PeachStateBasketball.com – EOTO Program Review – August 13, 2014

Zakaya Wright is part of a essay on my town in french bright future for EOTO. Watch for her and her teammates to make steps forward in years to come.

Coach Ken Huffman has guided EOTO into a program that develop players and gives them the exposure that they need. In the six years that his organization has been together, his teams have become a fixture at Peach State Basketball events. The standard that his organization has created continues to attract some of the top talent from North Georgia and beyond.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Since it’s inception, EOTO boasts of two of the best individual success stories in that time. Huffman helped develop point guard Jasmine Jenkins of Gainesville, Ga., who is headed into her Junior season at Vanderbilt University this year. He also coached wing forward Morgan Jackson of Gainesville, Ga., who also is going into her Junior year at Georgia State University. Huffman helped provide the platform for both of these young ladies to show that they could compete at the highest levels in the sport.

Program Director:

Ken Huffman

Program Headquarters:

Gainesville, Ga.

PeachStateBasketball.com Tournaments Attended:

Spring Showdown
Pre-Season Shootout
Tip-Off Classic
Real Deal in the ‘Ville Session I
Summer Invitational
Elite 32 Summer Jam Session I
Elite 32 Summer essay on my summer vacation in french Jam Session II

Notable Players:

Endia Banks – 2017
Karlie Bearden – 2016
Alexis Gant – 2015 (Emmanuel College Verbal)
Breanna Locke – 2016
Ashley Parker – 2015 (North Georgia Verbal)
Corey Staples – 2015

Program Notes from Ken Huffman:

The EOTO organization put together two teams that traveled on the exposure circuit to play in front of hundreds of coaches during the months of April and July. This is consistent with Huffman’s vision, as he says “Our goal is to simply give kids an opportunity to play travel ball, regardless of their potential collegiate level.”

One of the more satisfying aspects of Huffman’s job is to help girls understand that they can be recruited. Huffman says, “We take many of these girls from playing YBOA basketball to playing at a higher level. Most had no idea that a college coach would be interested in them, much less be talked about as a potential player.”

Although coach Huffman has had past success in helping players elevate their play, each year brings its own unique set of challenges. Huffman mentions numerous players who started off playing timid, but then are able to persevere and reach essay proofreaders new heights. In his words, “The most satisfying part of all of this is watching how the kids respond on the court.”

The Program: 

Watching how players progress from one year to the next is always an exciting story line to follow. No player better demonstrates how adversity can propel a player to greater heights than Corey Staples of Buford, Ga.  She finished her third year with the EOTO program on a high note after suffering injuries in every summer leading up this one. However, these setbacks did not prevent her from having the confidence to finish strong. Staples who has long been a player of potential began to transition into a player of production and Marshall University recognized that by offering her a scholarship. As Huffman says, “I was proud to see Corey overcome injuries and personal doublt to earn her first offer this summer.”

Other players who stepped in big moments this year were class of 2015 forward Ashley Parker and class of 2016 swing forward Karlie Bearden and both of Dawsonville, Ga. Parker gave her verbal commitment to North Georgia before the month of July began. Her reputation as essay prompt for college a shooter earned her a spot on the roster for the Lady Nighthawks in years to come. The 5-11 Bearden is a player of skill who has also gained interest from North Georgia as well as several other schools in the region.

Other individuals who have come on late for Huffman’s squad have been class of 2016 forward Breanna Locke of Flowery Branch, Ga., and class of 2017 prospects Pamela Johnson of Buford, Ga., and Endia Banks of Duluth, Ga. All of these players had their moments this summer where they stepped up in critical situations. Huffman looks for these players to carry the torch in years to come for EOTO.

The Future

EOTO made it a point to travel with two teams this summer to have multiple prospects ready for future competition. As he said, “I am very excited about the progress that our Green team made this summer. I always liked working with them during practice, but I look forward to coaching them more in the games next year.”

Coach Pamela Johnson took the leadership role for this team this year and helped guide several promising players in the right essay writing service vancouver bc direction. Continue to watch the development of class of 2016 guard Maddie Hetzel of Flowery Branch, Ga., who Huffman calls a “gym rat.” Also class of 2017 guard Hannah Grogan of Gainesville, Ga., is a player that is making strides. She has been a part of the EOTO organization since she was in fourth grade.

Huffman also mentioned younger players such as class of 2017 forward Zakaya Wright of Buford, Ga., who uses energy and hustle to be productive. He also speaks highly of point guard Lexie Xsengkhammee of Braselton, Ga., who’s love of the game is evident every time she steps on to the floor.

ProspectsNationTV: EOTO versus NW Blazers on July 27, 2014

Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com. The service is used by more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves on the selection committee for the EBA All-American, Fab Five and Super 64 Camps. He has been involved in the community since 2002 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at [email protected] and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB