MIAA A Conference Playoffs-Biggest Stock Risers

Yesterday afternoon brought to a close what was one wild week of MIAA A Conference postseason action that included upsets, buzzer-beater finishes and a championship showdown that lived up to the hype. In the end it was Mount St. Joe who reigned victorious in a nail-biting 63-60 win over Mount Carmel. For this article, we’ll focus on the prospects that I caught in the three games who used the postseason stage to help boost their stocks as spring looms closer. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/IMG-7556.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1396643" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/IMG-7556-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1127305" first="Bryson" last="Tucker"] | Mount St. Joe ’24 This list can’t start without the super sophomore that is [player_tooltip player_id="1127305" first="Bryson" last="Tucker"]. The 6-foot-6 floor general led the Gaels to the MIAA crown in impressive fashion. After a stellar outing against Spalding in the semifinal where he posted 29 points and four assists, Tucker led the Gaels once against in the title game with 20 points. The way Tucker operates looks so effortless as he uses his size to get wherever he wants in the mid-range area before fluidly fading away for 12-to-15 foot jumpers in a shot that no one in the league can block. When he sets his mind to attacking the rim, he doesn’t allow the contest of opposing shot-blockers to distort his attempt. Especially in the semifinal game against Spalding where he knocked down six triples, Tucker continues to show steady improvement from deep. [player_tooltip player_id="957018" first="Amani" last="Hansberry"] | Mount St. Joe ’23 Hansberry’s worth was evident throughout the playoff run as indicated by his dominant inside presence at both ends of the floor. Along with Tucker, the 6-foot-7 junior was excellent in the semifinal matchup recording a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds. He followed that up with 15 points in the championship game where he hit the go-ahead basket with seconds remaining. In the second half, Hansberry knocked down two huge three’s following ball screen actions, which is a part of his game that can continue to progress will do wonders for his overall development. He showcased his versatility by leading the break after collecting rebounds, switching onto guards out on the perimeter and holding his own defensively and scoring from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id="1049863" first="Ace" last="Valentine"] | Mount St. Joe ’23 Valentine has filled an important role for the Gaels next to their dynamic duo and in a handful of games, been crucial to their overall success in winning. The 6-foot-3 junior tied Tucker with a team-high 20 points in yesterday’s championship game all while defending 2022 Mount Carmel point guard [player_tooltip player_id="904628" first="Deon" last="Perry"]. Valentine got out in the open floor and finished with regularity, hit momentum changing three’s during second chance opportunities and created space for himself off the dribble inside the arc when his number was called. Defensively he fought over screens and did whatever he could to bother Perry, who is playing at the highest level at his career at the moment. Tyonne Farrell | Mount St. Joe ’24 Farrell asserted himself into the rotation late this season in large part due to missing a majority of the regular season schedule. He’s taken advantage of his opportunities and will be an important piece when the BCL Tournament tips off this Wednesday coming off the bench for head coach Pat Clatchey. At 6-foot-5, Farrell is versatile, a violent shot-blocking presence and one who embraces contact on his finishes around the basket. Farrell will be a name we monitor very closely moving forward. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Deon-Perry-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1362542" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Deon-Perry-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="904628" first="Deon" last="Perry"] | Mount Carmel ’22 As mentioned earlier, the list of players playing at a higher level than Perry right now is short. The Loyola (MD) commit averaged 29.3 points per game throughout MIAA postseason play and did all he could to put his team in a position to win the championship yesterday by leading the way with 25 points. The way that he controls the game from a point guard position is unmatched in this area. He relentlessly attacks his defender in ball-screen or isolation situations and his ability to score from well beyond the three-point line along with his quick-twitch ability off the bounce make him a handful for any defender. It wouldn’t shock if Perry has the Cougars in the BCL title game come next Sunday if he continues to play at this pace. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Christian-Winborne-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1214241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Christian-Winborne-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="777071" first="Christian" last="Winborne"] | Gilman ’22 Winborne led what may go down as the biggest upset this season in the Baltimore area after Gilman came back from a 21-point deficit against the No. 1 ranked St. Frances Panthers to upset them in the quarterfinal matchup. He finished with 24 points in that contest and despite being heavily denied in the semifinal game against Mount Carmel, the St. Joseph’s (PA) commit led his team again with 15 points. Winborne’s competitive edge, dynamic scoring prowess and well-rounded game is what puts him in a position to succeed in the A10 Conference. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Jalen-Marshall.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1362535" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Jalen-Marshall-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="904677" first="Jalen" last="Marshall"] | Gilman ’22 Marshall had an admirable performance in the loss against Mount Carmel as well. He finished with 13 points that included an array of explosive and athletic finishes around the rim, but his intensity is what draws you to him most when watching him. He drew the responsibility of guarding Perry and although Perry was having his way, there was no signs of letting up from Marshall’s body language. Marshall could absolutely help Division III programs at the mid-to-high level. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Fischer-Owen-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1328436" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Fischer-Owen-Head-Shot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1358502" first="Owen" last="Fischer"] | Loyola ’22 I caught Fischer in action in the opening round against Glenelg Country where the Dons went on to win handily. The 6-foot-3 combo guard put together a nice outing that included 16 points at an efficient clip. When I caught up with Fischer afterwards to get a feel for his recruitment, he said that he doesn’t have any programs reaching out consistently and it had me puzzled. Fischer plays with sound fundamentals, has good size for the Division III level and plays with maximum effort at both ends. He could be a quality addition for Division III programs this spring for the coaches who do their homework. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Tre-Green.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1366149" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Tre-Green-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1277444" first="Tre" last="Green"] | Glenelg Country ’22 Green may have had one of the quietest, yet most productive seasons in recent memory. The 6-foot-3 lefty who intends on attending Bridgton Academy next season for a post-grad prep year scored 27 points in the loss to Loyola and was legitimately the only hope the Dragons had. He’s a three-level scorer with good size and wiggle off the bounce. He has good instincts with the ball and how to get into his shot from both three and mid-range. As he plays with more players who are capable shot-makers, I believe his stock will rise even more as he’ll get to showcase his vision as a passer as well.