Tony Parker leads Miller Grove

Myrtle Beach, SC – Another great event and turnout for the 30th anniversary of the Beach Ball Classic, as some of the nation’s top young talent took center stage and didn’t disappoint.
Big Shots Alum Tony Parker (6’9 C 2012 Rat. 96 – Miller Grove HS/Lithonia, GA) stood taller than all in leading Miller Grover to the Beach Ball Classic title. Parker asserted himself as one of the more dominant post players in the 2012 class, controlling the paint and the glass with Kevin Love-isk numbers. He poured in a 20 pt., 27 reb. (17OR) performance in the semi-finals vs. Douglass (OK) and followed it up with a 23 pt., 20 reb game in the title game vs. Boys & Girls (NY). Tony has improved his offense skill set stretching his game out to 15′ and showing his polished touch on hooks and fades over each shoulder in the post. Although his bread and butter still is his power game, using his wide, broad shoulder frame to create space and power up with two. He had improved his lift and was impressive and well deserve of MVP honors of Beach Ball Classic. Look forward to seeing him in Big Shots 2011 with Norm Parker’s GA Stars.

 

Julius Randle (6’9 SF 2013 Rat. 99 – Prestonwood Christian Acad./ Plano, TX) was the Most Outstanding Player of the event and the super soph lives up to all of the hype and more. He draws comparisons to Lamar Odom with his build, skill set, ability to score and a man amongst boys. The versatile lefty is as good as anyone in the country right now scoring on back to basket post ups whether at the high post, short corner, or block. He uses pump fakes, up and unders or just out muscles to score. He leads the break and is fundamental with his footwork in the post and from 15′. He has the change of gear and special combination of skill, build, swagger and leadership that the great ones have. Randle brings it every game and didn’t disappoint the crowd averaging 27.5 ppg 13 rpg throughout the event (31-20 reb. game vs. Douglass in the 3rd place game).

Stephen Clark (5’10 G 2013 Rat. 96 – Douglass HS/Oklahoma City, OK) doesn’t shock with his size but his he will pull as soon as he steps in the door. He shoots the lights out and will dart it from the logos. He put on one of the better shooting performances of 2010 going 8-12 from 3 after starting out 8-9. Clark tried to break the event record of 9 for nearly 8 mins. but came up short. Clark is a top 20 player in the 2013 class and is a joy to watch with his shooting exhibition. He averaged 22 ppg., scoring 25+ and hitting 21 3’s in 4 games.

Big Shots Alum and UVA signee Malcolm Brogdan (6’5 SG 2011 Rat. 93 – Greater Atlanta Christian / Atlanta, GA) showed why he fits Coach Bennett’s system as well as any guard in the nation with his tenacity on defense and relentless attack on offense. Malcolm has got to where he is now solely through his countless hours in the gym and weight room. He brings his lunch pal to work everyday and I’m fully confident to put him in the top “hard hat” class of Michael Gilchrist as one of the hardest playing players in the country. UVA asst. coach Ritchie McKay was in attendance and feels Malcolm will be an impact player as soon as he steps foot on Charlottesville campus.

Big Shots Alum Charles Mitchell (6’7 PF 2012 Rat. 93 – Wheeler HS/Atlanta, GA) is receiving heavy oversight from ACC-SEC schools. He posted several double-double performances and has improved his endurance and post moves becoming a scoring threat each time on the block and the offensive glass.

Rutgers signee Michael Taylor blew up onto the scene in Beach Ball Classic 2008 and went out with a bang scoring 20+ in 3 games and led Boy’s & Girls (NY) to the title game.

All Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player: Tony Parker, Miller Grove
Most Outstanding Player: Julius Randle, Prestonwood Christian Academy
All-Tournament Team:
Charles Mitchell, Wheeler

Michael Taylor, Boys and Girls
Grant Jerett, La Verne Lutheran
Malcolm Brogdon, Greater Atlanta Christian
Brandon Morris, Miller Grove
Karriem Simmons, Wheeler
Dorrian Williams, Douglass
AJ Davis, Greater Atlanta Christian
Stephen Clark, Douglass