Upper Merion at Bishop Shanahan: Standout Prospects

[caption id="attachment_1305914" align="alignleft" width="168"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Ty-Jones-2022-e1633971375272.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1305914" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Ty-Jones-2022-e1633971375272-205x300.jpg" alt="" width="168" height="245" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1202388" first="Ty" last="Jones"] (C/O 2022) from Upper Merion.[/caption] <p>The first round of the PIAA District 1-5A playoffs featured a rematch between Bishop Shanahan (#6 seed; Ches-Mont League) and Upper Merion (#11 seed; Pioneer Athletic Conference). These two teams met back on February 7^th, 2022, in an intense contest that Bishop Shanahan won, 62-56.</p> <p>In the rematch Upper Merion led by three points at halftime. But after a 3^rd quarter push from Shanahan that deficit was cut to a single point to start the 4^th quarter. A back-and-forth final stanza was capped by a nice run from Shanahan in the final two minutes and a chaotic final thirty seconds. In the end, Shanahan hit two clutch free throws to hold off UM for a 41-38 win.</p> <p>Below is a review of the prospects from the Upper Merion at Bishop Shanahan District 1-5A playoff game who impressed.</p> <p><strong><u>Bishop Shanahan</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Zane Domsohn </strong><strong>– 6'1” / Senior / [program_tooltip program_id='2078678' first='East' last='Coast Power'] / Shooting Guard: </strong>The reigning Ches-Mont Basketball Player of the Year, is extremely athletic and instinctive. Plus, he plays with a ridiculous amount of energy. He knocked down a three and created for himself off the dribble. Domsohn's (16 ppg.) high basketball IQ and excellent court vision enable him to distribute out of double teams. He recorded 9 points in this game.</p> <p><strong>Will O'Loughlin </strong><strong>– 6'4” / Senior / [program_tooltip program_id='2078678' first='East' last='Coast Power'] / Wing: </strong>O'Loughlin is a long, versatile, high IQ athlete who can play any position on the court. O'Loughlin (14 points &amp; 7.5 rebounds per game) created serious match-up issues for Upper Merion's zone as he repeatedly sealed off defenders and scored on the interior. When UM switched to man-to-man O'Loughlin constantly beat defenders off the dribble. At times he served as Shanahan's primary ball handler. As a bonus, O'Loughlin was automatic from the charity stripe. He led all scorers with 20 points.</p> <p><strong>Ben Rodner-Tims</strong> <strong>– 5'11” / </strong><strong>Junior / Guard:</strong> Rodner-Tims is a good athlete (Also plays lacrosse.) who can really navigate through traffic on the fast break. Additionally, he knows how to get into a defender's chest so he can finish without getting his shot blocked. Rodner-Tims (5 points in this game) is also a scrappy defender with quick hands.</p> <p><strong>Kevin Scaggs </strong><strong>– 6'3” / </strong><strong>Sophomore / Center: </strong>Scaggs is an interior presence who is a rebounding machine. He runs the floor well for his size. Scaggs (3 points) showed some flashes of offensive abilities, so there is potential for him to be a legitimate inside threat down the road.</p> <p><strong><u>Upper Merion </u></strong><strong><u> </u></strong></p> <p><strong>Zayd Etheridge </strong><strong>– 6'2” / Junior / Combo Guard: </strong>Etheridge (6.6 ppg) is a super athletic player (He also is a high-level quarterback recruit.) who fits Upper Merion's up-tempo style nicely. In the half court he does an impressive job of finding holes in the defense for his jumper which has range beyond the arc. He can also get to the rim with his dribble. Still the most impressive element of his skill set in this game was his work on the offensive glass. He kept numerous UM possessions alive by grabbing offensive boards.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1202388" first="Ty" last="Jones"] </strong><strong>– 5'11” / Senior / [program_tooltip program_id='2078678' first='East' last='Coast Power']-Rap / Point Guard:</strong> The do everything point guard (2020-21 1st Team All-PAC selection) exceled at every facet of this game. He attacked the rim in transition, scored off the dribble against Shanahan's zone, blew past man-to-man defenders and knocked down free throws. He even hit a three ball which is a rarity for this mid-range to the rim scoring guard prospect. Jones (12.3 ppg) plays with pace and a fearless nature. He hit for 8 points in the 1st half and finished with 15 points overall.</p> <p><strong>Khalil Lawson </strong><strong>– 6'3” / Senior / Small Forward:</strong> A long, incredibly wiry athlete with quick feet and superb anticipation skills, Lawson (11.5 ppg.) dominated this contest from the defensive end via shot blocking, steals and drawing charges. On offense Lawson (15 points tonight) thrived in transition and splashed home two spot-up triples.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1116047" first="Madison" last="Tatom"] </strong><strong>– 5'11” / Junior / PSB Philly / Shooting Guard:</strong> Tatom is a highly ranked combo guard (1st Team All-PAC in 2020-21) who has struggled all year because of injuries. Tatom (8.2 ppg) is an outstanding catch and shoot three-point specialist, but he could not find the range against Shanahan. Thus, Tatom relied on his elusive dribbles to score a couple of buckets (4 points). Once he is fully healthy, we expect Tatom to return to his elite form. </p>