The 3rd annual In The Gym Hoops Showcase for high school players, presented by Prep Ball Stars, was lit again as 180+ players from 12 states came to Pacers Athletic Center in Westfield, Indiana for another top notch event.
The players were treated to training by Rob Blackwell and his staff to open the camp. Blackwell is one of the top trainers in the country and trained pro players like Gordon Hayward, Victor Oladipo, Lance Stephenson, Kareem Rush, Myles Turner, to name a few, as well as many top college and high school players. The 90-minute training session focused on fundamentals – shooting, ball handling, full court drills and defensive drills.
This year, 4 games were live streamed with broadcasters to the public, including all college coaches, and several college programs viewed the broadcast. There were several top players featured and players at all levels throughout the camp attended by college coaches at the D2, NAIA, D3 and junior college level.
“The live stream allowed the D1 coaches to watch these top players play live, which added to the experience for the players”, said Tony Leach, founder of Prep Ball Stars.
In addition to training on the fundamentals from Blackwell, each player played 3 games and several were participants in the 3-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk competitions. The 3-Point Shootout champion was sophomore Jaylen Pouncil (Kansas) and junior Tony Perkins (Lawrence North) won a very spirited Slam Dunk competition. Senior Manual Brown (Warren Central) and sophomore Khailieo Terry (IL) also had some incredible dunks. The camp was a mix of fundamentals but was also fun and a show for the players.
“The camp is fun, it’s competitive and when our campers leave, they are tired”, says Felix Rogers, founder of In The Gym Hoops. “This was our 12th camp. Several campers have blown up after attending the camp. No player is left behind. We give an opportunity for every player to get better and gain exposure at the camps and year round”.
Damon Turner, head coach for nationally ranked Team Teague 2022, believes in the Showcases for his players.
“This is a great camp”, says Turner. “Several of my players have come every year for exposure and improve, and Tony and Felix support our players and team year round with the write-ups, posts and video”.
The next high school camp will in the Fall of 2019. Up next is a middle school camp in February. Here are the MVPs per grade level at the Showcase.
9th Grade: Calvin Thomas (Kansas Wing))
10th Grade: Sean Black (Warren Central Point Guard)
11th Grade: Tyran Rodgers (Lawrence North wing)
12th Grade: Cobie Barnes (Floyd Central wing)
