Germantown Academy Primed for Inter-Ac Run
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[player_tooltip player_id="990929" first="Jordan" last="Longino"] (C/O 20201) This week the Inter-Ac will finally tip off its Covid-19 shortened 2020-21 season. While the opinions of local hoop heads vary as to which team will reign supreme this season in the private school…
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Continue ReadingThis week the Inter-Ac will finally tip off its Covid-19 shortened 2020-21 season. While the opinions of local hoop heads vary as to which team will reign supreme this season in the private school league, there is a dark horse squad we like a great deal.
This season we will be keeping an eye on the Germantown Academy Patriots. In 2019-20, Germantown Academy won 15 games (5-5) and they return a slew of talented prospects. Head Coach Matt Dolan’s 2020-21 roster is headlined by mega-star Jordan Longino Jordan Longino 6'5" | CG Germantown Academy | 2021 State #67 Nation PA (reigning 4A state Player of the Year), highly skilled combo guard Jake Hsu Jake Hsu 6'0" | PG Germantown Academy | 2022 State PA as well as Class of 2022 standout Casey Traina Casey Traina 6'3" | CG Germantown Academy | 2022 State PA . Additionally, Dolan’s team boasts a deep bench. When you combine these items, Germantown Academy is a squad that should be a major factor in the Inter-Ac here in 2021.
Below is a preview of Germantown Academy’s 2020-21 roster accompanied by quick insights on each player from Head Coach Matt Dolan.
Potential Starting Five:
Jake Hsu Jake Hsu 6'0" | PG Germantown Academy | 2022 State PA – 6’1” / Junior / Combo Guard: A two sport star for Germantown Academy (Also plays WR on GA football team.), many have labeled Hsu as a “freak athlete”. He has been in the starting lineup for the basketball team for nearly two full seasons and has served as a great complimentary player for GA megastar Jordan Longino Jordan Longino 6'5" | CG Germantown Academy | 2021 State #67 Nation PA . This season Hsu will be running the point for the Patriots. From the lead guard spot, Hsu can get to the basket whenever he wants (7 ppg. and 47% on FGAs). Yet he remains under control and focused on finding his teammates in the right spots. An excellent do-everything player for GA, Hsu showed he can get buckets for the Patriots in the Penn Charter game last season. With Longino out vs PC, Hsu posted a team-high 17 points. In 2019-20 he had 7 other games where he scored in double figures. Plays AAU ball for the New York Rens.
Coach Dolan says: Fearless, tough guard who continues to get better. Terrific student who is hearing from high academic schools from all levels.
Jordan Longino Jordan Longino 6'5" | CG Germantown Academy | 2021 State #67 Nation PA – 6’1” / Junior / Combo Guard: There’s really no much left to write about the elite skills of Longino. He is widely considered one of the top guards in the state and nationally he is a Top 50 ranked 2021 prospect. In 2019-20 the all-everything combo guard tore through the Inter-AC again (3x All-League selection) on his way to being named the Class 4A State Player of the Year. This 3-level scorer hit for 22.9 ppg. on 54% shooting from the field and 41.5% from behind the arc. As a bonus to all of his offensive skills, Longino is an excellent defender. Committed to Villanova.
Coach Dolan says: A senior captain who ranks 6th all-time in scoring (at GA). Terrific scorer and he will be counted on to defend other team’s best player.
Dean Millard – 6’2” / Senior / Shooting Guard: By the end of the 2019-20 season Millard had developed into the energetic 6th man that every team dreams of having on the roster. This winter Millard will step into the starting lineup for GA and by all accounts he’s more than ready to handle that move. Millard is a very athletic prospect who will bolster the Patriots transition game. Additionally, Millard is a solid rebounding guard who can score via second chance opportunities. Millard will also be called on to help GA get stops during clutch time of close games. On the grassroots circuit, Millard plays for Philly Pride AAU.
Coach Dolan says: A leader who continues to improve for us. We will rely on him to defend at a high level.
Blake Smith – 6’5” / Junior / Wing: A skilled and versatile wing, Smith is an excellent role player whose skill fits perfectly with GA’s first unit. With his height and excellent court vision, Smith is a high level passer who will thread the needle to an open teammate for an easy bucket. Thus Smith provides some much needed ball movement for a GA starting five that excels in scoring one-on-one. When Smith isn’t handing out dimes, he has displayed the ability to score on the interior as well as in the mid-range. Just when a defender thinks he has Smith’s interior game figured out, he reaches into his bag, and bang, Smith drains a spot up three.
Coach Dolan says: Excellent passing big. Looking forward to seeing his game continue to develop after getting some minutes on varsity last year.
Casey Traina Casey Traina 6'3" | CG Germantown Academy | 2022 State PA – 6’3” / Junior / Wing: With his shoot-first approach, Traina is a true scoring wing (12 ppg.) who is ranked among Pennsylvania’s best players in the Class of 2022. Traina is extremely athletic, shoots the three well and can fill the lane in transition. In 2019-20 for GA he drained threes at a very impressive 42% clip. Last winter Traina turned heads on the suburban Philly hoops scene thanks to games of 22 points vs Penn Charter; 19 points vs Carver E&S (PA); and 17 points vs. Pennington Prep (NJ). This past summer Traina ran with the decorated East Coast Power AAU (King of Prussia, PA) and participated in the invite only Check Rock Summer League (Wilmington, DE)..
Coach Dolan says: Great catch and shoot combo guard / wing player who improved as last year went on and as an overall scorer. Dangerous threat in transition. Terrific student and hearing from high academic schools from all levels.
Key Reserves:
Jerry Griffen-Batchler – 5’11” / Senior / Combo Guard: A two sport super athlete (Also stars for GA football team where he is a slot receiver; kick returner & DB.), Griffen-Batchler is a backcourt reserve who brings elite speed, toughness and energy to the Patriots roster. Griffen-Batchler’s speed and quickness make him an absolute pest on defense. Whether it’s on ball or slicing through the passing lanes, his deflections and steals produce easy transition baskets for GA. A developing jump shot should make Griffen-Batchler an improved threat in the half-court offense during the 2021 season.
Coach Dolan says: Provides leadership, understands his role and makes us better. Great football player who will be a scholarship prospect in that sport.
Luke Marvin – 6’0” / Junior / Combo Guard: Marvin is one of those guards who has been blessed with what the kids like to call “in the gym range”. He is a threat to splash home a trey from wherever he catches it. His deep three point shooting abilities are complimented by a high basketball IQ, solid court vision and an unselfish mentality.
Coach Dolan says: Skilled combo guard. Best skill is shooting. Always makes the right play and a willing passer.
Cole Putnam – 6’5” / Junior / Power Forward: In this perimeter oriented era of hoops, every successful high school team needs a “stretch-4” and that’s what GA has in Putnam. A physical, 6’5” prospect, Putnam is comfortable competing in the paint. He can score the ball on post ups, face ups around the block areas and via the offensive glass. Still, opponents would be wise not to sleep on his perimeter skills. Putnam has enough handles to put the ball on the floor and score off the dribble. Plus he has smooth stroke that allows him to be a serious threat from behind the arc.
Coach Dolan says: Hardworking, skilled post presence who is developing into a key contributor. Can step out to three.