Staten Island Complete Rankings: #42-#36
The coronavirus shutdown has allowed us to focus more on what happened during the high school season, and also allows us to write more comprehensive coverage on more players. One area that doesn’t usually get much attention is Staten Island,…
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Continue ReadingThe coronavirus shutdown has allowed us to focus more on what happened during the high school season, and also allows us to write more comprehensive coverage on more players. One area that doesn’t usually get much attention is Staten Island, the smallest borough. Don’t let its size fool you, as it still exports its fair share of college basketball players. Here is the first installment on Prep Hoops’s comprehensive Staten Island Rankings, ranking players 42-36 on our top 42 board.
42. Messiah Ingleton | Freshman | Curtis(JV)
Messiah Ingleton is only a freshman, but in junior varsity this season for Curtis he has exceeded expectations. Ingleton has shown all the necessary skills that one needs to succeed in varsity and beyond. The guard contains a burst of speed to start fastbreaks after a rebound, as well as the necessary court vision and playmaking to lead the offense. Ingleton can also shoot from the dribble, and from deep too. His young age leaves him a lot of time to develop after his first year in high school.
41. Cincere Smith | Sophomore | Mckee/Staten Island Tech(JV)
In JV this season for Mckee/Staten Island Tech, Cincere Smith proved to be an elite big man. On defense, the paint truly belonged to Smith, as he showed he was strong enough to hold his own against bigger forwards while educated enough not to get fooled by the flashy moves of quicker guards. On offense, Smith was an elite rim runner, opening up the floor for his team with his screen assists while making him a force down low with strong post moves and rebounding.
40. Reginald Rothwell | Sophomore | Tottenville(JV)
Reginald Rothwell has been one of the premier scoring guards on Staten Island this season. Rothwell has shown he has the ability to command the offense and take control of the floor, with him having the skill of penetrating the defense and drawing contact against bigger defenders. Rothwell is tenacious on the smaller guards on defense, using his quick hands and feet to force turnovers which he can easily convert into points.
39. Justin Nazon | Sophomore | Wagner(JV)
Justin Nazon has shown a tremendous amount of skill this season as an off-ball point guard. Nazon can use his speed to get defenders lost in traffic while Nazon speeds around the offensive end for an open shot. Nazon has been shooting at a remarkable clip all season, even with defenders smothering him all season. On defense, Nazon can both use his size to guard larger players and his speed against smaller players.
38. Louis Aldorasi | Junior | St. Joseph by the Sea(Varsity)
The guard out of St. Joseph has been an elite 3 and D player all season. Aldorasi is able to stop guards from penetrating and force up a shot, which he disrupts and rarely lets it score. On offense, Aldorasi is able to shoot from anywhere in the arc as well as take the offense into his own hands, running the offense himself. Aldorasi has shown tremendous improvement all season, and his junior to senior transition should be no exception.
37. Angel Mejia | Sophomore | New Dorp(JV)
Angel Mejia has been a rock for New Dorp all season, shoring up the bulk of the scoring. Mejia uses his speed and handles to open up the defense and easily come in for a bucket. When he isn’t attacking, it’s usually because the wholes he opened up on defense have left his teammates open for the shot. Mejia is an elite defender at the rim too, making most of the offenders leave without a bucket.
36. Jack Lotito | Junior | St. Peters(Varsity)
Jack Lotito’s value to the team comes on defense. Lotito has the size and the speed to guard all positions, from the biggest, strongest guy, to the quickest, smallest guy. Lotito’s stellar footwork and quick hands is able to force key turnovers on defense, which he takes and scores easily. Assuming a big offensive boost next season, Lotito is in for a big season.