Grassroots Preview: East Coast Power 16U – Danzig
Photo: @CoachRossDanzig Operating out of the Competitive Edge facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, East Coast Power has become one of the better grassroots programs in southeastern Pennsylvania. One of their most successful teams has been their 16U (2024s) squad…
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Continue ReadingOperating out of the Competitive Edge facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, East Coast Power has become one of the better grassroots programs in southeastern Pennsylvania.
One of their most successful teams has been their 16U (2024s) squad led by Head Coach Ross Danzig. During the 2021 spring/summer grassroots circuits ECP-Danzig collected multiple tournament trophies and finished the season ranked No. 6 in our Top 10 15U poll. This year as 16Us, they won their division at their first tournament and sit at No. 5 in our current 16U rankings.
In short, this team is loaded with college prospects. So, a deep dive into this roster is necessary.
Below is a roster breakdown for East Coast Power 16U-Danzig, a group you need to keep an eye on this spring and summer.
Liam Aroshas – 6’2” / Lower Merion / Wing: Aroshas is a “glue guy” who possesses all the intangibles coaches love. However, there is more to his game than just an endless motor, effective communication skills and tenacious defense. Offensively Aroshas owns and respectable jumper. He also excels in pick-n-roll action Additionally, he is a grinder who crashes the offensive glass and capitalizes on second chance opportunities.
Tyler Beaulieu Tyler Beaulieu 6'0" | CG Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA – 6’0” / Episcopal Academy / Combo Guard: What jumps out right away when you watch Beaulieu is his elite athleticism and endless motor. On offense he is a slasher style of prospect who can finish through contact. However, if a defender sags off Beaulieu he will drain jumpers all the way out to the three-point line. Despite all these scoring skills, Beaulieu possess an unselfish mindset, so he frequently drives into the paint, draws the help defense, and then distributes to an open teammate. On defense, Beaulieu’s quick hands and anticipation skills produce steals and deflections.
Kevin Cotton Kevin Cotton 6'4" | SG William Penn Charter | 2024 State PA – 6’3” / Penn Charter / Shooting Guard: In 2021-22 this long, wiry, and athletic shooting guard cracked Penn Charter’s varsity rotation because of his ability to drain treys from all over the court. When he is not splashing threes, Cotton also scores in the half-court via cuts to the basket for catch and lay-ins. Cotton’s solid handles enable him to assist in breaking full-court pressure. He has deceptive foot speed, so he can get out fast break for a bucket or a transition three. His length and nose for the ball make him an effective rebounding guard.
Eric Demyun – 6’2” / Episcopal Academy / Wing: If this prospect grows another two inches or so, he could become a stretch-4 prospect college coaches drool over. Rightw now, Demyun is a lights-out three-point shooter and transition scorer. He can hit threes of all varieties but is especially adept at coming off pick action and use a dribble or two to create space for a shot. A long and fast athlete, Demyun also will finish a fast break by scoring over people. As a bonus, at the other end of the floor Demyun a defensive menace.
Adam Herrenkohl – 6’0” / Lower Merion / Combo Guard: Herrenkohl is a crafty, versatile backcourt player who uses a physical style of play to get to his spots. He handles the rock well enough to run at the point guard spot in half court sets. This 2024 prospect owns a respectable 3-point shot. Herrenkohl can also slash to the basket for a catch and lay-in. Herrenkohl plays with a feisty edge to his game.
Matt McCarthy – 6’0” / Archmere Academy (DE) / Combo Guard: McCarthy’s reputation as an extraordinary 3-point shooter (48% over last 2 seasons) proceeds him. Now that teams are running him off the arc, McCarthy has shown an improved ability to make plays off the dribble for himself and teammates. In the last year he has added significant muscle to his frame which helps McCarthy fight through the excess contact he faces on a nightly basis. In 2021-22 McCarthy hit for 10.6 ppg. and scored a season high 24 points (6 of 10 from three) vs. DelMarva.
Ryan Pegg Ryan Pegg 6'0" | SG Malvern Prep | 2024 State PA – 6’4” / Malvern Prep / Combo Guard: This past season Pegg was a reserve on a Malvern Prep team that lost at the buzzer in the 2nd round of the state tournament to national powerhouse Westtown. Pegg is a long athlete who can splash jumpers from anywhere on the floor. His length, positioning fundamentals and nose for the ball make him an excellent rebounding guard. Pegg’s basketball instincts and court awareness are advanced for a 2024 prospect.
Billy Rayer Billy Rayer 5'10" | PG Haverford Boys | 2024 State PA – 5’10” / Haverford School / Point Guard: Rayer played superb basketball on the fall grassroots circuit, and he used that momentum to post a solid high school season. He averaged 8.4 points per game and netted a season high 19 points vs. ANC in the PAISAA playoffs. Over the last three games of the 2021-22 season Rayer found a scoring groove, contributing 16.3 points per night. When Rayer is in scoring mode, perimeter jumpers are his weapon of choice (41% on triples this winter). When he is in distributor mode, Rayer is an intelligent and patient point guard who will distribute the rock when the correct option presents itself. On defense, he is a pesky on-ball defender.
Calvin Szoradi – 6’7” / Episcopal Academy / Center: An athletic 5-man with a soft touch around the rim, Szoradi is a throwback style of center. He can dominate the paint with post ups for buckets and by grabbing offensive rebounds. On the defensive end, Szoradi’s surprising speed as well as quick hands and great anticipation skills produce steal/deflections in every contest. Szoradi plays with tremendous energy at both ends and has a high basketball IQ.
Nicholai Smiley – 5’10” / Upper Merion / Combo Guard: Smiley is a physical guard who flew under the radar this past season at Upper Merion. Smiley (16 ppg. two weekends ago at the Phight for Philly event) is a lefty who is automatic on face up jumpers from the elbows, is a respectable 3-point shooter and will also fearlessly attack the rim off the bounce. As a nice bonus to his offensive skills, Smiley is a plus defender who typically is responsible for guarding the opposing team’s No. 1 option.