Derryck "Houdini" Thornton (Cali Styles)The HypeSports Winter Jam in Dallas, Texas was more than just HYPE. It featured some of the nation’s best ballers from all ages and was not short on highlights.
The 14U standouts:
Derrick Thornton #11 CaliStyles: the Cali-Kid knows how to get lead a team to the promise land. His athleticism, length, quickness, and toughness willed his team to the victory lane throughout this tournament. This point guard sets his teammates up and still finds ways to get his shots off easily. He got to the charity stripe religiously. His cat-like, stalker, harassing style on defensive upset several opposing point guards that went up against him.
Terrance Ferguson #1 Flower Mound Rebels: by far the best consistent performer in the tournament. This smooth, long and lanky (6 3”), athletic guard put on an all around game that was matched by no one. By far one of the best shooters in the country that also can give you fits on the other end of the court too. Averaged at least 20 points per game and was very solid in every other stat.
Cameron McGriff #32 DFW Defenders: this 6 5” big man was all over the place, whether it was on the boards, blocking shots, finishing in transition and in the paint, he did it with authority and left little doubt about this young man being worth national recognition. Still a little on the raw side in the post but his ceiling is high, this is only his third year playing, but he was one of the most explosive leapers in the tournaments, displaying a few dazzling dunks.
Tyreke Bennett#23 Dallas Mustangs: a recently reclassified stud was everything and bag of chips for his team. What did he not do was the question? He handled the rock and got to the cup as if no one was on the floor in front of him. His slashing and scoring abilities were second to none. Runs the floor and finishes like a man. Was very effective on the boards too.
DeVearl Ramsey#0 CaliStyles: wow, this Masarati was running with some power and acceleration throughout the tournament because he ran by everyone that was supposed to be guarding him. It was even uglier on the defensive end, whoever he was guarding was on the MISSING IN ACTION list. His mid-range pull-up jumper’ game was on crazy automatic.
Gilbert Thomas#45 Houston Hoops: another 6 5” big man that has athleticism and quickness. He was a monster on the boards and had several impressive dunks. He ran the floor very well on both ends, blocking shots easily, rebound and kicked out several passes that led to easy buckets for his teammates.
Devin McCollough#1 Urban DFW Elite: this 6 1” shooting guard was Ray Allen-like throughout the tournament. He can shoot with the best of them and he knew how to create space to get that jumper off. His length gave opponents problems on both ends of the court.
Josh Parrish #1 Texas Elite: one of the best all-around players in the DFW Metroplex and he did nothing to diminish that reptoire. He’s 6 2” and can do it all so naturally. His ability to get to the rim is amazing and he sets up his teammates easily, which is a trait that often gets overlooked . He defended and rebounded against the opposing big men effectively.
Kenny Cooper #5 Team Texas Elite: this athletic guard has been hovering under the DFW Metroplex rad for some time now but this tournament revealed a guard on the rise. His strength, quickness and aggressive style of play was evident throughout. He scored often, he dished the rock to open teammates for easy scores, and he even shut down opposing players all day. Despite playing in the shadow of backcourt mate Deon Barrett, Cooper has shown the ability to be able to lead this team at any time.
Chase Winchester #15 DFW Defenders: young man’s pull-up jumper from anywhere was second to none. Can flat out score from anywhere and has the athleticism to do whatever he wants on any given day.
Mikie McGraw #13 Texas Express: another young man that can shoot from any area code. Pure shooting is what he does, very consistent too. Handled the ball very well, looked very comfortable on both ends of the floor. He scored on everyone that guarded him this weekend.
