Five Central Athletic League Juniors to Watch Pt. 1
The high school boys basketball season is fast-approaching, an exciting time for many across the country. Prep Hoops has given you a look at some of the best players to watch in the Philadelphia region so far. This time, the…
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Continue ReadingThe high school boys basketball season is fast-approaching, an exciting time for many across the country.
Prep Hoops has given you a look at some of the best players to watch in the Philadelphia region so far. This time, the magnifying glass is moving over just outside city lines to the Main Line.
With that being said here’s the first part of a two-part series on what juniors you should look out for in the Central Athletic League.
Jameel Brown Jameel Brown 6'4" | SG Westtown School | 2022 State #180 Nation PA , G/F Haverford: Brown shows a lot of position versatility, an important factor for a player of his size and stature on the court. Brown’s height gives him an advantage beyond the arc, where he looks extremely comfortable and confident shooting the three. Not only that, but he’s agile on both ends of the court, a player who can block a shot in a crucial situation or cause a massive turnover from a steal or just disrupting the offensive flow of the game on the defensive end. Look for him to make some heads turn this season for Haverford.
Isaiah Freeman, G/F Strath Haven: Freeman is a multi-sport athlete, also excelling on the football field, and for good reason. He has great hands, plays a fast-paced, aggressive style and is going to do what he can to get some points on the board. For basketball, that comes in bunches when he’s shooting from the outside, shooting the three with confidence. However, he also created scoring opportunities on defense, causing turnovers to create fast-break attempts at the other end. He’s truly a forced to be reckoned with on the court.
Jaylen Shippen, PG/SG Lover Merion: Shippen plays an aggressive style of basketball, but it’s one that’s efficient and formidable. He likes to get on the break because he’s not only someone open most of the time for a shot, but he’s a facilitator, so if there is someone else open, he’s dishing the ball off. That allows him to be a versatile combo guard, not only agile with good court vision, but a sharp shooter, a sure shot from beyond the arc, where he excels and looks most comfortable.
Justin DiBona, G Marple Newtown: DiBona has the makings of a Brad Davison-type player, an impact player on the court who loves to disrupt the game and makes his presence felt during key possessions on offense. If left open, expect him to drain a look from beyond the arc, or he’ll make his own shot, driving into the lane, creating contact in order to score. He can create turnovers on defense, not just from a steal, but also from taking a charge in the lane. DiBona plays aggressive and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body for possession or for a scoring opportunity.
Ben Stanton, PG/SG Penncrest: Stanton has the build of a prototypical guard, which in his case, is perfect. He has a clean shot, and welcomes an open look from beyond the arc. He looks extremely confident shooting the three, which is a great asset as a guard, but playing as a combo guard, he adds that as another plus to his game. Stanton is a facilitator as well with great court vision and awareness and plays tough man defense, both massive assets for any program.
We will be finishing up our look at the juniors of the Central Athletic League in part two of this mini series, but look out for more player previews, profiles and analysis as the season creeps closer.