NY SECTION III: 2020-2021 Top Players in the Finger Lakes, Part I
New York basketball has been placed on an absolute halt, with the AAU season still not gaining any traction. However, colleges still do not stop handing out offers, and Section III basketball showcased some of the absolute best players in…
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Continue ReadingNew York basketball has been placed on an absolute halt, with the AAU season still not gaining any traction. However, colleges still do not stop handing out offers, and Section III basketball showcased some of the absolute best players in the state. Looking ahead to next season, expect these players to make waves in the Finger Lakes conference, and hopefully beyond.
Kevin Harp | Junior | Watertown
In his junior season, Kevin Harp has found his way to excel as a combo guard. Harp usually played off the ball, but excelled at it, as he was able to read defenses and find his spot on offense, taking the shot or a drive and executing it with accuracy. As Watertown loses their two star senior guards this season, expect Harp to have a more prominent role next season for Watertown.
Michael Garcia & Michael Allen | Junior | Indian River
For Indian River, this dynamic duo could not have worked out better. The double forwards Allen and Garcia combined to form a “twin-tower” situation in the frontcourt, and their team would receive endless benefits. On offense, it would create a special pick-slip offense, leaving one forward open near the basket. Their speed and athleticism allowed the team to stray from a 3-2 defense, and play styles offenses wouldn’t expect such as a shifted 2-3 and solid man defense. As the senior guards have their exodus, expect these forwards to have an earth-shattering senior performance.
Aiden Zehr | Junior | Lowville
This season, Aiden Zehr has been on a tear from the perimeter, and has a case to be one of the top shooters in New York. Zehr’s quick release and high point is able to create an unguardable shot, while he contains a filthy one-dribble step-through which is able to blow by defenders to a mid-range shot, which is surely a make. In his hurrah season next year, Zehr looks to be in the running for one of the top shooters in the state.
Nate Heller | Junior | General Brown
The guard/forward out of General Brown, Nate Heller has become one of the best players at his position. His size allows him to guard other forwards, but his speed allows him to switch off and effectively guard smaller foes. On offense, his impeccable shooting allows him to space the floor for true bigs on the court, while Heller himself can transition to a true big in a small-ball lineup.
Sam Bush | Junior | Beaver River
Sam Bush has been the rock in the paint that Beaver River needed. Bush has been a tower in defense, seemingly racking up blocks and defensive assists each game while turning away multiple, and allowing offenders to settle for a risky jumper. On offense, Bush has been a terrific rim runner, and easily puts in quick, short baskets, while he is always a threat for a second chance bucket.
Joey Melfi | Junior | Thousand Islands
Joey Melfi contains the ever-valuable skill of impeccable scoring, from near and far with respect to the rim, but Melfi’s largest contributions happen to not be scoring. Melfi is able to run the offense and rack up assist after assist by putting his teammates in the right position to score. Melfi’s speed allows him to run the fastbreak and quickly make defense pay off into offense. His defensive play allows him to consistently pressure opponents and come up with the ball.
Lucas Graves | Junior | Copenhagen
Lucas Graves is classified as a forward, but his play looks like anything but that. He can stuff the box on offense and provide a paint presence on defense, which is expected, but his game continues to expand. Graves can act as a point forward and bring up the ball as well as run the offense himself, while he can take his offense out of the paint and run the mid range as well as the occasional shot from the perimeter.