2024 Hoops Showdown Top Performers
By David Cordova,
On Saturday afternoon, May 11, we were at the Bronx River Community Center for the annual Hoops Showdown event in which some of the city’s finest players came to play in three games. They were competitively played. When it was all said and done, it was Team Rundown who emerged victorious and won this year’s event. Here are some of the standouts from the event:
Darnell Childs 5-11, Point Guard, High School for Construction, Debo All-Stars, Class of 2024 - A guard that is shifty and is a solid playmaker. Has a quick first step and is always ready to drive to the basket. While driving to the hole, he is able to absorb contact and is a solid finisher. Is a good distributor to an open teammate are anyone trying to get to the hole.
Don Colon-Lewis 6-6, Forward, Moravian Prep School (NC), Debo All-Stars, Class of 2024 - A forward that has the ability to make his presence felt with his ability to put the ball on the floor and outwork the opposition. Is able to muscle his way to the basket and can obtain rebounds at a fast rate. Has a penchant for shooting from outside the arc, especially when open.
Victor Lyle 6-2, Shooting Guard, Albert Tuitt Educational Campus, Debo All-Stars, Class of 2024 -A guard that has a penchant for showcasing his quickness on the open floor during the fast break. Has plenty of discipline when it comes to taking shots from long range. Is able to break down his opponent off the dribble and drive to the basket to score, where he finishes efficiently.
Adam Njie Jr. 6-2, Point Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2024 (Iona University commit) -A guard that has the ability to create for himself and is able to take over the game with his penchant for playmaking and scoring. Is able to slice and dice past defenders and finish at the basket. When the opportunity presents itself, he is able to distribute the ball to his teammates and make sure that they pass the ball.
Karifala Conde 6-3, Shooting Guard, James Monroe Educational Campus, Road To Riches, Class of 2025 - A guard that has a penchant to use his strength on both ends of the court. Has the ability to play bully ball and muscle his way to the basket when going up to score. Has a penchant for outworking the opposition to obtain rebounds and speeds down court for a basket.
Solomon Ominu 6-7, Forward, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2024 (Pacific University commit) - A forward that is a dominant presence on the floor and is able to run down the floor well and attack the glass when it goes to rebounds. Has the ability to throw down thunderous dunks and is able to use his physicality when in the paint area. Has great hands, which aid him on the defensive end.
Tai Turnage 6-0, Point Guard, St. Raymond High School, Rundown, Class of 2025 - A guard that has a penchant for using his speed to his advantage on the court. Is great at setting up teammates for baskets and can drive to the basket when in transition. Has the ability to absorb contact and get to the free-throw line.
Kamari Whyte 6-4, Shooting Guard, St. Raymond High School, Rundown, Class of 2026 - A guard that is known for scoring in bunches and is able to have a huge impact when he’s on the floor. Is a player with a quick first step and great movement that enables him to get to the basket with ease. Has a nice shooting touch from three-point range.
Braylan Ritvo 6-7, Forward, Archbishop Stepinac High School, Rundown, Class of 2024 (Quinnipiac University commit)- A forward with a long wingspan that has plenty of versatility in his game. Is able to put the ball on the floor and has plenty of explosion in his game, as he is able to power up for dunks. Is always alert for rebounds, as he is great at boxing out the opposition when the ball goes up.
Jacob Moreno 6-3, Shooting Guard, Holy Cross High School, GTA, Class of 2024 (Dominican College commit)- A guard that has plenty of size and length and is able to have court awareness regarding everything that’s going on when play is going on. Is able to drive to the basket with ease and is a great finisher when going to the rim. Has the ability to shoot from the perimeter and from long range.
Vere Anthony 6-0, Point Guard, St. Francis Preparatory High School, GTA, Class of 2025 - A guard that is known for getting everybody involved when he’s on the court. Is able to be a consistent playmaker, as he is always hitting the open man and loves to run on the fast break. Has a penchant for slowing down the tempo of the game whenever he’s on the floor.