Evaluation of Kentucky recruit Ashton Hagans

Class of 2019 Ashton Hagans(who is probably going to reclassify to 2018) from Covington,GA is a 6'4" point guard who is the reigning Georgia Player Of The Year. I watched him play online with his Game Elite Gold team on the Adidas Gauntlet Series. I watched his game last night and his first game today. Here's my evaluation: Great passer but turnover prone, can get into the lane anytime he wants either with or without a pick, three point shot is solid though he does not shoot a lot of them. He is strong in attacking the basket and plays intense defense. He can hit his free throws and will dunk on you. He caught a body today and almost caught another one with a loud miss of a dunk. My opinion I love that he is coming to Kentucky, he is very intense without overdoing it, also does not complain to the officials even when he thinks he was hosed on a call. He just sometimes has to let the game come to him and needs to work a bit on his mid range shooting. He also has that clutch gene showed it today with two big three point makes with one being a four point play. He is fun to watch though sometimes he's out of control with some of the passes he makes. He'll unnerve some Kentucky fans with the risky passes he tries but for the most part he gets it there and the player converts it to a basket. Here's some highlights of Hagans in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DXKKv5OCdU. God Bless and Peace to the Creatures. Hope to see Ashton Hagans in a Kentucky uniform next season.

Colin Kaepernick is the Greatest Patriot In My Lifetime.

I was in the United States Army for 8 years. I fought in the Gulf War(Operation Provide Comfort One). I received an honorable discharge from the Military. I say this because of Colin Kaepernick's protest. Most racist white folks(and some Black folks), have tried to change the narrative of his protest in a huge whisper campaign. They tried to say he was disrespecting the military and the flag. How can you disrespect a thing, a piece of cloth? Yes I swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign AND domestic. I pledged to defend the Flag. My service(and all other Veterans) should not be defined by a piece of cloth. We have and are fighting for freedom of Americans( and for oil interests that's another conversation). Colin Kaepernick's protest embodies what I joined the Military and fought for his right to do. I was 1 year old when Muhammad Ali made his stand against Vietnam so I don't remember it. I am sure I would be on his side with that issue. Colin Kaepernick said from the beginning his protest was about police brutality and racism against Black's in America. White folks in general do not want to talk about race. They want to sweep it under the rug but use it in every walk of life in America. Colin Kaepernick has opened up an issue white folks do not want to talk about or acknowledge. He has lost his livelihood( he knew it could happen so he was not blind), and has shown his courage ever since this happened. He is putting his money where his mouth is, he's giving to charities to help minorities and doing speaking engagements to help others in need. The biggest example I can give for my support of Kaepernick is this: I fought for those idiot alt right people in Charlottesville to march with a permit. Do I like what they are doing? Of course not but I served for them just the same. We as Americans cannot have it both ways in what US Soldiers fought for. Americans need to be better in every way and support guys like Colin Kaepernick. White people in general need to support Kaepernick because he's trying to make it better for everyone, not just Black folks, but EVERYONE. Police stop shooting unarmed black men and killing them makes America a better place to live for everyone. I say try thinking beyond yourselves and help all people. I'm challenging white folks(and some blacks), along with other races to fight for rights of ALL people not just folks that look like you. Also stop being brainwashed by a piece of cloth that has no feelings whatsoever. For you so called Christian white folks this is worshipping an idol which God frowns upon. It is not country first then God, it's the other way around. Colin Kaepernick has shown courage, strength, and a willingness to make this country better. I challenge all people that claim to not like Colin Kaepernick to do what he has done, try to make things better for everyone. He has used his sports platform to bring about change for the better. He is not perfect, I would tell him if I met him he needs to vote even if it's a write in vote. He explained the Pig Socks and the Castro shirt very well. Last thing: white folks(along with blacks) need to demand that he gets back into the NFL to play Quarterback. Money talks and protesting him being blackballed(which it is obvious by now he is), the NFL Owners would bend and sign him to an NFL contract. This is a test to see if America is indeed, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

Super Tuesday!!!!!! Supersectionals in Class 3A and 4A

Super Tuesday in Illinois!!!!! Supersectional Time!!!!! This is the round in Illinois that is the big game in the playoffs if you make it this far. 32 minutes(or more) from State Finals, 32 minutes(or more) from "Going Downstate" as we call it here.  Downstate is Peoria the State Semifinals. Most exciting day of the basketball year(Sectional Finals a close 2nd to me) in Illinois. Games are now in college gyms from here on in which could make a difference on who wins the games. My breakdown of some of the games will be Class 4A starting with: CHICAGO STATE- Evanston Township vs Whitney Young: Both teams have won all their playoff games by double digits. Both team have been on a tear the last two weeks. Evanston has All-Area Nojel Eastern, Chris Hamil, Elijah Williams, and Whitney Young transfer Malcolm Townsel all seniors. They also have who I call the triple sophomore monsters in Lance Jones, Jaheim Holden,and Ryan Bost all small, quick, and active guards especially on defense. Whitney Young has Lucas Williamson a senior, Xavier Castaneda, Seton Academy transfer Javon Freeman and Justin Boyd juniors. Jake Kosowalski is a three point shooter coming off the bench. Eastern is a do it all player who can play outside or inside for Evanston. Eastern and Williams will have to rule the inside for Evanston to win. Chris Hamil has been lights out from three point range the last three weeks. Townsel will have to stay within himself and not try to do too much against his former teammates. The sophomores will have to put pressure on Castaneda and keep him from dribble penetration. Evanston will also have to keep Freeman from slashing to the basket and finishing. Whitney Young has an advantage of having played at Chicago State this year in the CPS Semifinals. It is also a disadvantage because they could not hit the broad side of a barn that day, and Simeon pounded them on the glass. Evanston will have to do the same and I predict will do the same. Evanston by 7. SEARS CENTRE- Fremd(Palatine) vs Jacobs(Algonquin): These teams are a combined 60-1 this season with Fremd being undefeated. Fremd does not have a lot of size but plays very well as a unit. Kyle Sliwa hit another buzzer beater to beat Conant in the Sectional Final. I think Loyola(IL) signee Cam Krutwig will be the big difference inside to turn this game to Jacobs. Fremd loses it's first game of the year. Jacobs by 8. NORTHERN ILLINOIS-Bolingbrook vs North(Naperville): Bolingbrook has lost only one game this year and that was without big man Malik Binns. Nebraska signee Nana Akenten is their star but they go 10 deep and keep up a brisk pace on the court. Naperville North has the size inside with Mitch Lewis(6'6"), Chris Johnson(6'7"). I think Bolingbrook is too deep for North and will win this game by double digits. Bolingbrook by 12. ILLINOIS STATE- Simeon vs Edwardsville: Some say this is for the defacto State Title. I disagree I think Evanston,Whitney Young, and Bolingbrook are close to their equals. For Simeon UTEP signee Evan Gillard and junior Kezo Brown will be key on the perimeter. Talen Horton-Tucker is a 6'5" big body versatile player who will be a hard matchup for Edwardsville. Iowa football commit AJ Epenesa(6'6") averages a double/double and Mr Basketball favorite Mark Smith(6'4") point guard can do it all, run a team, shoot the three, and invert him to post up in the low post. He also has shooters on the wing Oliver Stephen and junior Jack Marinko. This team plays very well together better than the sum of it's parts. Kezo Brown will be assigned to try and slow Mark Smith down. He'll make it hard for Smith but the Chicago representative has had a hard time over the years advancing out of this Supersectional. Very close game but I have Edwardsville winning....just barely and continuing the problems the city champ has winning a state title per my article written a couple of weeks ago. http://www.clutchsportsofficial.com/is-chicago-public-league-champ-jinxed-in-state-playoffs/  EDWARDSVILLE by 2. THERE YOU HAVE IT: MY PREDICTIONS FOR TONIGHT'S GAMES. HAVE FUN I PLAN ON HAVING FUN MYSELF. GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!

Class 4A Waukegan Sectional Final!!!!!!

Evanston vs Waukegan. Sectional Final. The Dog Pound. That's all that really needs to be said but I'll say more. These long time Central Suburban South rivals used to play twice a year when Waukegan was in the conference. Waukegan was in their 1st season in the North Suburban Conference this season. It was a much needed move by them for money purposes. I do miss the one time a year I used to drive up there for this game. It was always a great atmosphere no matter the records of either team. Most prefer Evanston/New Trier which is intense. I always thought this one was better though a lot in Evanston might disagree with me. The only two teams in the Division that were predominately African American dominated on both rosters. Evanston ruled this rivalry for many years. Folks said Waukegan didn't beat Evanston for like 25 years straight. Then Jereme Richmond(Evanston kid) showed up at Waukegan his sophomore year. Waukegan dominated this rivalry while he was there winning every time. When Richmond left Evanston went back to dominating the series. Waukegan leaves the conference, becomes a six seed in this years playoffs and makes a great run to the Sectional Final. I am one of the few that saw this game coming as I predicted Waukegan to be here when the playoffs started. To the game now: The stars for Evanston Seniors Nojel Eastern(All-Area, Purdue signee) is a jack of all trades player and can play all over the court. Chris Hamil is a knockdown three point shooter, Whitney Young transfer Malcolm Townsel has been a revelation late in the year. Waukegan has star seniors Carson Newsome(Wisconsin Milwaukee) signee and DeShawn Davidson who is a double figure scorer and great ball handler. I think though this game will come down to the sophomores: Lance Jones, Jaheim Holden, and Ryan Bost for Evanston, Ja'Dyn Brown, Bryant Brown and Jordan Brown for Waukegan. Evanston's sophomores provide timely offense, great defense and pressure on the ball and that something extra that most other teams do not have. The Brown's for Waukegan do a little bit of everything also offense, rebounding(Ja'Dyn Brown), blocked shots(Bryant Brown). I have thought of this and to me how these youngsters play will decide the outcome. I believe the defense of Evanston's sophomores will put their stamp on the game and turn it Evanston's way. I did not forget Elijah Williams who's rebounding could blow the game wide open. I predict a double digit win for Evanston and the Wildkits advance to the Chicago State Supersectional. See everyone tomorrow night at the Dog Pound. God Bless and Peace to the creatures.

Class 2A Sectional Guerin Sectional

This sectional final will be a great matchup. This should be the defacto State Title game in Class 2A. I know the winner will have to win 3 more games for the title, but I don't see another team beating either one of these squads. A couple of things: 1) Will freshman sensation Eliot Sieger be able to handle Orr's pressure defense in his first Sectional Final. 2) How will Dannie Smith of Orr affect the game with his versatility? 3) Can DePaul Prep keep Orr off the boards? The key players for both teams: ORR- Class of 2018 Dannie Smith(6'6"), Class of 2018 Raekwon Drake(6'5"), Class of 2017 Alex Flute(6'0"). As I mentioned Dannie Smith and his versatility has transformed this Orr team. The Lincoln Park transfer has brought a steadiness to Orr's backcourt play. He also hits the glass very hard and very well. Drake is relentless on the glass and has an improved 15 foot jumper. He also clogs the lane on defense with blocked shots. Flute is the three point shooting extraordinaire for this team. If he's open you might as well count it. Class of 2018 Brian Hernandez is key off the thin Orr bench with his three point shooting. He has to be careful with turnovers though. DEPAUL PREP-Class of 2019 Perry Cowan(6'4"), Class of 2019 Pavie Pantovic(6'6"), Class of 2020 Eliot Sieger(6'0"). Cowan is a great slasher to the basket that puts pressure on the defense, good mid range shooter, and developing three point shot. He will be key on the defensive glass for DePaul Prep tonight. Pantovic will have to keep Drake off the offensive glass tonight for DePaul Prep to have a chance to win. Sieger has been a great scorer and distributor as a freshman for DePaul Prep. He will have to handle Orr's relentless full court pressure tonight for his team to have a chance. He scores 18 a game on three pointers, drives to the basket. He's also good at drawing fouls and hitting his free throws. It is imperative that he stays out of foul trouble tonight. Also to keep a cool head as he fouled out in Catholic League Quarterfinal against St Joseph because of an unsportsmanlike technical foul. Once he fouled out DePaul Prep could not get the ball past half court vs St Joseph. This gets me to: BENCH PLAY- Neither team has a bench to speak of, Orr has the aforementioned Brian Hernandez but that's really it for both teams. This could derail State title hopes for whichever team wins this game and moves on. CONCLUSION: Both teams are young, Orr is junior laden and DePaul Prep is sophomore and freshman driven. Orr has a little more experience as they won Sectional last year with sophomore laden team. Key for tonight for Orr Drake has to stay out of foul trouble as they have no one else that plays on the interior like he does. Sieger has to stay on the floor for DePaul Prep as they can't get the ball over half court without him on the floor. As it is I predict Orr moves on, wins their Supersectional this year, gets Downstate(Peoria) and wins the Class 2A State Title. God Bless everyone and Peace to the Creatures.

Chicago Elite Classic takeaways

I was at the event for two days and this is what I saw:  DAY 1 1)Fenwick/Oak Park River Forest rivalry was off the chains the Battle of Oak Park. These student sections were wild and had chants back and forth at each other. Greatest example was OPRF fans chanting to Fenwick's fans "Please don't sue us" repeatedly. This is in reference to the controversial finish in the Class 7A football semifinal between Fenwick and Plainfield North which can be read here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-fenwick-football-lawsuit-met-20161122-story.html Fenwick by the way won the basketball game in overtime with three Nixon brothers in the starting lineup. 2) Loyola(Willmette)/Notre Dame(Niles) Game was a knock down drag out slug fest won in overtimeby Notre Dame with Malik Jenkins making the winning layup in overtime. 3) Curie(Chicago) beat up on East St Louis with the Martin twins outplaying Illinois signee Jeremiah Tillmon. A big issue is the East St Louis guards do not know how to feed the post. Tillmon had 12 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out. His 4th foul was not a smart one, hanging on the rim.  DAY 2 1) My day started with watching the second half of Uplift vs Chaminade(St Louis). This game was about bigger skilled players beating smaller skilled players. Chaminade had 3 kids 6'5" and over hitting three pointers at a high rate while Uplift had no one over 6'3". The Jacobs brothers both showed well. 2) Sunrise Christian(Kansas) has Malek Hall Class of 2019 player on the team who played his freshman year at Metea Valley in Aurora and Michael Johnson Class of 2017. Both played well in a win for Sunrise Christian. Gray Collegiate Academy(South Carolina) had a top Class of 2019 player nationally Juwan Gray(6'6") who is strong and can score on all three levels. One to watch out for. 3) Yale commit Jameel Alausa of UHigh(Chicago) had a double/double and looks like he'll be All-Ivy League in his college career. He plays hard and has skills in the paint and enough ball handling to be able to slash to the basket. They surprised Hyde Park(Chicago) who has a good point guard in Class of 2018 Andrew Anderson. Also be on the look out for Alausa's younger brother Mohammed Alausa Class of 2019. 4) Joliet West is for real and a contender for the Class 4A crown. They were very impressive in a win over North Lawndale(Chicago). Drake signee Teyvion Kirk was the best player in the game. He missed only one shot in doing everything for Joliet West. Wisconsin-Green Bay signee Trevian Bell was equally impressive in complementing Kirk. I was just as impressed with Tabyous Casrerberry who was an absolute monster on the glass and running the floor. Carlos Hines of North Lawndale continues to prove he is a true sleeper. Why doesn't he have more scholarship offers this 4.0 student? 5) Evanston got hammered by Montverde Academy(Florida) as expected. Montverde recruits players from all over the world so considering that I thought Evanston accounted itself pretty well. Nojel Eastern had a solid game 17 points and 7 rebounds, the three headed sophomore guard line of Jaheim Holden, Lance Jones, and Ryan Bost did not look ready for prime time. This was a game they needed though as I would bet they will be ready for the next prime time game; which Evanston will have plenty of Showcase games this winter. 6) Simeon(Chicago) looked impressive beating USA Today's #5 team Gonzaga of Washington DC. UTEP signee Evan Gillard, Class of 2018 Talen Horton-Tucker(26 and 14), and Class of 2018 Kezo Brown all had big games for Simeon.  7) Whitney Young(Chicago) and Kenwood(Chicago) game was entertaining with Kenwood coming out on top. Kenwood Class of 2017 Octavius Parker and  Young Class of 2018 Justin Boyd had a can you top this moment in the first half. Both were raining three pointers all over the place back and forth at each other. Parker ended the first half with a 33 foot there pointer at the buzzer. Young's  Lucas Williamson joined the proceedings with a great game as did Kenwood's Manny Patterson. I heard a lot of talk about how they matched up the teams for this. Some folks suggested that Simeon and Whitney Young should have played Chaminade and Montverde Academy. I asked those folks who's hosting this event? Enough said.

RJ Barrett At Chicago Elite Classic.

The Chicago Elite Classic is in it's 5th year of existence. It has had a lot of great players play in the event, from Jabari Parker,Jahlil Okafor,Tyler Ulis,Stanley Johnson who are all current NBA players. The latest to play in it this past weekend is Class of 2019 wing RJ Barrett(6'7" #1 ESPN, #2 24/7 Sports) of Montverde Academy(FL). In my opinion barring injury he is a future NBA player. He was MVP in the game he played vs Evanston(IL) with 23 points. I spoke to him after the game and this is what he had to say: Q: Hi, RJ I'm Tim Coleman Sr of A Sea Of Blue(Kentucky Publication) how are you doing? RJ: I'm doing great. Q: What schools are on your short list? RJ: I'm only a sophomore in high school my Dad(Rowan Barrett) is handling all of my recruiting right now. Q: Ok, how do you think you played today? RJ: I think I played well except I could have gathered more rebounds. Q: Has Kentucky shown any interest in you? RJ: Yes I have talked to John Calipari so yes they have shown some interest in me. Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a basketball player? RJ: My strength is taking it to the rim but I'm working on everything right now. Q: Ok thanks for taking the time to do this interview( I shake his hand) RJ: No problem thank you. My assessment of RJ Barrett as a player is he showed he can score on all three levels, has great vision passing the ball and a great lefty stroke. This game it looked like he could score with ease and has a lot of growth and potential in his game. Kentucky will be in his recruitment until the end. I as a Kentucky fan will look forward to watching him the next three years of his high school career.