Ches-Mont League Preview: 2021-22 POY Watch List

[caption id="attachment_1342512" align="alignleft" width="282"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_8988-crop-2417x1587-1638901597.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1342512 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/IMG_8988-crop-2417x1587-1638901597-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="282" height="185" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1116019" first="Dylan" last="Blair"] (#3 in blue) from Downingtown West. Photo: Post and Pivot[/caption] Below is a preview of six players (Presented in alphabetical order.) we consider the front runners to win the 2021-22 Ches-Mont League Player of the Year award. [player_tooltip player_id="1116019" first="Dylan" last="Blair"] – 5’10” / Junior / Downingtown West / Philly Pride National / Point Guard: This electric guard has quickly become one of the most decorated prospects in southeastern Pennsylvania. During the 2020-21 season Blair averaged 18 points per game to go along with 5 assists. His nearly complete skill set earned Blair 1st Team All Ches-Mont League and 1st Team All-Area selections. Blair’s phenomenal shooting, passing and dribbling skills are complimented by a high basketball IQ and a relentless motor. After crushing it on the grassroots scene with Philly Pride this past summer, we expect a monster high school season from Blair here in 2021-22. [player_tooltip player_id="1119107" first="Jaeden" last="Brickus"] – 6’2” / Senior / Coatesville / We R1 / Shooting Guard: The 2020-21 season was Brickus first as the No. 1 scoring option at Coatesville. After a brief adjustment period, this shooting guard with textbook mechanics and deep range, posted a fantastic season (HM All-Area selection). Brickus can hit shots from well behind the arc at a high rate and he possesses a quick trigger. So, once he comes over half-court, defenders should guard him tightly. Brickus can also get out on the break to fill a lane, receive a pass at top speed, elevate, and then finish by hammering a dunk on an opponents’ head. Towards the end of the 2020-21 season Brickus posted games of 19 points; 17 points and 22 points. This past summer Brickus was a major contributor for his We R1 grassroots squad as he averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Zane Domsohn – 6’1” / Senior / Bishop Shanahan / East Coast Power / Shooting Guard: In addition to owning the title of reigning Ches-Mont Basketball Player of the Year, Domsohn is an all-state level soccer player (scored 42 goals this fall) and the punter / kicker for the Shanahan football team. When he is done kicking things in the fall, Domsohn (17.2 ppg., 3.1 rpg., and 2.8 apg.) spends the winter knocking down 3PAs at an extremely respectable rate. Domsohn (2nd team All-Area in 2020-21) can also create for himself off the dribble, especially after a convincing shot fake. A high basketball IQ and excellent court vision enable Domsohn to distribute the ball when double teamed. Last winter he notched 24 points (4 threes) vs. WC-Rustin. At the Hoop Group Warm Up event back in July, Domsohn exploded for 35 points on 6 for 7 shooting from behind the arc. He averaged 24.6 ppg. across three contests at that event. [player_tooltip player_id="1119134" first="Jack" last="Kushner"] – 6’0” / Junior / West Chester East / Philly Pride Gold / Combo Guard: 2021-22 will be Kushner’s third year in the starting lineup, and we believe this versatile athlete (also plays football) is ready for a breakout season. In the past Kushner scored his points via his watery jump shot as well as by using his 36-inch vertical leap to grab offensive rebounds and convert them into points. Those skills carried Kushner (8 ppg. & 8 rpg.) to a 2nd Team All-Area selection after the 2020-21 season. Then this past summer, Kushner unleashed his vastly improved handles on opponents. This added an intriguing dribble-drive element to his game. On the grassroots scene he fearlessly attacked the rim off the bounce, using the before mentioned hops to finish over defenders. Now that Kushner can score the ball at all three levels, we expect performances like last season’s 18-point outburst vs. Downingtown West to be a regular occurrence and for him to receive consideration for Ches-Mont POY. Will O’Loughlin – 6’4” / Senior / Bishop Shanahan / East Coast Power / Wing: O’Loughlin is a long and versatile athlete (also plays football) who can play any position on the court which creates serious match-up issues for Shanahan’s opponents. O’Loughlin is too tall for most guards to defend. Meanwhile his quickness as well as his ability to shoot from the outside make it impossible to assign a big man to cover O’Loughlin. A returning starter, in 2020-21 O’Loughlin averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He shot 53% overall from the field and 37% on threes. O’Loughlin also possesses solid handles, a basketball IQ beyond his age, a team first approach to the game and is a leader on the floor. O’Loughlin is a under the radar prospect to keep an eye on this winter. [player_tooltip player_id="1279644" first="Jake" last="Warren"] – 6’10” / Junior / Downingtown West / Philly Pride National / Power Forward: Warren’s level of play took a major step forward on the 2021 summer circuit and he now defines the modern day “stretch-4” prospect. He is extremely athletic, runs the floor swiftly and will flush with either hand. Warren can score with his back to the basket, in the mid-range or from three-point line. Warren is also a very skilled passer who sees the entire court. At the defensive Warren is a tenacious defender / rim protector who plays with tons of energy. In 2020-21 he scored a season high 23 points vs. WC Henderson. His 13 points and 14 rebounds double-double against Coatesville was another noteworthy performance from last season. Warren recently took an unofficial visit to Saint Joe’s.