Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic Top Performers Part 1
Darrell Victory
The Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic 8th Grade Division was loaded top to bottom. Here’s a first look at our top performers.
Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic Top Performers Part 1
Darrell Victory Guard (Riverside Hawks) – Victory did just that for his NYC based famed Riverside program bringing home the victory and the elusive Spotlight Banner in the championship against a solid Team Loaded DC team. Darrell a sturdy built, tough nosed guard that is very difficult to stay in front of. He can get anywhere on the floor using his speed and quickness to penetrate the lane dropping no look passes or scoring himself with a wide array of finishes. He finished with a game high 17 points in the championship and 11 points in the Semifinal.
Francisco Mattei Guard (Riverside Hawks) – Mattei has transitioned nicely to the perimeter with a mixture of skill and a can’t lose attitude he is a player anyone would love to have on their team. Cisco has developed a nice 3 point shot and he could always score around the rim. He rebounds his position very well and always seems to come up with the ball during loose ball situations. He tallied 15 point in the championship and 10 point in the semifinal.
Jaquan Sanders Guard (Riverside Hawks) – Sanders is a high IQ wing guard that has good size and reminds you of a Draymond Green type player. Jaquan just knows how to play the game of basketball the right way and he is a very good 3 point shooter. He also has the ability to make plays for others with his passing ability. He had 12 points in the championship.
Rodney Rice Guard (Team Loaded DC) – Rice runs the point for his team and he looks comfortable doing it. He plays with a good pace and has a nice feel for the game. Rodney can score from all three levels, once known just as a knock down 3 point shooter, he still has that in his game along with a nice pull up off the bounce and a floater at the rim. He also has the ability to get his teammates involved and we saw him make this beautiful full length lead pass to one of his teammates rim running. He finished with 13 points in the championship and 21 points including 5 three pointers in their semifinal thriller.
Quinn Clark Forward (Team Loaded DC) – Clark can do it all from the wing forward position standing at 6’5 he has nice size that translates to the high school level already. He can score out to the 3 point line, handle the ball making plays for himself or others where we saw him drive and drop of to the big in the lane, rebound the basketball and he can defend multiple positions. He is definitely a prospect with a high ceiling.
David Onanina Forward (Team Loaded DC) – David is an imposing 6’8 power forward that plays hard on both ends of the floor. Right now he has just scratched the surface of his potential contributing more on the defensive end blocking shots and rebounding. He does show some promise offensively with a nice touch around the rim and was able to knock down 4 of 5 of his free throws in the two games we watched. He finished with 9 points in both games.
Trey Thomas Guard (Team Loaded DC) – Thomas is a player we have seen for years now and with improved size he just does what he always did better and that is get buckets. Trey can score from all three levels and he is always in attack mode putting pressure on the defense. We also liked his ability to drive and dish to Rice for open 3 pointers. He potentially could be part of one of the better backcourts in the country with him and Rodney Rice.
