SEPA Spring Grassroots Report: Week #2
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[player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] (C/O 2023) of We R1. This past weekend marked the “official” start of the Spring 2022 grassroots season. The top grassroots teams from southeastern PA traveled to places like Manheim, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; Hampton, VA; and…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend marked the “official” start of the Spring 2022 grassroots season. The top grassroots teams from southeastern PA traveled to places like Manheim, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; Hampton, VA; and Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in spring tournaments featuring extremely competitive fields.
Below is a review of prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who played well on the grassroots circuit this past weekend.
17U (2022 / 2023)
Thomas Haugh – 6’9” / Perkiomen School / We R1 / Wing: Haugh is a “freak” prospect, and we mean that in the best way possible. He is 6’9” but dribbles the rock like a point guard and drains threes like a shooting guard. As a bonus he can score on the interior and clean the glass (at both ends) like a power forward. For his size, Haugh is extremely athletic and has great footwork. Thus, he can score off the dribble or slash to the basket for a catch and lay-in. Haugh already has offers from Quinnipiac, Holy Cross, Boston University, Fairfield, and Marist. After his solid performances this weekend at UAA Session I, Maryland gave Haugh an offer.
Kenny Jackson Kenny Jackson 6'3" | PG #23 Nation PA – 6’3” / Academy of the New Church / We R1 / Combo Guard: Jackson’s fierce, attacking style of play continues to produce big numbers and SportsCenter worthy dunks for this elite backcourt prospect. This weekend at UAA Session I (Indiana) Jackson averaged 18 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as his We R1 squad went 3-1. Jackson’s aggressive brand of basketball combined with his quickness, elusive dribbling skills and length make him a force on the court. Jackson holds over a dozen offers and has taken visits to Maryland, Miami, VCU and St. John’s.
Ethan Pires – 6’6” / Pennington School (NJ) / SK Elite / Wing: Pires is a Delaware native who attends school in New Jersey but plays grassroots ball for a Philly based program. He has connections to the entire region, so we can give him some love on this site. This past weekend at the Big Shots Mid Atlantic Live event (Hampton, VA) this lefty posted a tremendous run of games. Included in that high level stretch of play was a 28-point performance that featured 8 made threes. In addition to hitting triples, Pires proved that he has decent handles and can finish in traffic with either hand. He is an underrated rim protector as well. Pires is a 2022 prospect generating a good deal of interest, but he remains uncommitted.
16U (2024)
Greg Guidinger Greg Guidinger 6'6" | SF Central York | 2024 State PA – 6’6” / Central York / Philly Pride National / Small Forward: Guidinger’s biggest asset is his elite three-point shooting and that showed again this weekend at UAA Session I (Indiana). His “unofficial” stat line was an impressive 12.6 ppg. on 40% shooting from deep. Guidinger recorded a personal tourney high of 22-points (4 threes) in the opener on Friday night. When defenders attempt to run him off the arc, Guidinger’s solid handles allow him to put the ball on the deck and get to the mid-range or the cup. He is solid rebounder and great communicator at both ends of the floor. Guidinger holds an offer from Toledo and after this weekend’s action he received an offer from Robert Morris.
Josh Reed – 6’3” / Archbishop Wood / Philly Revolution / Combo Guard: This past weekend Reed posted several dominating performances and appeared to be one of the top 16U players at the Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest (Manheim, PA). He averaged 17 ppg. as the Revolution racked up a 5-0 record and won their division at last weekend’s Hoop Group event. Reed is a slasher type of backcourt prospect who can score at all three levels. When he penetrates the paint, he is capable of finishing with either hand. A steadily improving jump shot was on display all weekend. Additionally, Reed is a fantastic rebounder for his size and a superb on-ball defender.
Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL – 6’0” / Neumann-Goretti / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: We have been praising Wright’s elite all around skill set for some time now. However, this weekend the HG Spring Jam Fest (Manheim, PA) felt like his national break out tournament. Wright (2022 4A state championship; 2021-22 1st Team All-PCL) exceled in every facet of the game as Team Final EYBL 16U “played up” in the 17U age group and still won their division. Wright registered 16 points in that title game. This weekend he scored the ball from everywhere on the court, distributed to teammates, rebounded, and played menacing defense. In short, Wright was simply electric. He was arguably the best 2023 prospect at the Hoop Group event.
15U (2025)
Bradey Bass – 6’0” / Pope John Paul II / Gibbs Elite / Combo Guard: Bass is an extremely fast and athletic prospect (Also plays football.) who can grab a rebound, get downhill quickly, and go coast to coast. With his speed and good instincts, he can also fill a lane in transition, receive a pass and convert the lay-in. He owns a 3-point shot that must be respected as well. His ability to kiss the ball off the glass from several different angles is noteworthy. In the game we watched, he recorded 19 points vs. Pro Skills DMV Elite.
Carson Kasmer– 5’11” / Lower Merion / Philly Pride Select / Point Guard: Kasmer is a versatile lead guard who facilitated for teammates and scored the ball as well. He displayed a high basketball IQ and great court awareness. Kasmer drained spot up and off the dribble threes too. In fact, at the HG Spring Jam Fest he knocked home 8 triples in one game. At the other end, Kasmer was an intense defender. His efforts at both ends led Philly Pride Select to a 3-0 record.
Robbie Sukaly – 6’3” / North Penn / PSB Philly-Harken / Combo Guard: Sukaly is a knock down three-point shooter who is difficult to guard because he moves well without the ball and has a quick trigger. His pure shooting stroke features textbook mechanics. Still, if an opponent attempts to trail defend Sukaly and chase him of the 3-point line, he will put the ball on the deck and drive to the rim. This past weekend Sukaly and PSB Philly-Harken went 4-0 and won their bracket at the ZG Gold Rush tourney (Boston, MA.). They are now 14-0 on the spring season and have collected trophies at three straight events.