Pango’s All-East Frosh/Soph Camp: Day 1 Takeaways
Exposure events are huge opportunities for players across the nation. They provide the prospects the chance to showcase their talent against the best players in their age group in front of peers, family, coaches, media and scouts. The Pango’s All-East…
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Continue ReadingExposure events are huge opportunities for players across the nation. They provide the prospects the chance to showcase their talent against the best players in their age group in front of peers, family, coaches, media and scouts. The Pango’s All-East Frosh/Soph Camp provides the perfect opportunity for young players to show their stuff. Here are some takeaways from the opening day at Pango’s All-East Frosh/Soph Camp.
1. Mackenzie Mgbako cemented his place as one of the top young players in the state
Mgbako is currently the highest rated freshman in New Jersey and he did not disappoint. The 6’7 forward improved upon his strong showing at the Northeast Fall Invitational with a strong all-around in both sessions. Mgbako knocked a three-pointer, made smart passes and defended the paint well.
He showcased his good handles with a pair of nifty crossovers in the backcourt before scoring a beautiful layup. Mgbako is ready to contribute for a talented Gill St. Bernard’s team that needs someone to replace Paul Mulcahy’s production. He entered the camp as the top rated freshman in the class and cemented that status with a strong showing on day one.
2. Jeremiah Bembry is in for a breakout sophomore season
The great thing about exposure events is that they provide a glimpse into the future. A strong showing at these events can give players the confidence they need before the start of the season. Bembry is a prime example of this as he had a great showing in day 1.
He is a gamer that will do whatever his team needs to win games. Bembry had the game-winning assist in his second game as he found his teammate wide open from behind the arc. He did not play too much in his freshman season because of injury, but Bembry’s showing at Pango’s is proof that he will take the state by storm in his sophomore season.
3. Simeon Wilcher will contribute for Roselle Catholic as a freshman
It’s hard for freshmen to contribute for nationally ranked high school teams, but Wilcher is an exception. The 6’3 guard was lethal off the bounce on day one as he routinely beat his defenders. He did not just attack to score as Wilcher was a willing passer who made smart decisions with the ball.
The Lions are a stacked team with Simeon’s older brother, CJ, occupying the backcourt alongside seniors Niels Lane, Richie Greaves and Corey Floyd Jr. While Roselle Catholic’s backcourt is full of talent, the younger Wilcher is simply too good to keep off the court. He may not start a lot of games for the Lions, but Wilcher will be a key contributor for one of the top teams in the country in 2019-20.
4. Elmarko Jackson is a big sleeper in the Class of 2022
The sophomore class is full of so many guards that some of them are going to be slept on. Jackson showed that he should not be slept on as the 6’3 guard had a tremendous showing on day one. He played with tremendous poise as he never seemed rattled on the ball.
Jackson was able to pick his spots on the floor at will and get his shot off. He showed good handles and made accurate passes to teammates in the half court. Jackson is ready to lead St. Augustine’s offense as a sophomore and is the top candidate to shoot up the in the next set of rankings.
5. Dionte Johnson is the biggest stock riser
Players always raise their stocks after solid showings at exposure events. Johnson is an example of that as he was one of the top players in the camp. The 6’0 sophomore guard showed off his smooth handles by repeatedly beating his defenders off the bounce.
Johnson was relentless attacking the basket as he was constantly making layups or drawing contact. The Patrick School guard was also a pest on defense as he hounded ball handlers throughout the day. Johnson did not enter the camp with the biggest name, but coaches will remember his name after his performance at the Pango’s All-East Frosh/Soph camp.