Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic 8th Grade Top Performers Part 3
Rahmir Barno
The Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic 8th Grade Division featured some of the top talent in the region. Here’s Part 3 of our Top Performers.
Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic 8th Grade Top Performers Part 3
Rahmir Barno Guard (Philly Triple Threat)- Barno is becoming a complete guard that can get to any spot on the floor. We like the intelligence that he plays with. Barnes has the natural ability to put his teammates in the right position; He is true leader on the court. Barnes can also get to the rim and finish through contact. He has a nice stroke from three that he consistently knocks down in big situations.
Devin Johnson Guard (Philly Triple Threat) - Johnson plays the game with passion and reckless abandonment. Johnson does whatever his team needs him to do to win. We saw him play every position for his team and did a tremendous job doing so. We like the engine that he plays with; Johnson seem to understand that every possession counts at his young age. He helped Philly Triple Threat get to the semifinals this weekend.
Mark Bailey Guard (Philly Triple Threat)- Bailey plays alongside Barno which gives PTT one of the quickest backcourts in the region. Bailey can operate from the point or the off-guard spot. His job is to put pressure on the defense with dribble drives and nice passes. He can also score with a floater, mid-range pull up or tough finish at the tin.
Akil Watson Forward (East Coast Elite)- Watson put on a show this weekend. Akil is a 6’5 guard that can put the ball on the floor, pull for a midrange or hit a three. His slender athletic body helps him to get wherever he wants on the floor. At 6’5 Akil can also a defensive nightmare for smaller guards. His potential is endless and Watson is just scratching the surface of what he is able to do. Watson also has nice layup package that he uses to finish easily at the rim.
Tarik Watson Forward (East Coast Elite)-Tarik is the #1 seventh grader playing up on the eighth grade level; Watson did not disappoint this weekend. Watson was doubled and tripled team and still was able to help his team to victories. He has tremendous footwork in the post and can finish with either hand. What we liked about him was ability to defend guards in pick and roll situations. Watson 6’6 frame is agile enough to taken guards and defend them. Tarik ability to dominate the inside at this level is incredible; he will have a bright future if he continues to work.
Arthur Harris Forward (East Coast Elite)-Harris is just back from a shoulder injury but was still able to showcase his defensive and offensive skills. He attacked the rim and was able to finish with either hand. Harris can shut down some of the better guards at his position; his ability to play defense and block shots at the guard position is tremendous. We saw Harris run players down and block shots off the backboard.
