Five Philadelphia Catholic League Rising Juniors to Watch Pt. 2
The 2020-21 school year has begun in the Philadelphia area and schools within the city are already gearing up for winter sports. While there are big question marks in the air due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, there is optimism…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020-21 school year has begun in the Philadelphia area and schools within the city are already gearing up for winter sports.
While there are big question marks in the air due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, there is optimism for basketball to be played, especially in the Philadelphia Catholic League, arguably the most competitive high school athletics conference in the area.
Let’s take a look at five rising juniors who could have a massive impact for their schools this upcoming season.
Mandon Seapoe Mandon Seapoe 5'10" | PG Bonner-Prendergast | 2022 State PA , PG Bonner & Prendie: Seapoe is expected to be relied on much more in a program that finished in the top four of the PCL last season, just one of five schools to win 10 league games in 2019-20. He has the build of a prototypical point guard with speed. He’s someone you can rely on when it comes to controlling the game on the offensive end and can make plays on the defensive end, a good off-ball defender who can get on the break fast after a steal and take it to the rim himself or dish it off to a teammate, an extremely valuable asset.
Nasir Griffin Nasir Griffin 6'6" | SF West Catholic | 2022 State PA , SF West Catholic: Griffin has the perfect build for a forward. He’s someone who can grab a board down low and start up a fast break. On offense, he has excellent court vision, which might be his best asset. He’s able to pick out teammates for open looks when he isn’t. Griffin is aggressive in the lane, going up for his own offensive rebounds after a miss. He’s not afraid to use his length to his advantage to back down defenders. You can’t teach height and at 6’7”, Griffin is a force to be reckoned with.
Kareem Watson, SG West Catholic: Watson is one of West Catholic’s go-to scorers this season, especially from the outside. He has a pure shot from three, but he’s not one-dimensional. Watson is able to generate scoring opportunities down low, and he’s more than comfortable to shoot the midrange when he has it. His vision while driving down the lane allows him to dish the ball off for a close look or an opportunity to get to the line or take it to the cup. It’s his unselfish play that stands out the most and something to look at this season.
Jalen Flowers, SG/SF Father Judge: Flowers is a sharp-shooter and a specialist from three. He looks extremely comfortable shooting from deep and is a sure deep threat for Father Judge this season. He’s quick with the ball and agile, weaving through defenders to get into the lane for a layup or short jumper. While Flowers will be looked at as more of a spot-up shooter, an important part of any team, he’s aggressive to get into the lane and create opportunities for himself to deter defenders from consistently expecting him to settle for a perimeter shot.
Liam McDonnell, PG Lansdale Catholic: McDonnell is undersized at the point guard position, but he sure doesn’t play like a 5’8” guard. He can jump out of the gym and isn’t afraid to shoot from anywhere on the court. He wants the ball in his hands at crunch time, a level of leadership and confidence not readily seen in others in his class. McDonnell loves to shoot the three, and has a quick release to allow him to catch-and-shoot or dribble up the court and stop-and-pop from beyond the arc. He’s a shot creator and a clock manager. Everything you want in a point guard, McDonnell has and more.
Stay tuned for more as the PCL 2020-21 season gets closer.