Inter-Ac: 2021-22 POY Watch List (Updated)
David Kearney (C/O 2022) from Haverford School. Photo: Haverford School Athletics As we mentioned in our preseason Inter-Ac POY Watch List article, the 2021-22 Inter-Ac POY race is a wide-open contest. The five players we previewed in our original Inter-Ac…
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Continue ReadingAs we mentioned in our preseason Inter-Ac POY Watch List article, the 2021-22 Inter-Ac POY race is a wide-open contest.
The five players we previewed in our original Inter-Ac POY post (Presented in alphabetical order below.) all remain strong candidates to win award. However, in the last two months a few other prospects have played outstanding basketball and thrust themselves into the Inter-Ac POY conversation.
Below is a look at the updated 2021-22 Inter-Ac Player of the Year award watch list.
Preseason POY Watch List:
Alassane Amadou Alassane Amadou 6'9" | PF SCH Academy | 2023 State #188 Nation PA – 6’9” / Junior / SCH Academy / Philly Pride National UAA / Small Forward
Mark Butler Mark Butler 5'10" | PG William Penn Charter | 2023 State PA – 6’0” / Junior / Penn Charter / Philly Pride National UAA / Combo Guard
Jake Hsu Jake Hsu 6'0" | PG Germantown Academy | 2022 State PA – 6’0” / Senior / Germantown Academy / NY Rens / Combo Guard
Kevin McCarthy Kevin McCarthy 6'4" | SG Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA – 6’4” / Sophomore / Episcopal Academy / Philly Pride Gold / Wing
Ryan Williams Ryan Williams 6'3" | SG Malvern Prep | 2024 State PA – 6’1” / Sophomore / Malvern Prep / Philly Pride National UAA / Point Guard
Names Added to Updated POY Watch List:
Camden Burns Camden Burns 6'0" | CG SCH Academy | 2024 State PA – 5’11” / Sophomore / SCH Academy / NJ Scholars Elite / Combo Guard: Burns’ reputation as one of the most unstoppable mid-range scorers in the area proceeds him. His ability to dribble-drive with either hand, stop on a dime and then knock down a jumper makes him an extremely unique prospect. However, this season at SCHA, Burns (14 ppg. & 4 rpg.) has displayed a more well-rounded skill set. He has become an excellent 3-point shooter and his ability to distribute the rock has improved as well (3 apg.). Earlier this week, Burns posted 21 points vs. Malvern Prep. In his last four contests he is averaging 16 ppg. So far Head Coach Julian McFadden has been incredibly pleased with Burns’ first year at SCHA saying, “Burns is a player. As a sophomore he is one of the better shooters in the Tristate and an underrated playmaker.”
David Kearney – 6’5” / Senior / Haverford School / East Coast Power / Small Forward: This long and athletic forward has an extensive mid-range bag of tricks. Kearney can also grab a defensive rebound, get downhill in a flash, and take it coast-to-coast. At the other end Kearney is a solid all-around defender and rim protector. He tipped of the season with a 20-points and 16 rebounds double-double (posted 4 blocked shots as well) and recently scored 29 (2 threes) against Episcopal Academy. Currently he is averaging 16.9 points (19 ppg. in Inter-Ac play) and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field. Haverford School Head Coach Bernie Rogers commented, “David is having an outstanding year. He has continued to get better each day.” Coach Rogers noted that Kearney is hearing from D3 school such as Lycoming, Wilkes, Widener and Elizabethtown. He believes Kearney will get attention from more schools shortly.
TJ Lamb – 6’4” / Junior / Episcopal Academy / Chester County Storm / Small Forward: When you watch EA play, Lamb’s extraordinary athleticism really stands out (He also plays football and is committed to Cornell for lacrosse.). He is a quick twitch athlete who is one step ahead of most others on the court. Lamb owns a soft scoring touch which produces an impressive mid-range game. He will knock home an occasional 3-ball as well. Lamb (5.6 rpg.) does exceptional work on the glass for the Churchmen. Earlier this season Lamb recorded 16 points against an incredibly talented Devon Prep squad. He recently posted 20 points on two separate occasions as well as a 19-point game. Lamb is averaging 13.6 ppg. in Inter-Ac play. “TJ is a tremendous athlete who keeps improving throughout the season,” Episcopal Academy Head Coach Brain Shanahan commented. “So as the season progresses, he has continued to gain confidence on the court in using his athleticism and competitiveness to impact the game and its lead to better productivity for him and our team,” Shanahan continued.
Andrew Phillips – 6’3” / Junior / Malvern Prep / 610 City / Wing: In 2020-21 Phillips was a reserve who averaged only 8 points per game. This season the physical (215 lbs.) and extremely athletic (also plays football at MP) prospect has become a starter and a major scoring threat for the Friars. The primary reason for Phillips’s emergence as a legit POY candidate has been an improved jump shot that now has range to the arc. His more aggressive approach to scoring the ball is another reason for his emergence. Phillips is averaging 15.5 points as well as 5.3 rebounds per game. He recently recorded games of 26, 23 and 22 points. In addition to his impressive scoring stats, Phillips is 2nd on team in minutes played and steals. Malvern Prep Head Coach Paul Romanczuk said the following about the emergence of Phillips, “Andrew has a real knack on the offensive end. I believe his versatility is his biggest strength. He can score the ball a variety of ways so he’s a tough matchup for opposing teams.”
Blake Smith – 6’5” / Senior / Germantown Academy / K-Low Elite / Wing: Smith was a starter for GA during the 2020-21 Covid season but blew up in July 2021 after a tremendous scoring weekend at the adidas 3SSB Gold Gauntlet in Alabama. A skilled and versatile wing, Smith (11.8 ppg. in Inter-Ac play) has displayed the ability to score on the interior as well as in the mid-range. Then, just when a defender believes he has adjusted to Smith’s game, bang, Smith hits an open three. Smith’s height, court vision and unselfish nature make him a preeminent passer as well. When asked about Smith’s play so far this season, Germantown Academy Head Coach Matt Dolan said, “Blake has been an integral part of our team as a do-it-all versatile player leading us in almost every statistical category. We are excited to watch him during the second half of the Inter-Ac Season.”