iS8 Playoffs this coming weekend featuring SJU recruits

LOL at kob. 

Also, Moe tweeted last night that there's a chance he might not play today because of his ankle.  Said he's going to try but it will be iffy.

He shouldn't play. He could barely walk.

also the "move ur feet lose ur seat and if u argue about it we gonna fight " rule is in effect at the gym. so the trick is for on person to leave and get the franks and soda while the other saves his spot. ps thanks for the hot dogs dave

haha no problem. I'm happy I didn't opt for the Chili that was a long ride home.

Haven't seen any reports on how Gathers played as is8.  Anyone see him play?

Gathers had some real incredible finishes on oops from JT (hopefully a future connection). He is built like a D1 linebacker, an absolute physical specimen. Reminded of Anthony Glover as an undersized but built power forward. Talked with his advisor outside the  gym with Trabinowitz and right now were his favorite, with LSU and Texas also showing mad love, and apparently UConn and Syracuse have jumped in the game late. Would be a nice get. Some time in the gym with Hines and he has the potential to be unstoppable.

Some other notes -

Jevon Thomas - Anybody that had doubts whether this could kid score the ball should put those doubts to rest. He around 20 points - couple 3's, jumpers, FT's, and some finishes in traffic. In transition he puts it in another gear. One of the best things is that he is very vocal, telling teammates where they should be and correcting plays for the next time. No wonder Jay Wright was on this kid, he has a very bright future.

Amir Garrett - Had 9 points, honestly should have had 19 if the guards (both Rutgers bound) had any clue what to do off a rebound. Multiple times Garrett was racing down the court waiting for an easy outlet that would have been an uncontested dunk and his backcourt consistently dribbled the air outta the ball. On a positive note he didnt seem to get frustrated and he is prolly used to playing most without the basketball on that star studded Findley team that had Kabongo and Nick Johnson. Had two redic blocks. He's gonna be really good in our system with his length.

Moe Harkless - As TRab mentioned, Harkless got hurt very early in yesterday's game, but did have a nice follow and banged a three from the wing before his early exit. Kid can really score the ball. Gonna be really hard to keep him off the floor next year.

Jakarr Sampson - His body is built for our defense. Incredible wing span. Gonna be a little bit of an offensive project, but with all our kids coming in good to have guys that can do different things. Actually has a decent handle for a big guy. Solid mid range game.

Dom Pointer - First off, should have played more down the stretch, even on a loaded team, but for anybody that was there, the guy coaching his team wasnt exactly John Wooden. Pointer gets up in your gym shorts. You can tell he really prides himself on that. Very unselfish as he passed up a few layups and dunks so it would be an easier bucket. Another guy that is going to need some work finding his offensive niche in the halfcourt, but is going to kill it in transition just like Garrett and Sampson.

Sju20 forgot to say how sampson got dunked on twice the 2nd being absolutely disgusting. Garrett doesn't look like he is a offensive player but he is gonna cause problems on the break. Same with dom but the defense that st.johns is gonna play  because of those two is gonna be sic. Pure ebola virus sic. They get up on their man and cause hell.

Sju20 forgot to say how sampson got dunked on twice the 2nd being absolutely disgusting. Garrett doesn't look like he is a offensive player but he is gonna cause problems on the break. Same with dom but the defense that st.johns is gonna play  because of those two is gonna be sic. Pure ebola virus sic. They get up on their man and cause hell.

Who dunked on him?

Quote from: kob24 on May 15, 2011, 02:36:35 PM

Sju20 forgot to say how sampson got dunked on twice the 2nd being absolutely disgusting. Garrett doesn't look like he is a offensive player but he is gonna cause problems on the break. Same with dom but the defense that st.johns is gonna play  because of those two is gonna be sic. Pure ebola virus sic. They get up on their man and cause hell.

Who dunked on him?

Andy Hall, never heard of him before. Heard him speak and he's definitely from somewhere in Africa.

Maurice Harkless watched from the bench Sunday as his Real Scout AAU team demolished NIA Prep, 74-48, in the iS8/Nike Spring Classic quarterfinals.

With Harkless on the bench with a bruised ankle, his future St. John’s teammate, forward JaKarr Sampson (pictured at left), dominated with 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting, 7 rebounds and 1 block.

-----

Looking ahead to the semis, Real Scout could potentially feature four St. John’s signees in Harkless, Sampson, Harrison and Pelle.

“Definitely Norvel, I don’t know about D’Angelo,” Sampson said. “That’s going to be fun, that’s going to be fun.”

Read More:
http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/05/15/st-johns-signees-repping-big-at-is8/#more-52326

lol I bet Nate is going to chew out Sampson for leaking that

Really awesome that Pelle and possibly D'Angelo will be playing as wewll.  I think this is a great effort to get these kids developing chemistry early.  Very slick and very cool.  Wanna see what these kids can do.  We have a dynamic roster next year, and I think it is absolutely amazing how all of them have bought in, and are all playing is8 now. Another credit to Lavin both building the "family" attitude at SJU as well as developing local relations with the AAU guys.  Anybody who doubts that Lavin is getting monstrous amount of cred with local basketball guys is fooling themselves.  Guys like KOB can probably confirm, but Lavin is certainly not hurting his case with NYC recruits by infusing the out of town SJU signees intomthe IS-8 scene.  From what I have heard, Lavin already has built a great relationship with the local coaches and it seems it is getting better all the time. Kudos to a coach that knows how to get it done.  Just watching this stuff unravel is fantastic and is cretating a buzz in NYC at every level.

Gathers had some real incredible finishes on oops from JT (hopefully a future connection). He is built like a D1 linebacker, an absolute physical specimen. Reminded of Anthony Glover as an undersized but built power forward. Talked with his advisor outside the  gym with Trabinowitz and right now were his favorite, with LSU and Texas also showing mad love, and apparently UConn and Syracuse have jumped in the game late. Would be a nice get. Some time in the gym with Hines and he has the potential to be unstoppable.

Some other notes -

Jevon Thomas - Anybody that had doubts whether this could kid score the ball should put those doubts to rest. He around 20 points - couple 3's, jumpers, FT's, and some finishes in traffic. In transition he puts it in another gear. One of the best things is that he is very vocal, telling teammates where they should be and correcting plays for the next time. No wonder Jay Wright was on this kid, he has a very bright future.

Amir Garrett - Had 9 points, honestly should have had 19 if the guards (both Rutgers bound) had any clue what to do off a rebound. Multiple times Garrett was racing down the court waiting for an easy outlet that would have been an uncontested dunk and his backcourt consistently dribbled the air outta the ball. On a positive note he didnt seem to get frustrated and he is prolly used to playing most without the basketball on that star studded Findley team that had Kabongo and Nick Johnson. Had two redic blocks. He's gonna be really good in our system with his length.

Moe Harkless - As TRab mentioned, Harkless got hurt very early in yesterday's game, but did have a nice follow and banged a three from the wing before his early exit. Kid can really score the ball. Gonna be really hard to keep him off the floor next year.

Jakarr Sampson - His body is built for our defense. Incredible wing span. Gonna be a little bit of an offensive project, but with all our kids coming in good to have guys that can do different things. Actually has a decent handle for a big guy. Solid mid range game.

Dom Pointer - First off, should have played more down the stretch, even on a loaded team, but for anybody that was there, the guy coaching his team wasnt exactly John Wooden. Pointer gets up in your gym shorts. You can tell he really prides himself on that. Very unselfish as he passed up a few layups and dunks so it would be an easier bucket. Another guy that is going to need some work finding his offensive niche in the halfcourt, but is going to kill it in transition just like Garrett and Sampson.

Good analysis.  Jevon can flat ball.

“People in my neighborhood tell me if I don’t win I’m like [John] Calipari – I get all the talent, but I don’t get it done,” he said. “If I win, I’m the black Bobby Knight.”

Wiggins tends to be hard on his players in the tournament, demanding all-out effort at both ends of the floor. He doesn’t often call plays, letting his talent showcase itself.

“It’s cool, he lets us play, get up and down,” said Pointer, who scored 23 points in Sunday's win. “He yells a little bit, but after the play it’s over.”

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/basketball/streetball_coach_wiggins_leads_inspired_Rh8DgZaT6eNqtQxYtjf4RI#ixzz1MVs17N9R

A few quick thoughts on Sunday at IS8 before I rush to work:

Amir Garrett is bigger and stronger than I expected and was the lead man on almost every break but nobody was looking for him. That won't happen under Lavin. Also open in the corner most of the game but the ball rarely came his way.

JaKarr Sampson was like a man possessed when he got the ball and nobody was going to stop him. Four monster dunks that momentarily silenced the gym.

Sir'Dominic Pointer had 9 points in the first quarter and then sat most of the time until the second half. When the game looked in jeopardy he asked the coach if he could defend the guard who was causing the problem and promptly intercepted a pass intended for him and got fouled. Pointer never missed from the field and made his one attempt at a three but he was less than 50% from the line (6/13). He imposed his will at both ends of the court when he chose to.

The versatility, athleticism and physicality of our guys boggles the mind. BE material all right.

In my opinion Myles Mack (Rutgers) was the smoothest and most effective guard out there yesterday. His court vision and instincts point him towards the most vulnerable paths to the basket and he glides in unchallenged while everyone else fights their way through the gauntlet. 26 points. He'll be tough to guard.

Jeff Short (Fordham) couldn't miss from the field but could only cash in on 2/3 foul shots when the game was on the line. He has an excellent eye. 24 points.

A few quick thoughts on Sunday at IS8 before I rush to work:

Amir Garrett is bigger and stronger than I expected and was the lead man on almost every break but nobody was looking for him. That won't happen under Lavin. Also open in the corner most of the game but the ball rarely came his way.

JaKarr Sampson was like a man possessed when he got the ball and nobody was going to stop him. Four monster dunks that momentarily silenced the gym.

Sir'Dominic Pointer had 9 points in the first quarter and then sat most of the time until the second half. When the game looked in jeopardy he asked the coach if he could defend the guard who was causing the problem and promptly intercepted a pass intended for him and got fouled. Pointer never missed from the field and made his one attempt at a three but he was less than 50% from the line (6/13). He imposed his will at both ends of the court when he chose to.

The versatility, athleticism and physicality of our guys boggles the mind. BE material all right.

In my opinion Myles Mack (Rutgers) was the smoothest and most effective guard out there yesterday. His court vision and instincts point him towards the most vulnerable paths to the basket and he glides in unchallenged while everyone else fights their way through the gauntlet. 26 points. He'll be tough to guard.

Jeff Short (Fordham) couldn't miss from the field but could only cash in on 2/3 foul shots when the game was on the line. He has an excellent eye. 24 points.

Thanks for the recap, qc.

A few quick thoughts on Sunday at IS8 before I rush to work:

Amir Garrett is bigger and stronger than I expected and was the lead man on almost every break but nobody was looking for him. That won't happen under Lavin. Also open in the corner most of the game but the ball rarely came his way.

JaKarr Sampson was like a man possessed when he got the ball and nobody was going to stop him. Four monster dunks that momentarily silenced the gym.

Sir'Dominic Pointer had 9 points in the first quarter and then sat most of the time until the second half. When the game looked in jeopardy he asked the coach if he could defend the guard who was causing the problem and promptly intercepted a pass intended for him and got fouled. Pointer never missed from the field and made his one attempt at a three but he was less than 50% from the line (6/13). He imposed his will at both ends of the court when he chose to.

The versatility, athleticism and physicality of our guys boggles the mind. BE material all right.

In my opinion Myles Mack (Rutgers) was the smoothest and most effective guard out there yesterday. His court vision and instincts point him towards the most vulnerable paths to the basket and he glides in unchallenged while everyone else fights their way through the gauntlet. 26 points. He'll be tough to guard.

Jeff Short (Fordham) couldn't miss from the field but could only cash in on 2/3 foul shots when the game was on the line. He has an excellent eye. 24 points.

Those "quick thoughts" have me salivating. Wow. Can't wait to see this talent on the court

I was there with qcredman yesterday and echo his sentiments, here are a few other thoughts on the guys...

Garrett - my first impression was that he was much bigger than I expected. Saw him play on TV a few times but he looked to be a legit 6'6 to me. he rolls out of bed and his head is at the rim. he was pretty quiet on the offensive end (a few wide open tomahawk dunks excluded) but remember this was his 3rd game in 24 hours. also noteworthy was that because of the size of his team he was forced to play the 4 and 5 the whole game. he was guarding a guy 100 pounds bigger than him in the post which took away one of the strengths I saw at Findlay which is his perimeter defense.  still, he got his hands in the passing lanes with deflections. looked a little stagnant on offense but his teammates rarely looked his way, there were a couple guards on his team that would just dribble the air out of the ball. he can really take it to the rim but is also very unselfish, made a few nice passes which should have been assists if his teammates finished. watching him in the game and warmups looks like he could do a lot of good shooting 500 jumpers a day but he will be a weapon on the break and with his defense from day 1.

Sampson - WOW he is a gazelle out there. incredibly long and he was the first guy down the court on both ends on every possession all game long. when he got the ball within 10 feet of the basket it was either a highlight dunk or he got fouled (had a very nice stroke I believe he was 4-4 from the line). he also showed a nice ability to handle the ball on the perimeter shaking his man once and smooothly knocking down an 18 foot jumper to start the game. I know Tom K credited him with one block but he changed about 6 others. he's a 6'9 jumping jack and showed much better ball handling than i expected. obviously he needs to get in the weight room and it cost him a few rebounds but i can see him beind used much like brownlee was last year, get the rebound and off we go.

Pointer - 23 pts 5 rebounds and I had him with 3 blocks and 3 steals (and he only played about half the game). 8/8 from the field including two 18 footers to start the game so they werent all layups/dunks. he's another incredible athlete who can impose his will on both ends of the court. needs to tighten up his handle a bit but he gets where he needs to go with his strength. his team was up comfortabley for most of the game but as qcredman noted when it got tight, he asked his coach to guard the guy (name escapes me) who was going off. next play he steals the inbounds pass from him brings it all the way and gets fouled. next possession, he picks his pocket. he truly took over the game down the stretch.

all in all i think sampson impressed me the most but pointer was not far behind. i walked out of the gym with a smile thinking we have these 3 athletes coming in next year. the fast break is going to be fun to watch next year and can't wait to hear how pelle and harrison (if he plays) look next week

Thanks for the recap queensfinest !

thanks to everyone who took the time to watch our guys and share what they saw with us

Sampson is 6'9"?
I thought I read he was 6'7-6'8" at best
Wish I was there.

I dont want to blow off this summer- but cant wait till November!
Anyone know how many players will be on campus this summer ?