointer well and has an average mid-range game. Brown is very tough on defense, making it hard for his opponent to drive to the basket. Has no problem playing the bigger defender and is your average rebounder.  

Weakness: Brown is not as fast as he could be, I would like to see him work on setting up his opponent for the steal more.    

Coaches: Not that much work a coach would have to do if he gets brown on his team. He is very season.  

Marquel Manior (Effingham High School, GA) – 6’3 190lb. 77 Wing Span

In most camps like this, no one plays defense. I guess 6’3 Marquel Manior didn’t get the memo. Manior was doing it all; he was a monster on the boards, super on defense, had several steals, numerous put backs and dunks. Marquel even stepped back beyond the arch to give the crowd a dose of the three-pointer. Whatever his team need he delivered. The player with the least weakness would have been Manior.  

Weakness: Tends do get frustrated with his fellow teammates when they miss a shot or make a mistake.

Coaches: Will be a great player on a good team. 

Nicholas Welsh (Polaris Evening School, GA) – 5’9 170lb. 72 Wing Span

A solid guard that you can tell was moved from the shooting guard position to the point. Ran the point well but need to be more selfish with his shot. His biggest positive is that Welsh is definition of a team player. Only thing about it in a camp as this that might not stand out as much in scouts eyes. Nicholas hit his shots when presented to him and slash to the baskets for several lay ups. He has the prototype body for a guard but not the height. He defense was average but recovery speed was phenomenal.   

Weakness: Lacked intensity at points. Welsh maybe to small to play at an upper level.

Coaches: He body is perfect but the height is the question.

Taurean Dallas (Rome High School, GA) – 5’11 145lb. 70 Wing Span

You could tell right away that Taurean Dallas knows the game. The point guard from Rome High School has the swagger as if he has been playing the game of basketball all his life.  A very smoove guard that can get to the basket with ease, loves to drive the baseline, can hit the pull up jumper and sees his teammate out the corner of his eye. Great court vision, plays with his head up, looks for the steal and runs the floor well. Works the no look pass and stretches wide on defense.    

Weakness: Needs a three-point shot bad, average defender with no rebounding skills. Tends to favor his right hand versus his left.  

Coaches: Learns fast and get things going.

Terrence Mitchell (Ringgold High School, GA) – 5’8 170lb. 74 Wing Span

One of the strongest guards in the camp, you could tell Terrence Mitchell and the weight room were best friends. Mitchell played some at the point and the shooting guard position. The combo guard was solid driving to the basket and was able to snatch several rebounds. His mid-range game was average but his first step was phenomenal.    

Weakness: Too much muscle affected his shot from long range. Gets lost on defense. Not a great passer at all. He is a shoot first pass second type of guard. Height may be an issue.  

Coaches: A strong combo guard.