Nike Peach Jam Tips Off

UConn commit Kemba Walker proves his playmaking skills in overtime win

July 12, 2007

By Van Coleman

CSTV & Hoopmasters.com


	Van Coleman Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts. E-mail here!

We survived a tornado, several inches of rain and some sixty-mile-per-hour winds Wednesday to arrive Thursday morning in North Augusta, S.C. at the Riverview Center for the opening session of the Nike Peach Jam tournament.

The tournament features 24 of Nike's 17-under squads, as well as 16 of their 16-under teams. It is a deep field with a high level of competition and that was evident in two of the games we watched this morning.

The first barnburner kicked off the morning's action, as the Georgia Stars held on to nip the Alabama Challenge, 79-73, after a hard fought second half. The Challenge had trailed the Stars 67-49 early in the half, but charged back to close the gap to six at 68-62 with just three minutes to play. Both squads had mini-runs down the stretch, but the Stars were able to hold on for the win. The Challenge was led by 6-foot-9 JaMychal Green, who made almost every free throw down the stretch to keep his squad close, and finished with a game high 26 points. His teammate, 6-foot-7 wing man Noel Johnson, chipped in with 15 points. The Stars were led by 6-foot-5 wing man Travis Leslie with 19 points. He got solid support from 6-foot-7 Wesley Witherspoon with 18 points and 6-foot-9 Al-Farouq Aminu, who chipped in with 12 points in the opener.

The Challenge was led by 6-foot-9 JaMychal Green, who made almost every free throw down the stretch to keep his squad up, and finished with a game high 26 points. 6-foot-7 wing man Noel Johnson chipped in with 15 points.

The Stars were led by 6-foot-5 wing man Travis Leslie with 19 points. He got solid support from 6-foot-7 Wesley Witherspoon with 18 points and 6-foot-9 Al-Farouq Aminu with 12 points in the opener.

But that game was just a pre-cursor for the best game of the morning round. The New York Gauchos won a heart-stopper in overtime, as 6-foot-8 Kevin Phillips made a lay-up at the buzzer to nip Team Stat, 74-73.

The Gauchos trailed most of the way, including a 40-28 deficit at the half. They managed to keep chipping away at Team Stat's lead and eventually tie it up at 55-all with 3:52 to play.

An 8-3 run took the `Chos to their biggest lead, 63-58, with just over two minutes to play. Still, Team Stat wouldn't yield and came running back to knot it at 66 at the end of regulation.

The New York squad took an early lead in the overtime, as 6-foot-1 Connecticut commit Kemba Walker and sweet shooting 6-foot-2 wingman Chris Fouch hit a couple of quick buckets to put them up 70-68. Team Stat roared right back as 6-foot Miguel Paul made an old fashioned three-point play to put his club up, 71-70.

6-foot-2 Darryl Bryant would hit two free throws for the Gauchos and give them a 72-71 lead with 29 seconds to play. 6-foot-4 Shannon Cox returned the favor for Team Stat to put the Florida squad up 73-72 with six ticks left on the clock.

Then, the time came for Walker to make something happen. The future Husky took it end to end, hitting a wide open Kevin Phillips for the lay-in as the buzzer sounded - a fitting end to these two resilient teams' game.

The Gauchos were led by Darryl Bryant with 20 points, while Kevin Phillips added 14 points and Chris Fouch chipped in with 15 points. Team Stat's top gun was Miguel Paul, who finished with a game high 20 points. 6-foot-9 Mike Davis added 19 points and Shannon Cox added 10 points in the loss.

There were a number of quality individual performers in North Augusta as the day moved forward. Here's a quick look at who performed well this morning at the Nike Peach Jam:

JaMychal Green - 6-foot-9 PF (Alabama Challenge) Montgomery, AL St. Jude: Was on fire around the hoop. He hit the little jump hook floating to the lane, popped out and knocked down the 15-footer and was near perfect at the free throw line, hitting five of six down the stretch when it counted.

Noel Johnson - 6-foot-7 WF (Alabama Challenge) Fayetteville, GA Fayette County: Showed his versatility by knocking down the 17-footer, creating penetration off the dribble and making solid passes to his teammates.

Xavier Henry - 6-foot-6 (2009) SG (Athlete's First) Oklahoma City, OK Putnam City: Was at the top of his game, as the physical 210-pounder just flat destroyed people off the dribble in the games we watched. He knocked down three to set up penetration, and showed a good intermediate game as well. He had 12 points in the first half of game we watched.

Ed Davis - 6-foot-9 PF (Boo Williams) Richmond, VA Benedictine: Smooth around the hoop, he finishes in traffic with people hanging on him. He hit the 15 footer and used it to set up his drive to hoop. He made big plays down the stretch as Boo Williams won its opener. He finished with 14 points and close to double digit boards.

Lakeem Jackson - 6-foot-5 WG (Charlotte Royals) Charlotte, NC Harding: One of the opening round's main surprises. The powerful point forward attacked the hoop off the dribble, finished with the flush or the floater off the glass. He hit the open jumper, but needs to work on his release some as he shoots it a little flat. But he definitely had a number of coaches Thursday morning wondering, `Who is that guy?'

Travis Leslie - 6-foot-5 SG (Georgia Stars) Decatur, GA Columbia: Another surprise performer. He knocked down the open jumper and really exploded off the dribble to the hoop. He is long and athletic, and uses those gifts to score in traffic. He had 19 points in the opener.

Wesley Witherspoon - 6-foot-7 (2009) WF (Georgia Stars) Duluth, GA Berkmar: Really impressive, scoring 18 points, mainly off of quick drives to the hoop that he finished with some big-time slams. He did hit a couple of pull-up jumpers from 15-17 feet to keep the defense honest.

Samardo Samuels - 6-foot-9 PF (Metro Hawks) Newark, NJ St. Benedict's: Was back to being his own dominant self Thursday morning as he scored with either hand around the hoop and knocked down the elbow jumper. He also made some excellent feeds to backdoor cutters. He finished with 20 points in the opener and had 5-6 assists as well.

Darryl Bryant - 6-foot-2 SG (NY Gauchos) Bronx, NY St. Raymond's - Seems to always find a way to win games, as he scored 20 points to keep the Gauchos close Thursday. He hit the 17-footer, finished at the rim, and flat out kept his team in it.

Dan Jennings - 6-foot-8 PF (NY Gauchos) Brooklyn, NY Bishop Loughlin: A defensive force in the second half Thursday, he blocked five shots, dominated the glass, and scored on a couple put backs in key spots. His stock is rising!

Scott Suggs 6-foot-6 WF (St. Louis Eagles) Washington, MO: Was on fire! He knocked down the three and finished the drive in traffic in route to a 20 point outing versus Boo Williams. He showed the ability to create the dribble drive with the crossover move that left opponents wondering where he went a couple of times.

Quincy Roberts - 6-foot-5 SG (Team Final) Harrisburg, PA: At the top of his game Thursday morning as he hit the jumper from the arc or off the dribble. He can really stroke it if left open and isn't bashful if left open for a split second. Should be a good one for Miami (FL).

Miguel Paul - 6-foot PG (Team Stat) Lakeland, FL Kathleen: Sure is one quick point with the ball in the open court. He can stick the three or penetrate and kick it to the open man, or finish at the rim in traffic. He scored 22 points and had at least a half dozen assists while we watched.

Mike Davis - 6-foot-8 PF (Team Stat) Valdosta, GA Williams: Tough to stop once he got to the paint where he used his length and hops to score with regularity. He has a nice jump hook or turnaround off the glass and used them to finish with 19 points. He needs to add some strength, but has the tools to play at a high-major level.

We'll have more updates from the Nike Peach Jam over the next couple days, right here at "Generation Next."