West Catholic (Phila., PA) Is Ready to Roll

[caption id="attachment_1075091" align="alignleft" width="215"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Anthony-Finkley-2023-II-2.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1075091 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Anthony-Finkley-2023-II-2-215x300.jpeg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1116024" first="Anthony" last="Finkley"] C/O 2023[/caption] This season West Catholic is looking to build on its first Philadelphia Catholic League playoff appearance in five years and it appears the Burrs are in a great position to accomplish that goal. Head Coach Miguel Bocachica’s 2020-21 roster will feature five of his top scorers from last season and an injection of incredible talent via transfer. Their Covid-19 shortened season finally tips of this Friday night (1/29/21) with a matchup against a revamped Roman Catholic squad which now features high level prospect [player_tooltip player_id="991212" first="Khalil" last="Farmer"]. Below is a glimpse at West Catholic’s 2020-21 roster accompanied by insights on each player from Head Coach Miguel Bocachica.   Returners: [player_tooltip player_id="990958" first="Eric" last="Chamberlain"] – 5’10” / Senior / Point Guard: Last season Chamberlain (formerly of Cardinal O’Hara) posted 10.7 ppg. and led West Catholic is assists (4.4 apg.). Chamberlain is a highly skilled floor general who has all the tools coaches look for in a lead guard. In transition he can finish at the rim or find the open man. In the half court, he can shoot the 3-ball, slash through a defense with the bounce and make a pin point pass to an open cutter or big in the post. At the other end, Chamberlain’s pressure defense creates havoc for opponents which promotes the up tempo style West Catholic wants to play. Coach Bocachica Says: Eric is great in the open floor and loves getting in the lane. Last season was his first full time varsity experience. He grew tremendously as a leader and as a player. Led us to our first PCL playoff berth in 5 seasons. [player_tooltip player_id="1116024" first="Anthony" last="Finkley"] – 6’6” / Sophomore / Point-Forward: “Antman” is an extremely versatile and athletic baller. He owns good handles, excellent court vision / passing skills and can drain the 3-ball. That skill set allows Finkley to excel in a hybrid point-forward role. As a bonus to all these perimeter skills, Finkley is no slouch on the interior. His length and solid footwork allow him to score from either block with ease. Finkley’s stellar play for K-Low Elite from July 2020 through November 2020 has been featured on the site a number of times. Coach Bocachica Says: Anthony is coming off a hot summer where he picked up offers from Saint Josephs & DePaul University while playing for K-Low Elite. We expect more of the same this season as he continues to grow. At 6’6 Anthony is mobile enough to play all 5 positions. [player_tooltip player_id="991210" first="Nasir" last="Griffin"] – 6’7” / Junior / Forward: After catching the PCL by surprise his freshman campaign Griffin became the focal point for most opponents on the scouting report last season (9.1 ppg. in 2019-20). A long and athletic baller with a high basketball IQ, Griffin excels at establishing position and dominating the glass at both ends (6 rpg. in 2019-20). He can score on the interior in a variety of ways and is adept at drawing fouls. Which works out well for the Burrs, because Griffin is cash-money from the free throw line. Lastly, Griffin has shown promise as a rim protector on defense. Plays for Philly Pride AAU in the summer. Coach Bocachica Says: Nasir is a leader by example, a relentless worker. He’s the kid who’s shows up early and leaves late. Expect Nasir to take on a large leadership role & take his next step as a player…Excellent student with a 4.4gpa…Nas currently holds offers from Robert Morris, Stony Brook, Drexel, NJIT & Bryant. He’s heard from UPenn, Columbia and many others in the Ivy & Patriot League. Zion Stanford - 6’5” / Sophomore / Wing: Much like the rest of his West Catholic teammates, Zion is a long, versatile and athletic prospect who can play multiple positions. The do it all wing can fill the lane in transition or push the rock up the floor himself. His jumper has range out to the three where he hits at a high percentage. However, if a defender closes out on Stanford too quickly, he is also very comfortable putting the ball on the floor and getting to his mid-range spots. Coach Bocachica Says: Started all but two games last season for us as a freshman. We expect that experience to go a long way as he continues to develop. Zion recently picked up his first offer from Bryant University. Kareem Watson – 6’5” / West Catholic / Wing: Kareem is a prospect that reminds you of today’s elite wing players that NBA front office types covet. He hits 3’s at a high clip, gets out in transition, guards 1 through 4 and rebounds. Plus Kareem owns enough guard skills to use a head & ball fake drives to the tin. In late August, Kareem was named All-Star Game MVP of the Hoop Group Elite Camp. Kareem came on strong late last season for the Burrs and we expect him to pick up where he left off. On the grassroots circuit Kareem plays for K-Low Elite. Coach Bocachica Says: His first start came vs Devon Prep for a spot in the PCL playoffs & he delivered. That momentum carried over through the summer. He currently holds offers from Robert Morris, Mount St. Mary’s & Bryant. In recent months, was sidelined with a lower leg injury, but he’s back and ready to go. Kaseem Watson – 6’6” / West Catholic / Combo Guard: After a standout performance at both the Hoop Group Elite Camp (Camp MVP) during late July and another at the Philly Pride Mixer in early August, Kaseem (K-Low Elite) has blown up. His ability to score (7.8 ppg. last year) and distribute is something special. This combo allows him to run at the point or shooting guard spot. Kaseem can really shoot it from outside. An elite combo-guard, he had several big games during the period of play from late July through early September. Expect a strong PCL season from Kaseem on both ends of the floor. Coach Bocachica Says: Kaseem has grown from 6’2 to 6’6. Not only has he grown in height but his game continues grown as well. Kaseem is a great leader & competitor, with 4.0 GPA Kaseem. Holds offers from Robert Morris, Bryant, Mount St Mary’s, NJIT & Bryant. Marcus “MJ” Branker – 6’4 / Sophomore / Wing: As a reserve last year, Branker supplied energy, athleticism and defense for West Catholic. In addition to those intangibles that coaches love, Branker has a very nice mid-range game that includes a stop and pop jumper as well as the ability to unleash floaters. A quick first step and solid handles allow Branker to get to that mid-range area or all the way to the rim. Back in October, Branker was a standout at the Pangos All-East Frosh/Soph Camp. Coach Bocachica Says: MJ played a limited role for us last year. This season his role will increase & he’ll be a pivotal piece to our success. He brings great length & athleticism to the basketball floor. He can guard multiple positions. His energy will be key for us as he continues to develop and mature. Transfers: Adam “Budd” Clark – 5’9” / Sophomore / Point Guard: Clark is a transfer from Boys’ Latin Charter where he averaged 11 ppg. and earned a big reputation as an elite defender. During the 2019-20 season he averaged 4 steals per game and posted an astounding 8 thefts in a win over Engineering and Science. The addition of Clark will make an already fierce Burrs defense much tougher to get buckets on for PCL foes. Coach Bocachica Says: He’s really, really good, but I’d rather not comment too much until he’s played an actual game for us.