Adam's Notebook: 17U NOVA Cavaliers Scrimmage

FAIRFAX, VA -- On Wednesday evening at Fairfax High School, The NOVA Cavaliers had an open scrimmage between their 17U teams. A handful of D3 schools were in the gym to see a good crop of talent. Below is a rundown of our findings from this showcase. <h2>17U NOVA CAVALIERS - LIN</h2> #1 Josh Abtew - Fairfax 2020 Abtew stood out initially as a result of his solid help defense. He was a threat to knock down threes in spot up situations. Abtew played with a high motor and hit both the offensive and defensive glass. His vision was on display in transition. Abtew hit his teammates in stride with timely and accurate passes. #2 Simon Weeren - Riverside 2020 Weeren showcased good vision and playmaking skills. He applied pressure on the ball consistently on the defensive end. Weeren has a good feel for the game. He anticipates passing lanes and can finish with his off hand. We'd like to see Weereen look for contact in the lane instead of shying away because he does a good job getting defenders off balance with his fundamentals. He also needs to tighten up his ball handling a bit more, get a little stronger and more explosive. #3 Ricky Peters - Fairfax 2020 Peters did so many little things that helped his team. He hustled for loose balls, hit the offensive boards, and played stout defense. Peters scored it in transition, where he also demonstrated solid feel as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. #9 Daniel Mbangue - Fairfax 2020 Mbangue is a jumbo playmaker with tremendous feel. He is crafty with the ball, and knows how to use euro steps to beat defenders in transition. Mbangue is very good in the high post, where he can make plays for others or score over top of shot blockers with touch. He denied his man consistently defensively, rebounded in traffic, and made good outlet passes to start the break. One thing Mbangue definitely needs to work on is his ball handling. #11 Drew Rowson - Robinson 2020 Rowson is still just 16 years old, and at 6-foot-2 with long arms he has intriguing physical tools. His on ball defense was solid, and he moved extremely well without the ball. Rowson made smart cuts in half court sets and filled the lanes correctly in transition. His shot was not falling consistently, but his mechanics were solid and his release was quick. #20 Lance Johnson - Freedom-South Riding 2020 Johnson is a big body who knows how to box out and seal his defender inside. He showed that he can spot up and knock down shots from the perimeter, but also score with his back to the basket. Johnson is a vocal presence who was always communicating while on the floor. #21 Chris Miers - Chantilly 2020 Miers is about 6-foot-1 with a 6-foot-5 wing span. He did a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. Miers ran a ball screen and made the play. He shot it well from three in spot up scenarios. Miers used ball fakes and attacked closeouts, but struggled to finish consistently in traffic. Defensively, he was active and applied good pressure on the ball, but was also active and alert in help side. #23 Jack Fricka - West Potomac 2020 Fricka is a big wing who showcased versatility. He played with a high motor and came up with several deflections. Fricka showcased good touch offensively and used floaters in the lane to finish over top of shot blockers. He ran the floor, looking to score in transition, but needs to show that he can finish through contact and use his off hand. #24 Daniel Peterson - Hayfield 2020 Peterson did not have a great start in terms of finding a rhythm, but his effort level remained high throughout the scrimmage. He used his length to rebound effectively out of his area. Peterson hit the offensive boards like a madman. Peterson does have a raw skill set, but nice touch. He uses floaters and can hit a jump hook from the post. We'd like to see Peterson assert himself more consistently moving forward. <h2>17U NOVA CAVALIERS - FORT</h2> #1 Joseph Dagbe - South Lakes 2020 For much of this scrimmage, Dagbe looked like the best player on the floor. He's a quick, scrappy and strong guard who plays solid defense on the ball. Dagbe was explosive in transition. He showcased good body control while seeking contact on his drives. Dagbe exhibited the strength to finish consistently through contact. He has good burst with the ball in his hands and can create space for his shot. Dagbe is also a solid playmaker who gets others involved. #4 Hassen Kurtu - South Lakes 2020 Kurtu is a long-limbed forward who plays with a high motor. He is very raw, but has some potential as a shot blocker, rebounder and an overall effort guy. Some things we'd like to see Kurtu work on are strength, shooting, shot selection, and feel. #7 Christian Lewis - Fairfax 2020 Lewis stood out primarily on the defensive end. He's a quick guard who anticipates well and is an alert help defender. Offensively, he is a lefty who can finish with both hands in traffic. Lewis can knock down spot up threes. He also gave great effort throughout the scrimmage. #14 Ryan Pelczynski - Fairfax 2020 Pelczynski stood out as a spot up shooter. He knows how to move without the ball and is definitely a threat to stretch the floor. #18 Aaron Walker - Fairfax 2020 Walker used his length to block shots and alter others. He also knocked down a couple of threes from spot up situations. #23 Harrison Patel - Madison 2020 Patel is a good passer with some feel. He definitely needs to work on his ball handling. #33 Soren Almquist - Madison 2020 Almquist is a stretch forward who can knock down shots consistently. He showcased a smooth stroke and a quick release. Defensively, he worked hard, demonstrated good lateral quickness, and did a nice job on the boards.