Eastern Gems: 2021 Pt. 3

<p>As we start to transition into December, basketball would be in full swing in a normal year, with the beginning of a regular season and some scattered grassroots tournaments. However, even in a COVID year which had a very different summer than any player expected, is basketball starting to gain momentum. As we prepare for a possible season, it’s important to get familiar with players who haven’t taken to the court since March at the latest.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048411" first="Christian" last="Dufort"] | Saratoga Springs</strong></p> <p>Shooting, shooting, shooting. [player_tooltip player_id="1048411" first="Christian" last="Dufort"] is able to provide immense value for his team all with the flick of his wrist. What some might see as standing in the corner lazily waiting for a ball, the trained eye sees as a great game, which Dufort executes perfectly. His shot has enough practice to resist a close out, and he only makes sure to be in the corner when he is ready to shoot to avoid cramping by the defense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048624" first="Hayden" last="Day"] | Saratoga Central</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1048624" first="Hayden" last="Day"] has emerged in his junior season as an impressive big man in the paint for Saratoga. Day has been a monster on both backboards, and his tall frame is enough to scare away guards, not to mention his capability for a big, surprise, clutch block. As he heads into senior year, one figures he will produce a season to remember.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048422" first="Matthew" last="Carter"] | Ravena</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1048422" first="Matthew" last="Carter"], like Day, operates in the same way. Carter is tall and can play second chance on offense and stuff the box on defense, along with being able to come onto the upper theater of play and be able to challenge guards before they even enter. His bounce and springy athleticism allow for added speed and versatility and movement for a big, and his future addition of a jumper will only make him more of a headache to play against.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048104" first="Troy" last="Snyder"] | Cohoes</strong></p> <p>Snyder has seemingly done the impossible every game. Where it is an achievement to be an efficient shooter with your toes right on the line, Snyder takes that to the next level and literally goes the distance. Snyder has the confidence and skill to be able to pull up from way out of the three-point line and convert decently, which only allows his team to score in bulk, as well as opening up the floor for his Cohoes teammates who are penetration-heavy.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048083" first="Dylan" last="Gizzi"] | Guilderland</strong></p> <p>People often throw around the word "pure" in basketball, but if it really did mean something, it would be attributed to [player_tooltip player_id="1048083" first="Dylan" last="Gizzi"] out of Guilderland. Gizzi has been relentless on the offensive end as a guard, who can both methodically run the offense and set himself up for easy layups or shots, or to make the pass to a teammate who is sure to cash in, while he can also turn on the burners and speed to the rim, creating an equally-valuable fastbreak opportunity.</p>