Buc Classic Stock Risers
The Buc Classic was a tournament full of surprises and high-level play. St. Thomas Aquinas won the tournament behind the strong guard play of Wake Forest commit Quadry Adams and sophomore Jaquan Harris. They were not the only players who had big tournaments…
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Continue ReadingThe Buc Classic was a tournament full of surprises and high-level play. St. Thomas Aquinas won the tournament behind the strong guard play of Wake Forest commit Quadry Adams and sophomore Jaquan Harris. They were not the only players who had big tournaments as some players carried their teams through the tournament. Here are the top stock risers from the 2019 Buc Classic.
Daniel Thomas, 5’10 PG Burlington Township 2021
No player improved their stock more than Thomas did. The junior guard was at times the best player on the floor as he lived at the basket. Thomas started off the tournament knocking down three-pointers, but he played his best when the competition got tougher.
The 5’10 guard was unafraid of taking on Ranney’s Elijah Perkins and outplayed the sophomore guard for most of the night. St. Thomas Aquinas could not keep Thomas out of the lane as he weaved his way through traffic to make tough layups. Burlington Township will be one of the top teams in Central Jersey Group 3 and Thomas is a big reason for that.
Jalen Jones, 6’3 SG St. Thomas Aquinas 2021
Jones started off the Buc Classic coming off the bench, but became the starter in the final two games. His offensive numbers went through the roof when he joined the starting lineup as he put up 20 points in his last two games. Jones was the X-factor in the title game as his 14 points were the third most on the team.
He stretched the Falcons’ defense with his three-point shooting, but was also unafraid to mix it up inside. Jones hit several tough shots around the basket and grabbed a couple of good rebounds in traffic. The junior guard had a terrific showing in the Buc Classic and his role for St. Thomas Aquinas should only expand.
Drew Valentino, 6’1 PF Red Bank Regional 2020
Valentino may be one of the smallest power forwards in the tournament, but that did not stop him from having a monster tournament. The 6’1 power forward started off with a huge showing against Monmouth Regional as the Falcons could not stop him from gobbling up rebounds inside. He struggled with St. Thomas Aquinas’ length inside, but he was still able to hold his own on the glass.
Valentino’s best performance came against Ranney in the third place game as he was all over the floor. He attacked the basket hard, gobbled up rebounds and swatted shots in the 60-53 upset victory. Valentino proved that Red Bank Regional can compete with high-level teams because of his relentlessness and energy.
Daniel Boateng, 6’5 SF Woodbrdige 2021
Boateng struggled with his shooting early in the tournament, but that does not diminish his play. The junior forward showcased a wide range of skills as he brought the ball up, knocked down three-pointers and gobbled up rebounds. Boateng was a leader for the Barrons on both ends of the floor and stepped up when his team needed him most.
His 19 first half points in the fifth place game were huge as the Barrons were struggling on offense at times. Boateng’s ability to lead Woodbridge through tough situations was the reason the Barrons were able to pull off consecutive nail-biters in the consolation bracket. Boateng is a versatile player who is capable of having a good shooting night at any time.
Jordan Dotson, 6’4 PF Burlington Township 2022
It was unfortunate that Dotson had to leave the final early due to injury as the sophomore forward was having a stellar tournament. He was active around the rim on both ends of the floor and showcased a soft touch around the basket. Dotson ripped down rebounds on the defensive end and snared many offensive rebounds for the Falcons.
He moved his feet well on the defensive end and blocked numerous shots around the rim. Dotson was emerging as a key post presence next to senior forward Emmanuel Ayetigbo in the Buc Classic. Burlington Township will be a very dangerous team in Central Jersey Group 3 if Dotson is able to maintain his play from the Buc Classic.
Other Names to Know:
Kevin Ferrogine, 5’11 PG Red Bank Regional 2021
Ryan Zan, 6’5 PF Ranney 2022
Ish Reynosa, 5’7 PG Woodbridge 2020
Aidan Ryan, 6’0 SG Sayreville 2021
Kiran Desai, 6’2 SG Monmouth Regional 2022
Tommy Giannone, 6’4 SF Middletown North 2022