Impressions on Top Jrs - War on the Shore

While the prep school ranks are most noted for providing a great pool of postgraduate basketball talent, there were a number of excellent junior prospects at last weekend's War on the Shore Tournament in Milford, Del.

Rivalshoops.com takes a look at some of the better 2004 class players who made their mark at the inaugural event from Nov. 22-24.

Chris Alvarez, Blair Academy. A 6-8, 200 pound forward, Alvarez played inside primarily for the Buccaneers at the War on the Shore. The raven maned forward was aggressive on the glass in a primarily complimentary role. His importance to the Blair program will definitely increase as the season progresses.

Norman Plummer, Brewster Academy. A lanky 6-6, 200 pound small/combo forward, Plummer helped his stock tremendously at the War on the Shore. He runs the floor very well, is an active presence on defense, and can score both off the dribble and in transition. A native of Fairfield, Ohio, Plummer averaged 26 points in the Bobcats' two losses at the War on the Shore. If he can improve his strength and three point shot, he could develop into Brewster's best prospect.

Joel Smith, Brewster Academy. A well proportioned 6-4, 205 pound swingman, Smith is a strong athlete who elevates quite well on his jumper. While he hasn't met an outside shot that he wouldn't take, Smith can also be effective on the glass and will score in the paint for the Bobcats. High majors have already taken notice of Smith, and if he can put it all together on a consistent basis, there's no telling who could get involved.

Deion James, Brewster Academy. Milwaukee transplant should be a 6-1 point guard, but he's truly more of a shooting/combo type who's at his best when he is slashing to the hole. If he can fine tune his handle and decision making, Brewster could benefit handsomely.

Jamual Warren, Milford Academy. Explosive, strong and a constant motor best describe the 6-1 Warren, who turned in a terrific 17 point, eight assist effort for the Falcons last Saturday at the War on the Shore. Jamual is at his best when he penetrates, because it makes everything go for the Milford attack. If his decision making stays crisp and his perimeter shot comes around, then the sky could be the limit for Warren.

Roosevelt Lee, Milford Academy. People outside the Northeast probably never had a chance to see Lee play prior to the War on the Shore, and the 6-5 forward confirmed many of the things that we've known about him. He's blessed with a good basketball body and athletic, but he needs to continue honing his perimeter skills if he's going to make the transition to the wing at the next level. He did brandish a pretty reliable stroke from short to midrange at the War on the Shore, hitting a robust 19 of 32 shots while averaging 22 points per contest. A definite top 100 talent in the Class of 2004.

Abdulai Jalloh, National Christian Academy. A very aggressive and offensive minded lead guard, the 6-0 Jalloh plays with a high degree of intensity. However, he's really not a point guard. At the War on the Shore, he too often tried to make difficult plays and play one on five. On the plus side, he's athletic and plays consistently hard no matter what the scoreboard says. If he can make better decisions and take better care of the basketball, then Jalloh could turn into a high major floor general down the line.

Juan Diego Tello Palacios, Our Savior New American. A husky 6-8 forward, Palacios is a power forward with terrific touch around the basket. He uses his body well to create space for open looks, although he's got to be careful not to travel when he puts the floor on the deck. A definite top 25 prospect in the Class of 2004.

Cheyenne Moore, West Nottingham Academy. A long and lanky 6-5 swingman, Moore is a mobile athlete who can finish with the best of them. While his perimeter stroke tends to be streaky and his handle is still a work in progress, Moore showed solid passing skills from the high post. In fact, he played a bit like a point forward during WNA's three games last weekend at the War on the Shore. Moore has already committed to Georgetown.