Grail Sports Summer Shootout: Team Recap Part 2
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Teams from Philly and Delaware battled it out at the Sports Complex in Wilmington. Here’s how a few teams performed as they closeout the summer. Archbishop Carroll The Patriots started to gel over the weekend as they solidify their core…
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Continue ReadingTeams from Philly and Delaware battled it out at the Sports Complex in Wilmington. Here’s how a few teams performed as they closeout the summer.
Archbishop Carroll
The Patriots started to gel over the weekend as they solidify their core group of guys. Moses Hipps Moses Hipps 6'4" | SG AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State AZ (6’3 G 2024) is transitioning from a volume shooter to more of a playmaker, showing strides in his ability to facilitate. But he still made sure to cash in triples when Carroll needed a bucket. Shawnn Smith (6’2 G 2022) brought a steady hand to the team on both ends by making good decisions on-ball, driving to the rim, and draw fouls. After a stellar showing at the Underclassmen Exposure Camp, Jake West Jake West 6'1" | PG William Penn Charter | 2025 State #193 Nation PA (5’10 G 2025) followed up with more of the same. He provided secondary ball-handling and forced defensive rotations, opening up clean looks for his teammates. Other Contributor: Sal Monastero (6’4 G 2022)
Archbishop Ryan
Luke Boyd Luke Boyd CG Archbishop Ryan | 2022 State PA (6’2 G 2022), now a focal point in the offense, game AR some needed firepower over the weekend. He shot a wider variety and high volume of threes, mostly off the catch. Jalen Snead Jalen Snead SG Archbishop Ryan | 2022 State PA (6’2 G 2022) showed more wiggle with his handle. That improved skill is locking his ability as a playmaker. A first year starter, David Wise (6’0 G 2022) was their floor leader on defense, communicating and keeping teammates on the same page. Snead and Wise split the ball-handling duties with Darren Williams Darren Williams 6'4" | SG Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA (6’2 G 2024). Williams got north-and-south as usual but more-so had his step-back jumper on display. Other Contributors: Jaden Murray Jaden Murray 6'7" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA (6’6 2024), Michael Paris (5’11 G 2023) and Thomas Sorber Thomas Sorber 6'9" | C Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State #58 Nation PA (6’9 C 2024).
Howard (DE)
For Howard’s three-pronged attacked, De’Mere Hollingsworth (6’1 G 2022) was their primary option who tilts the defense, Rashaan Matthews Jr (5’10 G 2024) set the table for others, and Darius Brown (6’4 F 2022) finished plays. Hollingsworth was like a running back slashing to the lane where he also drew fouls. Matthews Jr is definitely a coach’s son. Despite not being the main ball-handler, he kept the ball moving and made smart, timely decisions with it. Brown did the yeoman’s work like crash the boards and play team defense, but the athleticism that helps him as their small-ball five shows up when he’s air-born. Xavier Richards-Johnson (6’3 G 2023) was another impactful player who splashed a couple treys from NBA range. Coach Matthews’s squad played back-to-back Sunday, so they were gassed in their second game vs Salesianum. Still, they competed until the last buzzard. Other Contributors: Jamal Johnson (G 2024).
West Catholic
Coach Bocachica had to be pleased with how his team’s defense overwhelmed their opponents with length and energy. Spear-headed by Adam Clark (5’9 G 2023) the attack as the only WC starter under 6’5 and he facilitated their offense while picking his spots to score. Kareem Watson Kareem Watson 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2022 State PA (6’6 G 2022) and Kaseem Watson Kaseem Watson 6'6" | CG West Catholic | 2022 State PA (6’6 G 2022) both mucked up passing lanes and scored on the break. Kareem also flashed some advantage creation ability, as Kaseem made shots from deep. Zion Stanford Zion Stanford 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2023 State PA (6’5 W 2023) exploited mismatches by bullying defenders on the block. He used his post-game to get high percentage looks for himself and distribute the ball. Holding the back line was Nasir Griffin Nasir Griffin 6'6" | SF West Catholic | 2022 State PA (6’7 F 2022). When he wasn’t switching on the perimeter players, altering shots and cleaning the glass, Nas was finishing plays around the basket.
Individual Delaware Standouts
Dayon Polk | 6’0 G 2023 Sanford
Polk was the engine for the new look Sanford squad. His aggression at the point-of-attack disrupted opposing ball-handlers, which generated turnovers. Because his hands were so active, teams had to use secondary options to initiate their offenses. He’s a speed merchant, but more importantly, Dayon played at different speeds to keep the defense off-balance and use his hesitation to get passed defenders, before finishing at the rim.
Jaden Rogers | 6’4 G 2023 Middletown
The Caravel transfer facilitated early on versus West Catholic. But when shots weren’t falling, he took matters into his own hands. Rogers deflected passes on defense, leading the break, and knifed through the lane with finesse in the half court. In the Imhotep game, Jaden went head-to-head with Abdullah and took the fight to the Panthers from the tipoff. His skill and craft made him formidable against both Philly teams.
For more high school basketball coverage in the Delaware Valley and Pennsylvania, follow me on twitter @cgraham_sports.