Play By Play Classsic: Top Forwards
In a double-header that featured convincing wins for Moeller over Hughes then Taft over Deer Park, the dominate performances came from the forwards. Namely, a pair of college commits, Alec Pfriem (Bellarmine) and Chris’seon Stringer (Toledo football), paced their teams…
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Continue ReadingIn a double-header that featured convincing wins for Moeller over Hughes then Taft over Deer Park, the dominate performances came from the forwards. Namely, a pair of college commits, Alec Pfriem (Bellarmine) and Chris’seon Stringer (Toledo football), paced their teams with senior leadership and efficient offensive performances. Also, we’ll tell you how Nekhi Smith, Alex Williams, Ibrahima Athie, and Max Land made their mark.
Alec Pfriem (2019), 6’4” F, Moeller
Pfriem’s in-between game was exceptional. What we mean is that he ate up Hughes in the mid-range, usually using just one dribble to get separation before hitting a pull-up or floater. The efficiency and decision-making with the ball speaks to Pfriem’s varsity experience — he’s very poised in the lane. Pfriem also facilitated offense as a secondary ball-handler. His flash cuts were timely. All in all, he finished with a stupendous stat line of 20 points (9/12 shooting), seven rebounds, and six assists.
Chris’seon Stringer (2019), 6’3” W/F, Taft
Stringer had a team-high six rebounds, proving to be their most consistent presence around the rim. But, he also played a little point guard and scored going coast-to-coast, including a thunderous dunk to end the third quarter. His impact is layered. Stringer is also their most versatile and talented defender because of his power and length. Basically, wherever they’re struggling, Stringer can fill that gap. He was the ball-handler when Demarco Bradley had fouls, and the quasi-center on defense when Nekhi Smith went to the bench.
Nekhi Smith (2020), 6’6” F, Taft
In limited playing time, Smith had 21 points and four rebounds. He struggled with foul trouble and, therefore, couldn’t find a rhythm … until the fourth quarter. To close the game, Taft picked apart Deer Park’s fullcourt trap on the back of Smith’s combination of playmaking ability and size. They found him in the middle, just before halfcourt, and he took it from there. With a head of steam, Smith either spun in the paint for easy and-ones or dished a simple pass to a spot-up shooter.
The junior Division I prospect has trimmed down, looking more cut. He exploded to the rim a couple times, including a reverse dunk that was the cherry on top. Smith is more confident shooting 3-pointers, too, even though he didn’t quite connect Friday.
Alex Williams (2021), 6’4” F, Moeller
Whoa. The sophomore 6’4”, 215-pound forward showed a wealth of both skill and power in their blowout win. Coming off the bench, Williams earns the majority of the playing time at the five because of his mobility and security with the ball on the perimeter. The five for Moeller is asked to step outside and swing it in a lot of their sets and he’s a threat in that position.
Anyways, Williams has a strong ground game. He can move opponents off the block and showed off a nasty spin move to score, too. Williams tallied three assists because of his vision, mostly coming on interior passes from the high post. Three of his 11 points came on a spot-up trey from the corner. He moves with guards on the perimeter.
Max Land (2020), 6’4” W/F, Moeller
Moeller’s defense is tremendous. They’re prepared, but their personnel cannot be overlooked, including Land. He’s a rangy defender who shut down a couple balls in the passing lanes. Land is super fast. He also crashed the offensive glass and out-boarded opponents with his athleticism. Quick twitch athlete. Shot well from the free throw line.
Ibrahima Athie (2019), 6’5 W/F, Deer Park
Athie is playing more on the perimeter this season for Deer Park. He’s a little unpolished, which makes him unpredictable off the bounce. Unfortunately it led to a few traveling violations too, but those should become more seldom with experience. The long athlete can defend multiple positions and still rebound with size and bounce. Athie tends to pick up his dribble around the block and spin his way into contested finishes off the glass.
It might not have been the prettiest performance from Athie, but he finished with 20 points and six rebounds. At the next level, his role will likely be more simplified, where he’s set-up to play to his strengths. In that scenario, Athie will be a terrifying defender for less athletic wings who finishes at the rim on straight-line drives and on the break. We like him as a small ball four for teams who want to play with tempo.