Week 14 SEPA Scouting: 6 Prospects Who Impressed

[caption id="attachment_1282557" align="alignleft" width="189"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jackson-Hicke-2023-II-e1631627391154.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1282557" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jackson-Hicke-2023-II-e1631627391154-268x300.jpg" alt="" width="189" height="212" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"] (C/O 2023) from Radnor.[/caption] <p>In this week’s installment of <em>“Prospects Who Impressed”</em> you will notice that several of the big-name prospects in southeastern Pennsylvania thrived in the bright spotlight of the PIAA state tournament.</p> <p>Below is a review of six prospects we saw in-person or via online streams in the last week who impressed us with their extraordinary level of play in the PIAA state tournament. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"] </strong><strong>– 6’4” / Junior / Radnor / Prim3 Tim3 / Shooting Guard: </strong>Radnor faced its toughest competition of the year during the post season and Hicke rose to the occasion. The smooth shooting 2023 prospect did more than hold his own against two of the premier defensive teams in the region. Hicke scored 21 points and 5 rebounds in District 1-5A championship game against Chester’s swarming full court press. He then tallied a ridiculous double-double of 38 points (4 threes) and 13 rebounds in a win over Susquehannock in the 1st Round of the 5A state tournament. Finally, Hicke managed to post 18 points (2 threes) as well as 4 rebounds in Radnor’s season ending state tourney loss to nationally ranked Imhotep and their smothering defense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991425" first="Moses" last="Hipps"] </strong><strong>– 6’4” / Sophomore / Archbishop Carroll / Team Final EYBL / Point Guard: </strong>Over the first two rounds of the 4A tournament Hipps further boosted his reputation as one of the elite 3-point shooters in that state. However, the elusive point guard also exceled in transition and facilitated for others during his recent stretch of amazing play. Hipps scored 31 points (4 threes) in Carroll’s 1^st Round win over Berks Catholic. Then he posted another 31 points (6 threes) as Carroll defeated Athens Area in the 2^nd Round.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1190330" first="Pearse" last="McGuinn"] </strong><strong>– 6’6” / Sophomore / Cardinal O’Hara / K-Low Elite / Point Guard: </strong>McGuinn’s ability to splash threes over defenders is well documented, but it was his work from mid-range to the rim that produced two double-doubles in O’Hara’s 4A state tourney games. In the 1^st Round against Wilson Area, McGuinn stuffed the state sheet with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks. He followed up that extraordinary performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a round two loss to Dallas. Across the two games McGuinn shot a combined 60% from the field.</p> [caption id="attachment_1191679" align="alignleft" width="230"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/0.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1191679" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/0-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="230" height="172" /></a> Dan Skillings (C/O 2022) from Roman Catholic.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"] </strong><strong>– 6’5” / Senior / Roman Catholic / Philly Pride National / Wing: </strong>There is not much left to write about the 2021-22 Philadelphia Catholic League POY who is committed to Cincinnati. For this elite scoring machine, a 6A state title would be a fitting end to a decorated high school basketball career. Prior to states Skillings recorded a double-double -- 28 points and 11 rebounds -- in the District 12-6A championship game win over Abraham Lincoln. Then Skillings opened 6A state tournament play by posting another double-double -- 19 points (3-4 on threes) and 13 rebounds – as Roman defeated Haverford HS. In second round action Skillings registered 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals against Central Dauphin. That game was also a win for Roman.</p> <p><strong>Nasir Washington </strong><strong>– 6’3” / Junior / West Philly / SK Elite / Combo Guard: </strong>Washington can score at all three levels, but it is his ability to get buckets in clutch time that has been extremely impressive during the state tournament. In the 1^st round, the Speedboys upset Allentown Central Catholic, the defending 4A state champions. During that victory Washington netted 10 of his 17 total points (2 threes) in the 4th quarter. Washington’s 27 points (4 threes) in West Philly’s second round win over Trinity included five straight points in the final minute of the game. That scoring burst sealed the win for West Philly. Washington is an extraordinary athlete, who in addition to hitting threes can finish with authority.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1187903" first="Kyree" last="Womack"] </strong><strong>– 5’9” / Sophomore / Chester / We R1 / Point Guard: </strong>Womack’s well rounded skill set presents an interesting dilemma for Chester’s opponents. If coaches chose to sag off Womack, they better pray his perimeter jump shot if off that night. If they decide to play him tight, their team’s help defense better be on its toes that game. Of late it does not seem to matter how opposing coaches attempt to defend Womack -- he still gets buckets. Included in his recent stretch of outstanding play was 20 points as well as a half-court buzzer beater to force OT in District 1-5A championship game. Chester eventually won that District championship game by a single point. Next, Womack contributed 15 points to the Clippers opening round 5A state tourney win over Exeter. Then Womack was Chester’s leading scorer (13 points) in the Clippers 2^nd Round upset of 5A powerhouse Archbishop Ryan.</p>