Cool first impression for Hopson

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Scottie Hopson, incoming freshman at the University of Tennessee, signs autographs for fans at the opener of the Rocky Top League. Games are at Bearden High School every Monday and Wednesday starting at 6:00 p.m. with the last game at 9:00 p.m. now through July 2nd. Watch »

Scotty Hopson's expression never changed.

Not on any of his high-flying dunks, killer crossover dribbles or no-look passes Monday night.

The incoming Tennessee freshman lived up to the hype on the opening night of the Pilot Rocky Top League before a packed-in crowd at Bearden High School.

Scary thing was, Hopson made it all look so easy in leading his team, Ray's ESG, to a 140-115 victory over Richardson Construction.

"I've still got some things to work on,'' said Hopson, who appeared to barely break a sweat despite the gym's 90-degree temperature. "I'm just trying to get in the flow.''

UT's incoming junior college All-American point guard Bobby Maze will be there to make it happen.

"Scotty is a tremendous player,'' said Maze, who showed great quickness and ball-handling skills. "I can make him so much better, and I'm going to make sure he's on the right track.''

Hopson finished with 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting while Maze scored 14, going 6-of-13 from the field with nine assists.

Hopson said he sees great things happening between him and Maze - both in the PRTL and the upcoming Tennessee season.

"Bobby has great court awareness, and he's a great passer,'' Hopson said. "And, like me, he's hungry. It's something to look forward to, because we both like the same kind of basketball.''

Hopson just smiled when asked about his cool demeanor.

"You haven't seen the other side of me yet,'' he said. "I'll get crazy and hyped, maybe in the next Rocky Top League game.''

Predictably, Hopson was mobbed by fans after the game.

"I'm glad they are happy that I'm here,'' Hopson said. "I'm happy to see them, too.''

Incoming freshman point guard Daniel West, who along with freshman post Phillip Jurick played earlier, said Hopson is as good a person as he is a basketball player.

"Scotty is like my brother; we've bonded,'' said West, who dished out six assists and showed strong fundamentals and defensive intensity. "Playing ball with him is fun. He's a creator.''

Jurick, meanwhile, is an intimidator.

The 6-foot-11 East Ridge High product scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting, but he had five rebounds and blocked six shots - three in the first three minutes before opponents figured out driving at him wasn't such a good idea.

"It's great to get a chance to play with the better players,'' Jurick said. "But early fouls hurt me, and I couldn't get in the flow of the game.''

The HT Group scored a 123-76 victory over the News-Sentinel as a result of that.

Tyler Smith, who scored 32 for the HT Group, said he's impressed with all the Vols' newcomers.

"Daniel is hard-nosed and tough; he'll get a lot of loose balls and he's a point guard first,'' said Smith, West's teammate on the HT Group team. "Bobby is a great addition; he's great in the open court. And Scotty, he's just a great player. Only a few can come from high school and be ready to play at this level physically and mentally.

"His game is there, it's just a matter of maturity now, and I know he'll be fine.''

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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