Comp Edge Fall League: Week 5 Standouts

Carey Smith

October 11, 2021 @ 12:01 PM

[caption id="attachment_1305914" align="alignleft" width="180"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Ty-Jones-2022-e1633971375272.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1305914" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Ty-Jones-2022-e1633971375272-205x300.jpg" alt="" width="180" height="263" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1202388" first="Ty" last="Jones"] (C/O 2022) from Upper Merion.[/caption] The fifth weekend of play at the 2021 Competitive Edge High School Fall League featured a full schedule of games which means we got to watch a considerable number of prospects play at an elite level. Below is a review of five prospects who played well during the fifth Saturday of action in the Comp Edge Fall League (King of Prussia, PA).   [player_tooltip player_id="1202388" first="Ty" last="Jones"] – 5’11” / Senior / Upper Merion / East Coast Power-Rap / Point Guard: It was no secret that during the off-season Jones (2020-21 1st Team All-PAC selection) decided to transfer to Rocktop Academy (PA). Well, the do everything point guard had a last second change of heart and decided to stay at Upper Merion. The Vikings staff and fans are thrilled to have him back. Jones excels at every facet of the game and can play a variety of point guard styles. If the coach needs him to be a scoring point, Jones is very capable of getting buckets (10 points in win over Phoenixville). If the game plan is to attack a specific mismatch, Jones is an excellent facilitator for teammates. If you want to run a team out of the gym, Jones will push the pace all night long. Although he is undersized, Jones has an impact on the glass. He also plays a fearless, intense style of ball that spreads throughout the UM players on the floor. Henry Pierce – 6’0” / Sophomore / Radnor / East Coast Power / Small Forward: Pierce has an old school, physical, mid-range element to his game that he uses to aggressively attack the rim off the bounce. Operating from the elbows or top of the key, Pierce (14 pts...unofficially) will use a few dribbles to muscle he way past a defender, absorb contact at the cup and score it. Pierce also excels at diving to the rim for a quick catch and lay-in. Or he can dive, stop at the block, establish post position, and then score on the interior. Unlike most old school cats, Pierce is fast and athletic, so he runs the court extremely well. On occasion he will grab a defensive rebound, get downhill quickly, and go coast to coast. Aidan Sands – 6’3” / Senior / Berks Catholic / L&L Running Rebels / Small Forward: With his height and muscled physique, Sands looks like a small forward, but he plays more like a combo guard which creates matchup issues for opponents. When he is out on the perimeter Sands can drain threes and is continually active without the ball. Additionally, he dabbles as a point-forward distributing to open teammates or using the dribble to drive past a defender and score at the rim. With that skill set opposing bigs have significant trouble guarding Sands. However, if opposing coaches switch a guard onto Sands, he will simply overpower that smaller player to score on the interior as well as feast on the offensive glass. [player_tooltip player_id="1281765" first="Brendan" last="Styer"] – 5’11” / Sophomore / Conestoga / Philly Pride Select / Combo Guard: Styer is coming off a spring/summer with Philly Pride where his skills and production seemed to grow with each passing week. That upward trend has continued this fall as Styer has become a solid contributor for ‘Stoga. When he runs at the lead guard spot, Styer is coach on the floor, mistake free type of backcourt player who will score the ball when the opportunity presents itself. Off the ball, Styer is a legitimate threat from behind the arc. With his smooth shooting mechanics and quick trigger, defenders cannot give him any space. He can also score from the wing by attacking with the dribble drive or by slashing to the cup on a backdoor cut and finish. [player_tooltip player_id="1275992" first="Jaden" last="Workman"] – 6’0” / Senior / Pope John Paul / PSB Philly / Combo Guard: Workman is a prospect we have featured several times since June and that is because this kid is on the come up. On Saturday, his 3-point stroke was solid, and he got to the rim whenever he wanted. Even though Workman (unofficially 12 points) could have scored whenever he wanted in PJP’s lopsided win over Delco Christian, the combo guard played unselfishly and moved the ball to open teammates. Workman’s elusive handles, high basketball IQ and solid court awareness enable him to operate as point guard at times. Defensively, Workman’s quick hands and good lateral movement create deflections and steals that lead to easy buckets for PJP.