SEPA Spring Grassroots Report: Week 7
[player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] of We R1. This past weekend featured a lmited grassroots schedule. A good number of grassroots teams from the region had off. The squads from southeastern PA that were in action traveled out to the Spooky…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend featured a lmited grassroots schedule. A good number of grassroots teams from the region had off. The squads from southeastern PA that were in action traveled out to the Spooky Nook facility in Manheim, Pennsylvania for The Summit tournament.
Below is a review of several prospects from southeastern PA (and beyond) who impressed with their outstanding play on the grassroots circuit this past weekend.
17U (2023)
Collin Bowman Collin Bowman 6'2" | SF Friends Central School | 2022 State PA – 6’2” / Friends Central / PSB Philly-Ferrick / Combo Guard: A versatile athlete who can score, rebound, and pass, Bowman appears bigger than his listed measurements. He plays a hybrid facilitating / shooting guard style of ball which makes him a difficult match up for opponents. When he plays off the ball, Bowman can shoot the three at a high percentage. On Saturday at The Summit, he posted 16 points (4 threes) vs. Ballamatics (CA). He drained 7 treys across two games on Saturday. In addition to draining triples, Bowman will slash to the hoop for a catch and lay-in.
Kenny Jackson Kenny Jackson 6'3" | PG #23 Nation PA – 6’3” / Academy of New Church / We R1 / Combo Guard: Jackson remains one of the top uncommitted guards in the region. Plain and simple, Jackson is an attacking playmaker. His speed and downhill style make him impossible to stop as a three-level scorer or as a distributor. He is an explosive athlete who is a next level offensive prospect. His defense is impressive as well. He holds offers from Maryland, Penn State, Syracuse, Notre Dame and more.
Tyler Meinel Tyler Meinel 6'5" | SF Central Bucks South | 2023 State PA – 6’5” / CB South / Total Skills (PA) ZXL / Small Forward: Meinel’s silky smooth jump shot grabs your attention right away. His height and length enable him to shoot over most of the opponents who guard him. Meinel owns enough handles that he can maneuver to his spots and then unleash that jumper. But make no mistake, this 6’5” athlete can play on the interior as well. For a big man he is tremendously quick in tight spaces.
Sam Wright – 6’2” / Lower Merion / Philly Pride 302 / Combo Guard: It seems Lower Merion has found a running mate for backcourt star Sam Brown Sam Brown 6'3" | CG Lower Merion | 2023 State PA . In the last two years, Wright has earned a reputation as a smooth “three and D” prospect. However, in last couple of weeks he has displayed a significantly improved ability to attack the rim off the dribble and finish in traffic. His endless motor and high basketball IQ enable him to be a factor in all phases of the game.
16U (2024)
Clyde Fraiser – 5’10” / Middletown (DE) / Philly Pride 302 / Point Guard: Fraiser is a coach on the floor style lead guard who plays with tremendous poise and controls the tempo of every contest. He possesses remarkable basketball instincts. Thus, he knows when to score the rock and when to distribute. Fraiser is also a pick-n-roll maestro. His outstanding play at The Summit led Philly Pride 302 to a 3-1 record.
Ryan Pegg Ryan Pegg 6'0" | SG Malvern Prep | 2024 State PA – 6’3” / Malvern Prep (NJ) / East Coast Power-Danzig / Shooting Guard: Pegg found his scoring touch quickly at The Summit and averaged 15 ppg over the weekend. His primary weapon was a textbook jump shot that he is capable of unleashing from anywhere on the floor. Pegg did show flashes that he can score off the dribble as well. If that aspect of his game continues to develop, he will be a real factor in the Inter-Ac next winter. His length and positioning skills make him a plus rebounder.
Aidan Mondragon – 5’10” / Conwell-Egan / Philly Pride Bucks / Combo Guard: At Spooky Nook Mondragon once again proved that he is an elite perimeter shooter. He drained 5 threes vs. Cap City Scrappers (NY) and then another 3 triples vs. Mid-Atlantic Select. There is no doubt Mondragon can shoot the rock, but his non-stop off ball movement might be his most impressive asset. His ability to space the floor and open passing lanes will be a welcome addition to any college program. Mondragon owns enough handles that he can slide over to the point guard spot for stretches. On defense he is willing to guard for 94 feet.
15U (2025)
Dywane Chess Dywane Chess 5'11" | SG Liberty-transferred | 2025 PA – 6’1” / Liberty / Team Final Red HGSL / Wing: Chess is a quick and extremely athletic prospect who can play above the rim in transition. In the half court Chess is a scoring threat in the paint and on the perimeter. At the other end of the floor, Chess can guard 1 through 4 and provides weakside shot blocking. Chess is also a beast on the defensive glass. His extraordinary play at The Summit (weekend high of 18 points vs. FTF Select) helped Team Final Red 15s to a 2-1 record.
AJ Towsen – 6’1” / Germantown Academy / PSB Philly-Harken / Point Guard: A physical (also plays football) and fast athlete, Towsen is a true point guard. He possesses a next level basketball IQ, excellent court vision and a pass first mentality. Towson plays with poise and composure that is beyond his years. This lead guard excels at drive and kick distribution as well as hitting open cutters with a timely dime. When he scores the ball, Towsen does so by using his elusive dribbles to get into the paint for a lay-in or a floater.