Underclassman All-State Camp: Middle School Team

Sharod Barnes  5-5  7th  South Arbor Charter Academy: The youngest player in camp — and if it wasn’t his height, the headband featuring twitter emojis may have also given away that fact. There have been some prodigy kind of guards his age at previous camps, like Juwan Moody and Cassius Winston, and Sharod doesn’t carry those expectations, but lived up to the latter’s example, at least, with eagerness to be coached and eyes lighting up, at home handling the ball in games; during which he got better as he became more comfortable though obviously there were physical limitations against varsity sophomores.

Jack Currie  6-0  8th  Oakland Christian: Very coachable, staff loved his personality and team-first play. Mature player who knew what to do off the ball, very strong kid and used it to set screen after screen. Could catch and finish. May not reach height of brother Taylor, now a freshman at Wisconsin, but would only need to be 6-5 and play with the intent he does now and Jack will be a college prospect, and that’s not even considering five years of skill improvement between now and then.

Carmelo Lindsey  5-8  8th  Baldwin: The Panthers graduated an all-state guard, Blake Dockery, but could have another one in the pipe. This smalltown Class D middle schooler showed he belonged athletically, competitively with older players from bigger schools. Carried himself well in drills. He looked good shooting it, but sometimes got in trouble trying to do too much with the dribble.

Trucel Singleton  5-10  8th  Benton Harbor: Already plays hard, and a terrific long-term prospect. Athletic guard with a streaky shot, did it better in games than drills, setting up the shot with slashing drives. Able to get it off the dribble, a quick release against bigger defenders. Able to pull up on the break and stick the J. Sometimes sat on the ball too long stopping it in the half-court, setting up half-hearted clear-outs instead of keeping the ball hot, making the defense work and getting easier shots, because he attempted some tough ones.

Bernard Varnesdeel  5-4  8th  Wyoming: Don’t be surprised if as time goes on he surpasses a bunch of guys in this camp, because he was doing a lot of good fundamental things, knew where to be surprisingly well for a middle schooler and handled himself with confidence He just sometimes got swallowed up by bigger kids. Showed skills in drills. Good looking shot, hit 3s when had some daylight.