Athletes First


Remembering Carolyn Orton Athletes First mourns the loss of a family member with the passing of Carolyn Orton on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 from complications of Lupus an autoimmune disorder. Carolyn, the mother of Terrence Crawford, former Oklahoma State player and Daniel Orton, current player at Bishop McGuinness High School and loving wife of Larry Orton (Big O), will be deeply missed by all. She will forever be remembered for her love and kindness towards all the kids in the program and her willingness to give of her herself to everyone. God has called her home but her kindred spirit will live on. Athletes First Family Exposure Combine EBoss Hoops to cover event!! Thanks to hard work and his visibility on the recruiting trail, Eric Bossi has earned his reputation as one of the top independent talent evaluators in the country. The founder and director of EBoss Hoops Scouting Service a high school scouting service for Division One basketball programs, Bossi has clients across the country in conferences like the ACC, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Big 10, Big East, Horizon, Missouri Valley, Pac 10, Sun Belt, West Coast, and Mountain West among others. A member of the United States Basketball Writer's Association, Bossi has done freelance work for many of the top outlets devoted to covering high school basketball. He's served as a Senior Recruiting Analyst for highly regarded PrepStars.com and it's partner magazine the Recruiter's Handbook for seven years. Currently, Bossi provides evaluations and content for several sites on the scout.com network. He has also served as a talent evaluator for the prestigious Nike Hoop Jamboree for each of the last two summers. Athlete's First Combine Recap Dominique Raney Over the weekend, Athlete's First held their first ever exposure combine. Scout.com was on hand to check out the action and get a look at some of the young talent. When it comes to producing college and even NBA talent, Gary Vick's Athlete's First program has emerged as the top grassroots outfit in the state of Oklahoma. Continually producing top talent, the program took another step over the weekend holding an exposure combine at their new basketball facility in Oklahoma City. Around 100 campers took the floor on Saturday and Sunday looking to emerge as the next Blake Griffin, Obi Muonelo, Xavier Henry, Shelden Williams, Daniel Orton or Kelenna Azubuike. [See Article]	Darnell Jackson teaching young campers the proper shooting technique. Darnell Jackson teaching Matt Christinsen the proper block technique. 2009 Nike Combine Top Nike Scout Vince Baldwin evaluates the talent at the 2009 Nike Combine. Players play above the rim at the 2009 Nike Combine. 2009 Nike Combine Action! Daniel Orton Shatters Backboard! Daniel Orton 2009 Highlights	Junior High - High School Boys October 24 & 25, 2009 Juwan Parker Brings the ball up court during the 2009 Showcase. Josh Richardson Lays one in at the 2009 Showcase. ATHLETES FIRST FALL SHOWCASE IS A MAJOR SUCCESS! By: Rick McCormick, Owner/Editor of SOUTHWEST HOOPS REPORTS On Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24, the Athletes First Fall Showcase was held at the Performance Sports Complex in North Oklahoma City. The event was designed to be a fundamental two day session which served as a lead-in to Junior High and High School basketball practices. The event was a "no frills, fundamental, skills and drills camp". The Junior High segment of the camp ended each day with some live game action scrimmages. The High School session ended each day with full court drills of ballhandling,passing, and shooting. The High School group was directed by Carl Henry, the Head Coach of the National Champion, Athletes First AAU program. The players spent eight hours each day on the court going through every kind of fundamental drill one could imagine. It was a great opportunity for many of these kids to not only get a real jumpstart on many of their competitors, but also improve their skill level. The Showcase attracted players from throughout the State of Oklahoma. The talent level was certainly solid, in both the High School and Junior High divisions. Listed below is a breakdown on a few of the players in attendence: This group has definite NCAA D-I potential: Juwan Parker 6'4" 185 FREHSMAN Tulsa, Booker T. Washington Has a High-Major Chance and Future A great body for a young kid. Runs well, shoots it on pull-up and strokes the 3. Great wrist action on shot. Handles well, showed possible PG skill level. A tremendous talent for age. Could become one of the Nation's best in class of 2013. Matt Christianson 6'7" 220 SOPH Bishop McGuiness D-I Chance Runs well for a big kid. Is willing to throw body around and play a power post game. Showed some handles and ball skill. Josh Richardson 6'5' JUNIOR Edmond Santa Fe D-I Potential and Chance A run and jump athlete, quick jump off floor, good looking stroke and shot. A good talent level. Needs additional RPM'S in motor. Sean Young 6'10" 195 SOPH Bixby D-I Potential and Chance. Long, lean, and thin. Runs OK. Hands appeared OK. Looks young. Future depends on development, weight/strength and overall development of a true position. Is a project, but due to size and youth has a very high ceiling. This next group have a chance at some level of collegiate play: Zach Bowie 6'4 1/2" 170 SENIOR Bethany Showed some good handles, good skill level, and a good feel for the game. Chad Johnson 5'11" 180 JUNIOR Edmond Santa Fe Good strong and athletic body, good handles and speed. Plays aggressively and comes at you. Kyle Larkin 6'3" 155 SOPH Bethany Shoots it, moves well without the ball, decent feel for the game for a young kid. Rodney Teal 6'2" 145 SOPH Putnam City North Long and athletic, decent skill level. One to keep an eye on. A Young Kid To Watch: Frank Johnson 6'1" 150 8th Grade Putnam City West Decent handles and athleticism. *Note: Rick McCormick is a veteran college basketball coach of 27 years. McCormick was a College Head Coach and Athletic Director for 17 years. Along with winning a National Championship, he was named National Coach of the Year and was selected as Conference Coach of the Year in three different collegiate conferences. Known as an excellent evaluator, he brings the uniqueness of having coached collegiately at the Junior College, NAIA, NCAA D-II, and NCAA D-I levels. His website is www.southwesthoops.com.
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Remembering
Carolyn Orton

Remembering Carolyn Orton

Athletes First mourns the loss of a family member with the passing of Carolyn Orton on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 from complications of Lupus an autoimmune disorder. Carolyn, the mother of Terrence Crawford, former Oklahoma State player and Daniel Orton, current player at Bishop McGuinness High School and loving wife of Larry Orton (Big O), will be deeply missed by all. She will forever be remembered for her love and kindness towards all the kids in the program and her willingness to give of her herself to everyone. God has called her home but her kindred spirit will live on.
Athletes First Family

Exposure Combine

EBoss Hoops to cover event!!

Thanks to hard work and his visibility on the recruiting trail, Eric Bossi has earned his reputation as one of the top independent talent evaluators in the country.

The founder and director of EBoss Hoops Scouting Service a high school scouting service for Division One basketball programs, Bossi has clients across the country in conferences like the ACC, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Big 10, Big East, Horizon, Missouri Valley, Pac 10, Sun Belt, West Coast, and Mountain West among others.

A member of the United States Basketball Writer's Association, Bossi has done freelance work for many of the top outlets devoted to covering high school basketball. He's served as a Senior Recruiting Analyst for highly regarded PrepStars.com and it's partner magazine the Recruiter's Handbook for seven years.

Currently, Bossi provides evaluations and content for several sites on the scout.com network. He has also served as a talent evaluator for the prestigious Nike Hoop Jamboree for each of the last two summers.

Athlete's First Combine Recap

Dominique Raney

Over the weekend, Athlete's First held their first ever exposure combine. Scout.com was on hand to check out the action and get a look at some of the young talent.

When it comes to producing college and even NBA talent, Gary Vick's Athlete's First program has emerged as the top grassroots outfit in the state of Oklahoma. Continually producing top talent, the program took another step over the weekend holding an exposure combine at their new basketball facility in Oklahoma City.

Around 100 campers took the floor on Saturday and Sunday looking to emerge as the next Blake Griffin, Obi Muonelo, Xavier Henry, Shelden Williams, Daniel Orton or Kelenna Azubuike. [See Article]

D-Block Basketball Camp

Darnell Jackson Teaching Shooting Techniques

Darnell Jackson teaching young campers the proper shooting technique.

Darnell Jackson Teaching Block Techniques

Darnell Jackson teaching Matt Christinsen the proper block technique.

Athletes First 2010 Triple Threat Exposure Combine

2009 Nike Combine

Athletes First 2009 Nike Combine Vince Baldwin Top Scout

Top Nike Scout

Vince Baldwin evaluates the talent at the 2009 Nike Combine.

Athletes First 2009 Nike Combine

Players play above the rim at the 2009 Nike Combine.

Athletes First 2009 Nike Combine

2009 Nike Combine Action!

Daniel Orton
Shatters Backboard!

Daniel Orton
2009 Highlights

Athletes First Nike Showcase

Junior High - High School Boys
October 24 & 25, 2009

Athletes First Nike Showcase

Juwan Parker
Brings the ball up court during the 2009 Showcase.

Josh Richardson
Lays one in at the 2009 Showcase.

ATHLETES FIRST FALL SHOWCASE IS A MAJOR SUCCESS!

By: Rick McCormick, Owner/Editor of SOUTHWEST HOOPS REPORTS

On Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24, the Athletes First Fall Showcase was held at the Performance Sports Complex in North Oklahoma City.
The event was designed to be a fundamental two day session which served as a lead-in to Junior High and High School basketball practices. The event was a "no frills, fundamental, skills and drills camp". The Junior High segment of the camp ended each day with some live game action scrimmages. The High School session ended each day with full court drills of ballhandling,passing, and shooting. The High School group was directed by Carl Henry, the Head Coach of the National Champion, Athletes First AAU program. The players spent eight hours each day on the court going through every kind of fundamental drill one could imagine. It was a great opportunity for many of these kids to not only get a real jumpstart on many of their competitors, but also improve their skill level.

The Showcase attracted players from throughout the State of Oklahoma. The talent level was certainly solid, in both the High School and Junior High divisions.

Listed below is a breakdown on a few of the players in attendence:

This group has definite NCAA D-I potential:

Juwan Parker 6'4" 185 FREHSMAN Tulsa, Booker T. Washington Has a High-Major Chance and Future A great body for a young kid. Runs well, shoots it on pull-up and strokes the 3. Great wrist action on shot. Handles well, showed possible PG skill level. A tremendous talent for age. Could become one of the Nation's best in class of 2013.

Matt Christianson 6'7" 220 SOPH Bishop McGuiness D-I Chance
Runs well for a big kid. Is willing to throw body around and play a power post game. Showed some handles and ball skill.

Josh Richardson 6'5' JUNIOR Edmond Santa Fe D-I Potential and Chance
A run and jump athlete, quick jump off floor, good looking stroke and shot. A good talent level. Needs additional RPM'S in motor.

Sean Young 6'10" 195 SOPH Bixby D-I Potential and Chance.
Long, lean, and thin. Runs OK. Hands appeared OK. Looks young. Future depends on development, weight/strength and overall development of a true position. Is a project, but due to size and youth has a very high ceiling.

This next group have a chance at some level of collegiate play:

Zach Bowie 6'4 1/2" 170 SENIOR Bethany
Showed some good handles, good skill level, and a good feel for the game.

Chad Johnson 5'11" 180 JUNIOR Edmond Santa Fe
Good strong and athletic body, good handles and speed. Plays aggressively and comes at you.

Kyle Larkin 6'3" 155 SOPH Bethany
Shoots it, moves well without the ball, decent feel for the game for a young kid.

Rodney Teal 6'2" 145 SOPH Putnam City North
Long and athletic, decent skill level. One to keep an eye on.

A Young Kid To Watch:

Frank Johnson 6'1" 150 8th Grade Putnam City West
Decent handles and athleticism.

*Note: Rick McCormick is a veteran college basketball coach of 27 years. McCormick was a College Head Coach and Athletic Director for 17 years. Along with winning a National Championship, he was named National Coach of the Year and was selected as Conference Coach of the Year in three different collegiate conferences. Known as an excellent evaluator, he brings the uniqueness of having coached collegiately at the Junior College, NAIA, NCAA D-II, and NCAA D-I levels. His website is www.southwesthoops.com.

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