Local Boy Makes Good

Elijah Ingram finished as the highest-rated New Jersey player in both points (16.5) and assists (3.5) averages. The point guard and junior-to-be at St. Anthony High (Jersey City, N.J.) also earned a spot in the underclass All-Star Game, which was played last night. Pascack Valley High (Hillsdale, N.J.) shooting guard and senior-to-be John Blackgrove was the host state's highest-rated player through the first three days of camp, but slipped into fourth place after missing all seven of his shots as his Knicks squad defeated the Pacers, 49-47, in the championship game.
Meanwhile, 6-foot-6 forward and junior-to-be Lenny Cooke, who transferred from LaSalle Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Northern Valley High (Old Tappan, N.J.) two months ago, finished as the camp's leading scorer (17.9) and rebounder (9.9). Cooke followed up that effort with 19 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two assists to earn MVP honors in leading his team to a 125-108 win in the underclass All-Star game.

Kobe Comes Out

Kobe Bryant, fresh off his NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, sat courtside during Sunday's (July 9) action for a few minutes before departing. That morning, he engaged in a Q&A with campers, stressing the importance of hard work on the court. The shoot guard, who entered the NBA right out of Lower Merion High (Ardmore, Pa.), told the teens that he fires up 2,000 practice shots a day.

Still Buzzing

Camp observers and attendees left New Jersey still buzzing about a soaring dunk by Bishop Montgomery High (Carson, Calif.) guard and senior-to-be Errick Craven and a thunderous block by 6-foot-9 Montrose Christian Academy (Rockville, Md.) forward and senior-to-be Harvey Thomas.

By the Numbers

The gaudiest statistical performances from the second day of camp (July 8) belonged to East High (Duluth, Minn.) forward and senior-to-be Rick Rickert (27 points, seven rebounds, two blocks); Friendly High (Md.) forward and senior-to-be Cortez Davis (26 points, 12 rebounds, two assists); and St. Raymond's High (Bronx, N.Y.) guard and senior-to-be Julius Hodge (22 points, seven rebounds, two assists). Hodge also finished as the camp's second-leading scorer (16.3) and fourth-leading rebounder (7.8).

Day 1 Standouts

Southern Durham High (N.C.) forward Mario Boggan was particularly impressive on Friday (July 7), as the 6-foot-7 junior-to-be hit 85 percent of his shots from the field. Northwestern High (Flint, Mich.) senior-to-be Kelvin Torbert gave every indication he deserves the No. 4 national ranking, according to HoopScoop, among this year's senior class. Thornwood High (South Holland, Ill.) big man Eddy Curry bounced back from an ankle injury last week and showcased some nasty defense against highly regarded Ballard High (Louisville, Ky.) senior-to-be Brandon Bender. ' Other players making an instant impression included St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.) forward and senior-to-be Julius Sensley, Murrah High (Jackson, Miss.) guard and senior-to-be Maurice Williams, Clovis West High (Fresno, Calif.) forward and junior-to-be Charlie Rodriguez, Saginaw High (Mich.) guard and junior-to-be Anthony Roberson, Cardinal Newman High (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) swingman and junior-to-be Jackie Manuel, Mt. Vernon High (N.Y.) guard and senior-to-be Ben Gordon, Vincent High (Milwaukee, Wisc.) swingman and senior-to-be Quemont Greer, W.D. Mohammad High (Atlanta, Ga.) forward and senior-to-be Sani Ibrahim and Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) guard and senior-to-be Tony Bethel.