Underrated Prospects: Fenwick vs. Westinghouse (Playoffs)
In the 3A sectional semifinals, Fenwick beat Westinghouse 96-71. The game featured some of the top prospects in the state, but some players still making names for themselves also showed their potential to play at the next level. Here are…
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Continue ReadingIn the 3A sectional semifinals, Fenwick beat Westinghouse 96-71. The game featured some of the top prospects in the state, but some players still making names for themselves also showed their potential to play at the next level.
Here are our underrated prospects for Fenwick vs. Westinghouse.
David Gieser (2022 unranked) | Fenwick
The Friars needed someone to take pressure off of stars Bryce Hopkins Bryce Hopkins 6'7" | PF Fenwick | 2021 State #32 Nation IL and Trey Pettigrew, and Gieser was the guy. He scored 21 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the arc. He’s got good lift and a quick release, and at 6-1 can get his shot if he’s got any window at all. Coach Staunton Peck talked after the game about the growth of Gieser and the other sophomores throughout the season, and Gieser was named CCL honorable mention this year. He’s got plenty of potential as a knock-down shooter and already starts for a state title contender as a sophomore.
Kier Jordan (2021 unranked) | Westinghouse
Fenwick led wire to wire, but Jordan was not going down without a fight for Westinghouse. After shooting 1-for-12 in the first half, he went 5-for-11 in the second to finish with 24 points. He’d have scored 30-plus if not for late free-throw woes.
Jordan is just 5-10, but he’s incredibly quick. He got to the rim often, and if he can improve his finishing in traffic he’ll be deadly. Defensively, he’s the guy you hate to play against, always hunting to poke the ball away from behind or jump a passing lane. Despite being the smallest guy on the court at most times, he finished with six rebounds, several on the offensive end. He’s pesky, quick and has a great handle, and has the range to keep defenders honest.
Dwayne Walton (2021 unranked) | Westinghouse
Westinghouse causes problems by being pesky, playing physical defense and hustling all over the floor. Like Jordan, Walton embodies that. The 6-0 junior has long arms and made things tough for Pettigrew for much of the game. He finished with nine points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists. He was all over the court, crashing the offensive glass, drawing fouls, defending full court. He’s poised for a big senior season for the Warriors.
Max Reese (2022 unranked) | Fenwick
Reese is another honorable mention All-CCL player on the basketball court, but you can see his football experience in the way he plays. A starting tight end and wide receiver on the Friars football team, he’s athletic and strong, and isn’t afraid to get physical down low. Offensively, he looked comfortable taking a backseat to Hopkins and Pettigrew, but he was also comfortable when he got the ball in the press break or in half-court offense. On the other end, he’s got good length at 6-3, and he grabbed seven rebounds, adding three points and a block. He’s another sophomore starter for the Friars.
Gary Johns Gary Johns 6'6" | PF Westinghouse | 2021 State IL (2021 No. 96) | Westinghouse
Johns was the tallest player on the floor in this game, but he’s listed as and plays like a guard. At 6-7 with an even bigger wingspan, he’s got the frame to really develop into a solid prospect, but he’s still a project. He had a quiet game as the smaller Westinghouse guards dominated the ball. Still, you can see his potential as he grabbed four rebounds and blocked a pair of shots at the rim with authority. He was more assertive offensively in the second half, using his shot fake to get open mid-range shots, they just weren’t falling for him.
Eian Pugh Eian Pugh 6'2" | PG Fenwick | 2022 IL (2022 No. 79) | Fenwick
Pugh is the fifth sophomore in the rotation for Fenwick. Like most of his fellow underclassmen, he’s comfortable playing alongside the Fenwick stars, handling the ball when necessary and providing scrappy defense. What impressed most was a charge Pugh took under the basket. Plays like that will help him continue to earn minutes on a talented roster.
Daniel Johnson (2023 unranked) | Fenwick
Johnson is a player to watch out for over the next few years. He came in as the ninth man for Fenwick and provided valuable minutes, particularly on the defensive end. He’s listed at 6-4, 170 pounds already, and he looks like he’ll end up several inches taller. He had two points, three rebounds and a block in limited minutes. He’s got the type of frame and athleticism where you can already see the makings of a monster interior defender as he develops.