Young Talent Showcased at Camp Next
by Ray Floriani
TEANECK, N.J. – Travon Woodall decided to take in Camp Next as a spectator. A year ago the St. Anthony’s junior was one of the marquee players at this event for eighth, ninth and tenth graders. This season Woodall was content to watch. The Paterson, N.J. native had accepted an invite to the ABCD camp and was on hand at Fairleigh Dickinson’s Rothman Center to support his three St. Anthony’s teammates among those at Camp Next.
The camp was held the weekend of June 24-25 and showcased approximately 130 players. A good percentage were from the east coast but there were a fair number hailing from west of the Mississippi.
One of the noted performers was Michael Rosario. A junior guard at St. Anthony’s, Rosario played respectably last year at Camp Next. During this two-day event, Rosario stepped up and was quite assertive. In many systems players are expected to pass first and shoot second. Under Bob Hurley, St. Anthony’s players are required to defend first, then pass and shoot. In this setting the 6-3 Roasario had more offensive freedom. He did defend respectably and share the ball while showing the ability to hit from the perimeter while using his size and quick first step to get in the lane.
If anything, Camp Next was efficient. On both Saturday and Sunday, there were two sets of doubleheaders. Each team would play twice daily. Three of the four FDU courts were used in the opening set of games while two courts were used in the second. Players not on the floor could be found going through the paces on an available open court. These sessions weren’t simply shootarounds. Rather, they were fundamental instructions and running through of offensive and defensive sets. Coaches of teams not playing and others as Greg Vetrone put the players through the paces. On Sunday evening there were no games. Players were back at Rothman for one more round of practices and instruction.
Among the visitors at the Sunday morning session was John Carroll. A former assistant to PJ Carlesimo at Seton Hall, Carroll later coached at Duquesne and later in the NBA. He spent time watching the games while chatting with Reebok’s Sonny Vaccaro.
It’s easy to forget that these are high school underclassmen. “I had to stop and think,” said official Wayne Davis. “These are high school kids. Doing these games is like Junior College. These games are a small notch below ABCD.”
Davis speaks from experience, having worked ABCD last summer as part of a Big East tryout. On the officiating trail, your writer worked two games each day. What my fellow official said was true. The talent, size and athleticism of the players was outstanding. The pace of the games was blazing. But it was not all run and shoot without a purpose. Sure, there were the three-on-two transition breaks that often were punctuated with flamboyant dunks. If the break wasn’t there, offenses were executed. Several passes would be made, screens set and two man pick and rolls were frequent. It was not just end to end. Teams, guided by coaches, made a solid attempt and emphasis on execution in a halfcourt setting.
Throughout the two-day event Chris Rivers was virtually everywhere. Chris is involved as an executive with Reebok’s Grassroots program. It was not uncommon to have him stop by every court to make sure things were going smoothly on the scorers table and the game was moving along well. Chris also double checked and confirmed officiating assignments. Simply, he was everywhere and had a major part in the event running so smoothly.
Gary Charles was at the main table alerting all that games were to commence. On Saturday there were four fifteen-minute running time quarters. A full set of substitutions was made every five minutes. On Sunday the time was cut to 12 minutes per period with subs at the four minute junctures. Between games there was a break of about 3-5 minutes, which was especially tough on officials trying to catch a breather and down some Gatorade.
Besides Rosario, St. Anthony’s was represented by junior guards Tyshawn Taylor and Jiovanny Fontan. Taylor came off the bench this season, so Next was a good experience as he gets more minutes this Winter. Fontan is a small (5-10) guard with good quickness. He can thrive in transition or half court settings as well.
Richard Howell a sophomore out of Lawrenceville, Georgia was an intriguing prospect. The 6-7 Howell had the ability to play low or high post. In the latter he could hit the jumper or take his man to the basket with favorable results.
Mike Shanahan, a junior out of North Huntington, Pennsylvania played tough inside and bigger than his listed 6-5 height.
Henry Sims, a 6-10 junior out of Columbia, Maryland also played very well in the low post.
The fact that big men were noticed prominently and gained attention proved Camp Next was not simply for the guards. Teams made a concerted effort to share the basketball and everyone benefited.
