Big Apple Title Hopes

We look at 7 teams from 4 different leagues. The private school league on Long Island, upstate and Nschsaa. These schools, all with sights set on cutting down the nets in their respective league. Holy Trinity NSCHSSA The Titans have three guys who each bring something different to the court. [player_tooltip player_id="1047344" first="Manu" last="Alford"] is an athletic scoring wing. R J Neysmith is a strong player going to the rim. Both have good size. Manu is long and R J has broad bulky shoulders. The inside will be manned by Izaiah Shaw Glen a skilled player who can play inside out. Chaminade NSCHSAA Always has a good shooting team. This season will be more of the same. But they will also have some guys who can do damage inside. Deepuk Edmunds is a player with the ability to stick the mid range jumper or drive it hard to the rim. Greg Cantwell knows what it takes to compete on the the floor. He has a basketball family tree. Very good shooter who uses his length and athletic ability. Mac Kelly is extremely athletic. He moves well without the ball. Defensively he uses his strength and his strong frame to guard. David Debusshere the grandson of the former New York Knick could be the best shooter on the Island from three. He already has multiple games of five threes in a game. St John the Baptist NSCHSAA This could be the year for the Cougar program to get back into the Catholic school championship conversation. Big man [player_tooltip player_id="1204335" first="Ryan" last="Williams"] coming off of a impressive performance in the L I Alzheimer’s classic. Yes he can flush the ball with authority but what impresses me and college coaches is his ability to shoot the three. He is a force inside altering shots or scoring the ball. But he can drain threes and stretch the floor. Ryan is a must watch player in this league this year. Jacob Brandly can flat out score the ball. He can stick the jumper consistently off the bounce. Mike Welton is a basketball player. He knows how to play the game. Excellent shooter and rebounder. Solid in all areas. Fundamentally sound. Clinton Efinda will be the defensive stopper in the middle. Outstanding rebounder. Very capable scorer inside 12 feet. Can put the ball on the floor and score it. Roddy Jones really good spot up shooter. Will be a major piece in the rotation. St Anthony NSCHSAA Has 2 players that compete as hard defensively has they do on the offensive end. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt understands the importance of changing speed and direction with the dribble. He can then turn on the afterburner and finish inside. Dakari Thomas leads by example guarding the ball, Has fast hands, great vision and can score in a variety of ways off the break. Portledge Private The small private school is big on talent. They have a top scoring guard in Zaire Baines he is a prolific scoring guard. He has had 6 games with 50+ points in his career. Has unlimited range and uses his body to protect the ball and get to the rim. Zaire has a heart of a lion. Has incredible chase down speed. I have seen him many times chase down players after a Portledge missed shot or turnover. Anthony Follett is a crafty lefty guard who drains threes. Also gets to the rim and finishes with his lanky frame. Aazayah Ross outstanding defender can jump out of the gym. He is a stat sheet stuffer. Uses his lanky frame to defend bigger players. Brandon Torres a 6”4 freshman very good at getting to the rim off the bounce. For a young player he is very good in pick and roll or pop sets. Excellent mid range game. Has a good frame which helps him in securing extra possessions for his team.   Long Island Lutheran Private Long Island Lutheran is not only a leading contender for a state championship but they are a national power. They have at least six players with D1 offers. I have done many reports on them as well has a team in focus report for you to check out. They have multi talented high skill set guys. [player_tooltip player_id="1045796" first="Jayden" last="Reid"] and [player_tooltip player_id="787655" first="Jayden" last="Pierre"] are two of the best guards in the state. Both are elite ball handlers, who can break down a defense on their own. Passing, ball handling and explosive first steps make them special talents. They have two big guys with different skill sets. [player_tooltip player_id="1141999" first="Jaxon" last="Koroll"] is a extremely strong physical player. He patrols the paint. Tenacious rebounder. Finely Sheridan is a big long foward. Has incredible deep range. A fluid fundamentally sound perimeter shooter. Very athletic getting to the rim. Sneaky quick. Adding to this mix of talents are two transfers James Johns a talented vocal player. Exceptional in transition. Flushes it in traffic or can drain the jumper. Louis Hutchinson is long athletic and really smooth player. Like the Iceman George Gervin he just looks natural on the court. Liverpool. Section 3 Andreo Ashe could be the top player upstate. An all state team selection should also be by his name at seasons end. Has an elite mid range game. Tough inside, catches the ball in traffic and finishes.[player_tooltip player_id="1204329" first="Jacob" last="Works"] does what his name suggests he works on both ends on the court. Tenacious offensive rebounder. Runs the floor well after he starts the break he can also get up the floor and finish it. [player_tooltip player_id="1203968" first="Bruce" last="Wingate"] elite athlete. Displays toughness guarding the ball and also scoring on the drive. Jah’Deuir Reese guards the ball really well at the top. He is a point guard who can score but knows the importance of the position. Jaiden Reynolds is probably their best shooter from three. Has a quick first step, excellent court vision and a good handle. Liverpool will not only be a threat this years but for the next few years. [player_tooltip player_id="1204329" first="Jacob" last="Works"] is their only senior.