2016 Slam Dunk to the Beach
LEWES, DELAWARE – December 28, 2016: Slam Dunk to the Beach game at Cape Henlopen HS in Lewes, Delaware. (Photograph by Rodgers Polk Photography)
Slam Dunk to the Beach is one of the best High School Basketball showcases in the country. Some of the best High School basketball teams in the country came together in Lewes, Delaware to display their talent and hopefully add credibility behind their name. The tournament takes place over a three day span December 27th-29th. I managed to make the 2 hour drive to Delaware to witness the festivities. Teams were stacked with division 1 talent. Spectators jammed the Cape Henlopen High School gymnasium just to get a glimpse of these future professional prospects. Some of these prospects included players on the ESPN top 100 list like Mohammed Bamba, Isaiah Washington, Nick Richards, Quade Green and others.
The Delaware Sports commission has released the Slam Dunk to the Beach All Tournament team and I would have to agree with all of the recipients. Mohammed Bamba (Westtown), Juarez Davis (Sanford), Collin Gillespie (Archbishop Wood), Jalek Felton (Gray Collegiate Academy), De’Vondre Perry (Baltimore Poly), Jeremy Roach (Paul VI) and Keith Williams (Bishop Loughlin) got selected.
The most thrilling game of the tournament had to be Westtown vs Gray Collegiate. Bamba, the 7′ Center from Westtown is probably the best prospect from the class of 2017. He has yet to choose a college. Accompanied by 6’7 Junior swingman Cam Reddish, Westtown was the favorite out the gate. They faced a tough Grays Collegiate team who ranked as high as 16 on the USA Today top 25 list. Their top prospect Jalek Felton, the top ranked player in the state of South Carolina, has committed to the University of North Carolina. Grays also had Juwan Gary, who although is a sophomore is making a name for himself. Bamba and his Westtown team edged out Grays Collegiate by the narrowest of margins 70-68. The game was won on a game winning layup by Bamba. He finished the game with 27 points 13 Rebounds and 4 blocks.
Another All Tournament team recipient was Freshman phenom Jyare Davis. The youngster came out and posted 26 points and 12 Rebounds vs a tough Smyrna (DE) team. This young man plays the game the right way. He doesn’t have to score on every play he touches the ball and is a willing passer. He has range to knock down the 3 but and operates efficiency at the wing or baseline. He’s special.
Representing Archbishop Wood (PA) is Collin Gillespie. I had the opportunity to see this guy play a few days prior at the ACC Philly vs Everybody showcase in Philadelphia. His team reminded me of a 1998 Princeton Tiger team who weren’t hesitant to play hard, compete and make the extra pass. They came to play and collected two wins. The first over USA Today 15th ranked Roselle Catholic where Collin led all scorers. The second win came the expense of the Sandford School (DE) where Collin filled the stat sheet and had 18pts , 9rbs, 6ast and 4 stl.
The next recipient is Jalek Felton. Nephew of NBA veteran Raymond Felton, Jalek absolutely put on a show for all who came to watch. In the game vs Westtown Jalek scored a game high 39 points which included 7 3-pointers and a number of highlight dunks. Felton has committed to the University of North Carolina and the future is looking bright.
LEWES, DELAWARE – December 28, 2016: Slam Dunk to the Beach game at Cape Henlopen HS in Lewes, Delaware. (Video by Overtime)
De’Vondre Perry is another player that I had the opportunity to see play at the ACC Philly vs Everybody showcase in Philadelphia a few days prior. The senior combo guard was doing it all for his Baltimore Poly team. As expected he showed that he was a special player right away and filled up the stat sheet during his time playing. The Temple commit is ready for the next level right now.
LEWES, DELAWARE – December 27, 2016: Slam Dunk to the Beach game at Cape Henlopen HS in Lewes, Delaware. (Video by Overtime)