[Photo credit: North Pole Hoops]

The North Pole Hoops Showcase Circuit made its way to Newfoundland and Labrador on the weekend with local basketball prospects getting a chance to show off their talent.

The showcase featured drills, scrimmages and an appearance from Canadian basketball legend/Newfoundlander Carl English. In his recap of the weekend, North Pole Hoops' Elias Sbiet had some good things to say about Newfoundland's basketball future.  

"The province of Newfoundland and Labrador, a place generally untapped and often unexposed finally had its opportunity.

Upperclassmen shooting guard, Akec Tong and underclassmen guard Caleb Sooley earned MVP status while several others mentioned below got onto the national radar. Among the names below, a handful of underclassmen prospects that should be changing the game forever in Newfoundland, considering they stay on the path. We call them the Fountain of Youth."

Sbiet also wrote about the challenges that players from 'The Rock' face with their basketball careers going forward, including geographic isolation, lack of available gym time, and poor weather year-round for playing outdoors. However, Sbiet praised provincial coaches and trainers ready to face the challenges. 

"What I’ve learned most about Newfoundlanders is that they don’t make excuses. They have that “if there’s a will, there’s a way” type of attitude.

For the young guns in attendance, they have received the blueprint and have an opportunity to shape the direction of the sport in Newfoundland forever."

Below is a list of the Top 10 prospects from Newfoundland's showcase. For a more in-depth look at the players and the showcase, check out Sbiet's recap. 

Devin Oleary | Holy Heart

Nicholas Fowler| Holy Heart

Liam Chislett | Holy Heart 

Akec Tong | St. Bonaventure's College | MVP 

Chris Edwards | Gonzaga High

Matthew Pennell | St. Peters Jr High

Dem Lam | Brother Rice Junior High

Caleb Sooley | Rothesay Netherwood | MVP

Arpandeep Singh | Waterford Valley High School 

Joshua Reimer | Brother Rice Junior High