Academy of the New Church at Westtown: Standout Prospects

[caption id="attachment_1369979" align="alignleft" width="193"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Berger-3.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1369979" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Berger-3-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="193" height="241" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1379563" first="Quin" last="Berger"] (C/O 2023) from Westtown School. Photo: James Quinn (BQPictures.com)[/caption] Last Night the Westtown School hosted Academy of the New Church in a primetime matchup of prep teams loaded with college prospects. Additionally, headed into last night’s game, both squads were undefeated in Friends School League action. In what is likely to be Westtown’s toughest Friends School League game of the season, the Moose defeated ANC -- 77-68. This game was tightly contested throughout and featured several SportsCenter worthy plays. During the victory, one of Westtown’s backcourt prospects went from stock riser to bona-fide superstar. Below is a review of the host of the college prospects who took the court last night for the ANC vs. Westtown game. Academy of the New Church: Al-Amin Ajibade – 6’4” / Junior / Team Me7o EYBL / Wing: Ajibade is an interesting prospect to keep an eye on for the long haul. This slasher style wing is an extremely athletic player with a long wingspan. He owns serviceable handles and has a solid feel for the game. On defense, he is quick to knife through a passing lane for a steal. Holds an offer from Monmouth. Gabe Harris – 6’8” / Senior / We R1 / Power Forward: The class of 2022 stock riser is a nice interior presence for ANC. Harris (10.7 ppg. and 8.2 rpg.; 58% on FGAs) added significant muscle this past summer/fall and is playing with more intensity. ANC head coach Kevin Givens called Harris “a late bloomer who has unlimited potential.” He scored 12 points in this contest against the elite interior defense of Dereck Lively and company. [player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] – 6’4’ / Junior / We R1 UAA / Point Guard: Think Russell Westbrook (circa 2001 through 2017) with a much better jump shot and that is what a lucky college coach is getting in Jackson (17/6/5 per game). He plays a lightening quick, downhill style of basketball. His jump shot, especially his stop and pop game has improved significantly. He also is now a legitimate three-point threat. Unfortunately for Jackson, Westtown used several gimmick defenses to keep him under wraps in this one – 14 points and 5 dimes. For comparisons sake, earlier this week Jackson recorded -- 28 pts, 8 assists, 7 rebs and 7 steals. He holds over a dozen DI offers. [player_tooltip player_id="991213" first="Anthony" last="McCall"] – 6’4” / Senior / We R1 / Wing: McCall is a true scoring wing who can get buckets in so many ways. Last night the lefty posted 26 points including a half-court bank shot to end the 3rd quarter. His ability to absorb contact and still get a bucket is astonishing to watch. As a bonus to his usually impressive scoring (20 ppg.), this season he is rebounding the ball at a much higher level (9 rpg.). McCall is having a breakout season and shows zero signs of letting up. According to coach Givens, “adding muscle to his frame, a more aggressive style of play and a laser focus on hoops” have been major reasons for McCall’s success this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1382949" first="Isaiah" last="Milien"] – 5’11” / Senior / Pro Level Titans / Combo Guard: Milien is a high percentage three-point shooter with deep range on his jumper (hit 4 threes in this game). When he drilled a triple early in the 4th quarter to cut Westtown’s lead to three points, we thought for a second ANC would rally for the victory. In addition to outstanding perimeter shooting, Milien (14 points) provides ANC with solid point guard play. He is extremely effective in pick-r-roll action. At the other end he is a plus defender. Westtown School: [player_tooltip player_id="991188" first="Jameel" last="Brown"] – 6’4’’ / Senior / Team Final EYBL / Point Guard: Brown (Penn State) continues to impress us with his elite all-around point guard play. Tonight, he quickly realized who had the hot hand for Westtown (more on that in a second) and continued to feed the rock to that player in all the right spots. His composure and ball handling against ANC’s pressure defense was key in this victory. [player_tooltip player_id="1379563" first="Quin" last="Berger"] – 6’2’’ / Senior / NJ Shoreshots / Combo Guard: Just when we thought Berger couldn’t get any hotter (Across four games last week he averaged 20 ppg.) he goes out and drops 39 points on ANC. His recruiting stock is on a meteoric rise this winter. Berger’s high IQ, basketball instincts, versatility, and ability to score at all three levels will have DI schools knocking each other over to sign him. This near-40-spot was a simply amazing performance by Berger. [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"] – 6’10’’ / Senior / Team Final EYBL / Center: The No.1 ranked 2022 prospect in the country has posted numerous double-doubles this season including a 20 and 20 game last week. Lively posted another double-double last night (12 points; 12 rebounds & 4 blocks). He continues to develop range on his jumper and his quick leaping ability is breath taking. The Duke commit is going to make a fantastic NBA player. [player_tooltip player_id="1200771" first="Matt" last="Mayock"] – 6’4” / Junior / East Coast Power-Rap / Combo Guard: Mayock’s reputation as a high-level spot up shooter proceeds him, but he has recently proved he score off the bounce. He was effective in pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop action with Westtown’s primary ball handlers. Seyphon Triplett – 6’1’ / Junior / PSA Cardinals / Combo Guard: Triplett is a scoring point guard cut in the mold of Steph Marbury. His extremely confident, attacking, style of play will make him a tremendous success at the collegiate level. We had seen Triplett (14 points & 5 rebs vs. ANC) finish many fast breaks with authority, but last night he had two put back slams that were poster worthy. We had no idea Triplett had hops on that ridiculous scale. His quickness and efficient jump shot are other facets of his game that college coaches will love. He already holds multiple DI offers and more are sure to pour in soon.