SEPA Summer Grassroots Report: Week 1…Part II

[caption id="attachment_1296106" align="alignleft" width="194"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Matt-Gilhool-2024-e1641840803824.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1296106" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Matt-Gilhool-2024-e1641840803824-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="194" height="259" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1173984" first="Matt" last="Gilhool"] (C/O 2024) of Philly Pride National. Photo: Liam Brennan[/caption] <p>Over the last week grassroots teams from southeastern PA tipped off their Summer 2022 circuits by participating in highly competitive events all around the country. In places such as Atlanta, Atlantic City, Manheim, and Kansas City, the region’s grassroots squads took on the best competition the nation has to offer and held their own.</p> <p>Yesterday we posted our weekly SEPA Grassroots Report, but we still had a significant amount of circuit notes and tips left to share.</p> <p>So, below is Part II in our review of prospects from southeastern PA (and beyond) who impressed with their outstanding play on grassroots circuit during the past week.</p> <p><strong><u>17U (2023s)</u></strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991390" first="Duce" last="Jackson"] </strong><strong>– 6’6” / Collegium Charter / 610 City / Small Forward: </strong>The long, physical, and athletic Jackson first caught our eye back in June with his outstanding runs at Philly HS Live. Here in July his mid-range to the rim scoring bag is grabbing the attention college coaches. Jackson’s ability to absorb contact in the paint and still score at the rim is noteworthy. So is his soft touch on 10-to-12-foot shots. At the AC Jam Fest Jackson exploded for a 29-point performance in 610’s victory over Spartan Pride (NY). Then at the HG Summer Jam Fest (Manheim, PA), Jackson continued his elite play and helped push 610 City to their division title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991392" first="Elijah" last="Hester"] </strong><strong>– 5’11″ / West Philly / SK Elite 17s / Point Guard: </strong>Hester is a creative primary ball handler who is flying under the radar of college coaches. This high basketball IQ, floor general style of point guard will be a welcome addition to any college program. Hester gets downhill quickly and plays at an up-tempo, but controlled pace. His aggressive, dribble drive play gets him into the paint where he can score the ball, drop a dime on a waiting big man or kick out to the arc. Hester is also a solid team defender</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901964" first="Ryan" last="Zan"] </strong><strong>– 6’7″ / Senior / Perkiomen School / East Coast Cyclones / Power Forward: </strong>Zan was a monster at the Atlantic City Jam Fest, posting two 20 and 10 games (including 29 points vs. Team Richmond) and pushing the EC Cyclones to their division championship. Then Zan dominated the Summer Jam Fest (Manheim, PA), registering a pair of 20-point games. He scored in the paint and the mid-range. Zan possesses the handles to score of the dribble as well. Plus, his jumper displayed range out to 16 feet. Zan and his Cyclones teammates are 7-1 in their last eight games.</p> <p><strong><u>16U (2024s)</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Anthony Brown, Jr. </strong>– <strong>6’4” / Engineering &amp; Sciences / Mt. Peasant Bulldogs / Small Forward:</strong> Brown is a wiry prospect with good end-to-end speed who scores with ease in transition. In the half court Brown’s instincts and quick second jump allow him to dominate the offensive glass. Brown also has a knack for positioning himself in the right interior spaces, so he frequently catches a drop pass and then finishes through contact. At the Summer Jam Fest (Manheim, PA) Brown averaged 8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 dimes per game.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1173984" first="Matt" last="Gilhool"] </strong>– <strong>6’10” / Westtown School / Philly Pride National / Center: </strong>One of the top big man prospects in the region continues to impress us. Gilhool runs the floor and shoots the three ball like a stretch 4. He is a dominant interior presence who at UAA Session III (GA) consistently finished at the rim with authority. Gilhool’s size, speed, and coordination, make him a fierce rebounder and intimidating shot blocker. He holds offers from Penn State, Rutgers, Bryant, and Mississippi State.</p> <p><strong>Noah Morris </strong>– <strong>5’9” / Bensalem / Philly Pride Bucks / Combo Guard:</strong> The white-hot 3-point shooting display Morris put on at the Atlantic City Jam Fest was a thing of beauty. He pumped in 6 triples during an OT victory over Eastern PA Elite and 15 threes across four games. In addition to his outside shooting, Morris is a crafty ball handler who is poised under pressure. With his exceptional court vision and unselfish nature Morris can play the role of distributor as well.</p> [caption id="attachment_1415913" align="alignleft" width="212"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Khaafiq-Myers-2024-2-crop-630x414-1648564417.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1415913" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Khaafiq-Myers-2024-2-crop-630x414-1648564417-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="212" height="139" /></a> Khaafiq Myewrs (C/O 2024) of NJ Scholars Elite. Photo: John Brennan (@imjohnbrennan)[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1123910" first="Khaafiq" last="Myers"] </strong>– <strong>5’11” / Neumann-Goretti / NJ Scholars Elite / Combo Guard: </strong>This past weekend at Nike EYBL Session 4 out in Kansas City, Myers high-level of guard play at both ends of the court was on full display. On offense, Myers is a slick guard who changes pace and direction extremely effectively. Once he gets into the paint, Myers can elude contact with a creative finish or simply absorb blows and draw the And1. This past weekend Myers posted 15.2 ppg. and scored a high of 18 points vs. City Rocks (NY). On defense, Myers is a fierce on-ball defender who guards all 94 feet.</p> <p><strong><u>15U (2025s)</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Robbie Johnson </strong>–<strong> 6’4” /</strong> <strong>St. George’s (DE) / We R1 / Wing: </strong>Johnson broke out during the 2021-22 high school season as a freshman starter at St. George’s and followed up with a solid spring circuit. Here in July, Johnson is really turning heads with his physicality (200 lbs. &amp; plays football), athleticism and efficient interior scoring. He possesses a nice bag of low post moves and does extensive work on the offensive glass. Additionally, this lefty drains threes from all over the arc. Down in Georgia at UAA Session III, Johnson recorded 12 points and 5 rebounds one game and then notched 10 points (2 threes) and 6 boards.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1466566" first="Owen" last="Schlager"] </strong>– <strong>6’2” / Trinity / Team PA / Combo Guard: </strong>Simply put, Schlager is a walking bucket. At the AC Jam Fest (NJ) this lefty scored at all three levels (18.2 ppg.). He scored in transition and in the half court. He scored in open space and when tightly guarded. Schlager knocked down deep jumpers and finished at the rim with either hand. Schlager’s scoring touch is complimented by his ability to serve as a primary ball handler, rebound the ball and hand out dimes (5 apg. in AC).</p>