SEPA Spring Grassroots Report: Week 1
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PSB Philly 15U-Harken. Photo: PSB Philly This past weekend the 2022 spring grassroots season tipped off with teams from southeastern Pennsylvania traveling to places like Neptune, NJ and Manheim, PA for tournaments. It is still early in the season and…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend the 2022 spring grassroots season tipped off with teams from southeastern Pennsylvania traveling to places like Neptune, NJ and Manheim, PA for tournaments.
It is still early in the season and with major events scheduled for the weekend of April 8th and 9th, the number of teams competing last weekend was on the light side. However, we still managed to take in some highly competitive games.
Below is a review of prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who played well on the spring grassroots circuit this past weekend.
15U
Jacob Nguyen – 6’3” / Spring Ford / Philly Pride National / Shooting Guard: Nguyen is a taller guard prospect who can torch the nets from deep. He owns an endless motor that produces non-stop off-ball movement. His high basketball IQ and court awareness enable him to find open spaces in any defense. Those intangibles plus his quick trigger make Nguyen difficult to defend on the perimeter. He registered 21 points (5 threes) against the PSA Cardinals this weekend. Nguyen’s outstanding play helped lead Philly Pride National to an undefeated record and their division championship at the Hoop Group Spring Showdown.
Jake Sniras – 6’3″ / Garnet Valley / PSB Philly-Harken / Combo Guard: During the 2021-22 high school season Sniras was a freshman starter for a GV squad that advanced to the 2nd Round of the 6A state tourney. This past weekend he continued those winning ways by leading PSB Philly-Harken to an undefeated, division winning run at the Hoop Group Spring Showdown. Sniras (17 ppg. this past weekend) is a multi-skilled prospect who shoots the jumper effectively and uses the dribble drive to score at the rim. On defense his enormous wingspan and high motor enable him to be a force on the glass, deflect / steal passes and block shots.
16U
Kirby Mooney Kirby Mooney 6'1" | SG William Tennent | 2024 State PA – 6’1” / William Tennent / PA Royals / Combo Guard: The PA Royals were missing three key players because of injuries, so Mooney was a one man show at the Phight for Philly event. Mooney did everything he could to keep the squad competitive, averaging 22 points per game and scoring 26 points vs. Elite Academy. This backcourt prospect is a slasher who can score the rock with either hand. If a defender sags off Mooney to keep him out of the paint, he will knock home triples.
Toby Ojukwu – 6’2” / Roman Catholic / Philly Pride National / Combo Guard: Ojukwu and company traveled to Neptune, NJ for the Hoop Group Spring Showdown where they “played up” in the 17U Gold division and walked away as co-champions of that division. In his first tourney with the Philly Pride National this versatile guard prospect drained threes, distributed the rock and played smothering on-ball defense. We are expecting a significant rise in Ojukwu’s recruiting stock during the spring / summer circuits.
Nicholai Smiley – 5’10” / Upper Merion / East Coast Power-Danzig / Combo Guard: Smiley is a physical guard who flew under the radar this winter in an Upper Merion program loaded with backcourt talent. The Spring 2022 grassroots circuit will be his breakout season and he tipped it off with a head turning opening weekend. Thanks to Smiley’s outstanding performances at the Phight for Philly event, his ECP squad won their 16U division. Smiley (16 ppg.) is a tenacious, high-energy player who competes on every possession at both ends of the court. This lefty 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 tasked with guarding the other team’s No. 1 option.
17U
Josh Coulanges Josh Coulanges 5'9" | PG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA – 6’0’’ / Cardinal O’Hara / SK Elite / Point Guard: After as solid 2021-22 season high school season in which he averaged 10.8 points per game and shot 46% on FGAs, Coulanges will be looking to keep his recruiting stock trending upward. On opening weekend of the spring circuit this versatile lead guard did just that. As a distributor Coulanges excels in drive and kick plays. His ability to get two feet into the paint and draw in an entire defense creates space for perimeter shooters. Coulanges can also score the ball at all 3 levels. At the Phight for Philly tourney Coulanges posted 19 ppg. and scored a weekend high 22 points in the 2nd round.
Jack Flannery – 5’11” / Roman Catholic / Next Play-Red / Combo Guard: In 2021-22 Flannery was a reserve for Roman’s 6A state championship team that was stacked with DI prospects. So this spring he is looking to put up serious stats and grab the attention of college coaches. This weekend he achieved that goal as Flannery played outstanding basketball and led Next Play-Red to a 4-0 record at the Phight for Philly tourney. Flannery scored 26 points and handed out 5 assists in their 17U division championship game. This backcourt prospect is a crafty guard who can score at all three levels. He has a high IQ and tight handles which means he rarely commits turnovers.
Karron Mallory – 6’0” / Northeastern / York Ballers / Combo Guard: Mallory’s reputation is that of a high-level scoring guard who is money from well beyond the college 3-point line. This past weekend he definitely displayed that skill set. However, his biggest contribution to the York Ballers title run at Battle of the Hardwood tourney was his distribution of the rock. Mallory exhibited an unselfish nature and excellent court vision on his way to averaging 5 dimes per game. Additionally, Mallory proved to be a menacing defensive presence — on and off the ball. He snatched 3 steals per contest at this event.
Nasir Washington – 6’2” / West Philly / SK Elite / Shooting Guard: After a tremendous PIAA 4A state tournament during which he averaged 22.6 points and 4 made threes per night, this past weekend Washington proved that his high-level performance at states was no fluke. Washington continues to drain threes and excel in transition. At the Phight for Philly event his mid-range game was working as well. He posted 26 ppg. and registered a 30 & 10 double-double in the opening round. We know that Washington has heard from several D2 programs, but we expect DI schools will start jumping into the mix soon.