Inter-Ac Preview: 2021-22 POY Watch List

[caption id="attachment_1306932" align="alignleft" width="257"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Alassane-Amadou-2023-crop-676x444-1628533888-crop-470x309-1634060630.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1306932" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Alassane-Amadou-2023-crop-676x444-1628533888-crop-470x309-1634060630-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="257" height="169" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1188210" first="Alassane" last="Amadou"] of SCH Academy & Philly Pride National. Photo: Philly Pride[/caption] The 2021-22 Inter-Ac season will mark a changing of the guards (no pun intended) of sorts. Two-time Inter-Ac Player of the Year Jordan Longino has moved onto Villanova and nationally ranked Haverford superstar [player_tooltip player_id="991188" first="Jameel" last="Brown"] (Class of 2022) transferred to the Westtown School. Thus, the 2021-22 Inter-Ac POY race is now a wide-open contest. Below is a preview of five players (Presented in alphabetical order.) who we consider the front runners to win the 2021-22 Inter-Ac Player of the Year award. [player_tooltip player_id="1188210" first="Alassane" last="Amadou"] – 6’9” / Junior / SCH Academy / Philly Pride National UAA / Small Forward: One could argue that Amadou is the prospect (regardless of class) who posted the biggest breakout on the 2021 spring / summer grassroots circuit. Last winter Amadou was an athletic, high-energy reserve (4 ppg. & 4 rpg.; 44% on FGA) on a deep Bishop McDevitt roster. He showed enough during the 2020-21 season that he received offers from a couple Big 5 schools. After McDevitt closed its doors last spring, Amadou transferred to SCHA and reclassed into the 2023 grad year. Then in July 2021, thanks to improved perimeter shooting and a new fearless style of attacking play, Amadou simply went off. This wiry and long prospect showed repeatedly that he can score in bunches via the three ball three or scoring off the bounce. At the UAA Finals in Indiana, Amadou posted a ridiculous near triple-double against Texas Impact -- 15 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks. During July he led the UAA circuit in rebounds (12 rpg.) and blocks (3 bpg.). Maryland, VCU, Cincy, Miami and Marquette recently joined the parade of offers for Amadou. The growth is his game has been ridiculous and we anticipate that trend will continue as the 2021-22 season moves along. Thus, we really like his chances of being named Inter-Ac POY after this season. [player_tooltip player_id="991383" first="Mark" last="Butler"] – 6’0” / Junior / Penn Charter / Philly Pride National UAA / Combo Guard: Butler has been a member of the varsity squad since he was in eighth grade, but 2021-22 tips off his turn in the spotlight at Penn Charter. Based on the elevated level of play we witnessed out of Butler this summer, he appears ready for prime time. Butler has always been an elite ball handling guard who played a high motor, attacking style of basketball. That style of play led to frequent scoring opportunities at the rim. When those drives through the lane also produced foul calls, Butler (15 ppg. for PC in 2020-21) stepped to the free throw line and calmly knocked down his shots. Then this summer Butler displayed a much-improved jumper with range out to three-point land. The addition of a smooth jump shot has taken Butler’s game to another level. This summer/fall Butler also added muscle to his frame, so he should be able to absorb the physical grind of playing as PC’s number one option. Still, Butler can do more than score the ball. On the rare occasion where the defense cuts off Butler, he is savvy enough to kick the ball to an open three-point shooter or drop a dime to a teammate cutting to the basket. Butler is hearing from a slew of DI schools and already holds an offer from George Washington. We believe in 2021-22 Butler can produce a POY caliber season and when that happens, more offers will come pouring in. [caption id="attachment_1151492" align="alignleft" width="181"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Jake-Hsu-2022-pic-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1151492" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Jake-Hsu-2022-pic-2-228x300.jpg" alt="" width="181" height="238" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991323" first="Jake" last="Hsu"] from Germantown Academy. Photo: GA Athletics[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="991323" first="Jake" last="Hsu"]– 6’0” / Senior / Germantown Academy / NY Rens / Combo Guard: A two sport star for Germantown Academy (Plays WR on football team too.), scouts have labeled Hsu as a “freak athlete”. The 2021-22 season will be this combo-guard’s third season in the starting lineup, but his first without Jordan Longino (2x Inter-Ac & 2x PIAA State POY). With Longino now at Villanova, Hsu will become the focus of GA’s offense. When he is running the point, Hsu can get into the paint whenever he wants for buckets. However, Hsu always remains under control and owns great court vision (3 apg.). So, when he runs into trouble on his way to the rim, Hsu can easily kick out to an open teammate on the perimeter. In 2020-21 Hsu showed he can also score the ball when the Patriots need it. In the Covid shortened season Hsu averaged 12.8 points per contest, shot 44% from the field and 38% from three. A do-everything player for GA, Hsu also grabbed 4.8 rpg. Hsu is hearing from Ivy and other elite academic schools. With his scoring opportunities increasing significantly in 2021-22, we expect Hsu’s stats will skyrocket and make for a season that is potentially POY worthy. [player_tooltip player_id="1188249" first="Kevin" last="McCarthy"] – 6’4” / Sophomore / Episcopal Academy / Philly Pride Gold / Wing: During the 2020-21 season a string of injuries hit EA’s roster and McCarthy was thrust into the starting lineup. It appears the Churchmen have found their next star player. McCarthy (11.8 ppg & 3 rpg last winter) used the momentum from his EA season as a springboard for a tremendous spring/summer circuit. In June he averaged 24 ppg at the Big Shots/Philly Pride Tournament. During the July live period he was good for 20+ ppg. at the Spook Nook Jam Fest. In short, McCarthy is a walking bucket. With his pure shooting mechanics, quick release and deep range, McCarthy is lethal threat from behind the arc. His solid handles and ability to finish through contact with either hand make McCarthy an effective scoring threat off the dribble as well. A hard-nosed player with excellent court vision, an unselfish mind set and instinctive leadership skills, McCarthy can also run as a point guard if needed. This versatile prospect absolutely has DI potential and is a dark horse candidate for Inter-Ac POY honors. [player_tooltip player_id="991421" first="Ryan" last="Williams"] – 6’1” / Sophomore / Malvern Prep / Philly Pride National UAA / Point Guard: With a new head coach and the graduation of star players Rahdir Hicks and Fran Oschell, hoop heads are calling this a rebuilding year for MP. Well, one of the quickest ways to rebuild a program is through a phenomenal scoring point guard and that is what the Friars have in Williams. Williams is an exceptional floor general who was electric during the July grassroots circuit. His filthy handles and exceptional ability to score at all 3-levels really turned college coaches’ heads. Williams owns a ridiculously quick first step which allows him to get into the paint whenever he wants for a floater or all the way to the tin for a bucket. His creative dribble-drive game puts defenders constantly on their heels, creating the space Williams needs to splash home jumpers from any spot on the floor. In addition to this list of scoring skills, Williams is a disciplined, high IQ lead guard who sees the entire floor and will distribute to open teammates. Williams recently picked up and offer from Temple. In 2021-22 Williams is a long shot for Inter-Ac POY, but his potential is unlimited. So, we bet if Williams does not bring home the POY hardware this year, he will do so before he graduates. Prep Hoops is going to continue to give you the best in-season content, so watch out for more as the 2021-22 Pennsylvania high school boys’ basketball season tips off.