TEAM TAKEOVER - NATIONAL HS. HOOPS FESTIVAL DAY ONE - ALL-MET ELITE

TEAM TAKEOVER 

 NATIONAL HS. HOOPS FESTIVAL

 DAY ONE 

 ALL-MET ELITE

 
BY
 EVAN DANIELS
 

HYATTSVILLE, Md. -- Keith Stevens has turned the National HS Hoops Festival into a must attend event. The loaded field hit the court on Saturday in front of a sold out crowd at DeMatha Catholic. The nation's top junior -- Jayson Tatum -- showed off his tremendous skill set, while Anthony Cowan made multiple buzzer beaters and Virginia Tech signee Justin Robinson showed significant improvement.

 

Justin Robinson, PG, Saint James – Robinson seems to flourish when he plays at DeMatha Catholic. He broke out at the National High School Hoops Festival last year. This time around, Robinson played an impressive floor game, made multiple mid and long-range jumpers and showed his competitiveness on both ends of the floor. Robinson seems a tad faster with the ball and was able to break down defenders and get into the paint. He’s a good pass and has a good feel for the point guard position. Robinson finished with 31 points on 12-for-20 shooting. He also tossed out five assists. 

 

Markelle Fultz, SG, DeMatha – In the fall, Fultz, a 6-foot-4 guard, began to pick up some steam as a player. In front of a big crowd against DeMatha, Fultz raised his game. Fultz scored a team high 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Fultz is comfortable pulling up from mid-range, as four of his six field goals came from that area. Fultz was aggressive off the bounce, went to the glass and played hard on both ends. 

Joe Hampton, C/PF, Oak Hill – Hampton must have enjoyed returning home to play at his former school – DeMatha – and against one of his former rivals – Paul VI. Hampton played with some fire and was assertive when he had chances to score on offense. Hampton, a southpaw, hit a pair of jump shots, including one three-pointer. His other four field goals came off strong finishes inside or off face up drives. Hampton scored 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting in the win over Paul VI.

Anthony Cowan, PG, St. John’s College – Cowan, a 5-foot-11 lead guard, had as good of a day as anyone at the National High School Hoops Festival. Cowan hit a pair of buzzer beaters in the win over Largo. Cowan’s first was a pull-up three to force overtime. Then once in the extra frame, Cowan drove the lane and finished at the rim as the final buzzer sounded. A quick and aggressive guard, Cowan found ways into the paint, was a pest on defense and looked to push the ball when he had opportunities. Cowan scored 27 points, tossed out eight assists and recorded seven steals.