Breaking Down Crossroads

This past Saturday the 1012 Crossroads of the South Exposure Camp was held in Ridgeland Mississippi. There was a good turnout, with a number of interesting prospects in attendance. Let's take a look at the top performers:

Josh Williams 6-4 2013 WF Jackson Prep H.S.

Williams who plays in the private school ranks took this opportunity to display his abilities against some of the best of the Mississippi public school ranks and he did not disappoint. Williams is a well-built wing who is a terror in the open court and attacking the rim, and he seems to be in attack mode at all times. He possesses a nice midrange jumper and is a solid ball handler. He also showed a willingness to defend other top players and the ability to be a high level defender.

[db]Xavier Stapleton[/db] 6-4 2014 WG Madison Central H.S.

A long athletic wing, Stapleton showed the ability to score the ball in a number of ways. A nice jump shooter he showed the ability to stick an occasional three pointer, but he also showed the ability to finish around the hoop both on cuts and drives. He has high major athleticism which allows him to rise over potential defenders to get off his shots and to grab a few offensive boards also.

[db]Joniah Whit[/db]e 6-11 2014 C Madison Central H.S.

Malik Hines 6-8 2014 Jackson Murrah H.S.

Oliver Black 6-8 2014 Jackson Wingfield H.S.

This junior trio all had solid showings on the day. Has with many camp settings getting the ball to the post is not a priority but all three of the big men found ways to be effective. All three are good rebounders on the defensive end of the floor and are solid man defenders, but White has the added dimension of being an elite shot blocker. On offense White was content to work the offensive glass for putbacks, many of which were dunks. Hines and Black also did a good job off the offensive boards and they both showed the ability to run the floor getting a number of buckets in transition. All three showed the ability to hit an open jumper with White being limited to elbow jumpers and Hines and Black both showing a little more range.

Xavion Dillion 6-7 2013 F Tylertown H.S.

A long limbed athletic face-up four man is what Dillon is. He runs the floor well and is active on the defensive and offensive boards. His long arms make him tough to shoot over. Offensively his post-up game need work and while he's known as a solid jump shooter he never quite found the range on his jumper at the camp.

Chris "C J" White 6-5 2013 F Harrison Central H.S.

White is a broad shouldered active post who can affect the game in a number of ways. He is a tough defender and rebounder who can start the break afterwards with the outlet pass or by pushing the rock up the floor himself. On offense he scores on put backs and dropoff passes and can step out and stick a midrange jumper also.

Dimitri Cook 6-1 2014 PG/WG Pass Christian H.S.

Jacob Ivory 5-10 2014 PG Jackson Murrah H.S.

The junior guards both had very productive days at the camp. Cook is an athletic combo guard who seems comfortable initiating the offense or playing off the ball, in either case his ability to get to the rim and score and score off slashes and drives is his strong point. Possessing a nice athletic build cook also is a lock down defender. Ivory is more of a true point guard, possessing good ball skills and the ability to get into the paint off the dribble to score or set up others. He also showed an improved jumper from times we've seen him in the pass. Much like Cook, Ivory is a top notch defender, able to pressure opposing ball-handlers.

Jahshire Hardnett 5-10 2015 PG Gulfport H.S.

Marcus Watson 5-11 2015 PG Northwest Rankin H.S.

This pair of sophomore guards both had outstanding days at the camp, with Watson's play being maybe the biggest surprise of the camp. Both guards are similar in that they both possesses strong builds on their short frames, are quick, possess good dribble drive ability and like to attack the rim no matter who is there waiting on them. Watson was especially impressive with his ability to finish through physical contact in the lane. Hardnett on the other hand is a little more crafty at creating space to finish his drives, also finishing through contact but not quite as much as Watson. Hardnett also got the jumper going later in the day showing the ability to mix up the drive and the jumper, thereby really making him a tough cover. Both also showed a good understanding of when to use the kickout to set up teammates once the defense closed down the drive.

Anfernee Hampton[db] 6-5 2014 WG Jackson Jim Hill H. S.

This long lanky wing showed a good scoring touch on the day. He mixes in three pointers with mid-range pull-ups to keep defender of balance. He doesn't seem to be overly athletic but he shows good quickness and solid ball-handling skill which he uses to get to his spots on the floor where his long reach allows him to get off his shot. Hampton also moves well without the ball allowing him to pick up baskets slashing to the rim and his length helps him get a few putbacks as well.

[db]Kaleb Williams 6-1 2013 PG/WG Hinds AHS

Another sleeper who had a very solid camp showing. Williams is a solid combo guard who is primarily a point who shoots it well enough to slide over and play off the ball. Not a flashy player, Williams showed good ball handling skills and a displayed a very good understanding of the game, showing he knows how to run a team and set up others while still looking for his offense. Williams shoots the ball well with range out to the three point line and showed the ability to get to the rim using crafty dribble drive moves.

Tylor Smith 6-5 2014 F Germantown H.S.

The junior forward who plays for the fledgling second year program in Madison County was the true surprise of the camp. A nicely built forward, Smith defended, rebounded and scored the ball in the paint. He displayed surprising athleticism, easily rising up for dunks on finishes around the hoop. He has a high motor, can really run the floor for a big and didn't back down to any of the "name" players he faced off against.

LeRoy Buchanan 6-2 2015 WG Madison Central H.S.

Buchanan is a solidly built wing who possesses good athleticism and is a solid shooter. He can score of slashes to the hoop and runs the floor well in transition. He plays with a physical presence on the wing, being a physical defender and a solid rebounder. He's one of those players that just seems to always be around the ball and who finds a way to make a play.

Mario Kegler[db] 6-6 2016 F Jackson Callaway H.S.

One of the top freshmen in the state as well as the nation Kegler more than held his own against his older opponents. A long athletic forward Kegler scores on drives and slashes and has a nose for the offensive boards. He possesses good ball skill which helps him show a strong dribble drive game. Honestly, watching him play in the camp you would have no idea he's just a freshman with his long athletic build and his ability to make plays.

[db]Jeremy Stewart 6-5 2016 F Jackson Provine H.S.

Stewart was another "young buck" that didn't seem greatly out of place with the older guys. Possessing a nice build and long arms on his 6-5 frame, Stewart showed the ability to defend and rebound against the older guys. Offensively he limited now to but backs and finishing drop off passes but he has the tools to be a solid post presence in the future.