Open Gym Series: Archbishop Wood & Springside Chestnut Hill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the final edition of my Open Gym Series. I capped it off with visits to Archbishop Wood and Springside Chestnut Hill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Archbishop Wood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I took the trip up to Warminster to see what Coach Mosco has in the works at Wood. Replacing 4 of their top 6 rotation players from a season ago, their slew of sophomores and some new additions making a jump will be imperative. If they can do that, they could make it to the Palestra in February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1013075' first='Carson' last='Howard'] (6'8 C ‘23): Howard won second-team league by simply getting putbacks and playing low post defense. With a younger team this season, his role as a screener will be more crucial.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577638' first='Gus' last='Salem'] (6'2 G ‘23): Coming all the way from southern California, Salem brings immediate impact as a ball-handler and shot-maker. How he and the PCL adjust to one another will be intriguing to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (6'4 G ‘24): Bethea moves from 6th man to offensive focal point following his eye-opening performances this summer/fall. How he manages the game intangibly will be just as important as his on-court usage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1483181' first='Josh' last='Reed'] (6'3 G ‘24): Reed is going through a transition of his own: from defensive stopper to two-way power guard. He has the added responsibility of being their primary ball-handler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1188627' first='Milan' last='Dean'] (6'3 G/W ‘25): The high motor and energy from “Mir” should be a constant spark for this young team. He's been an explosive athlete, now his jumper is catching up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Green (6'2 G ‘25): Green is a smooth operator with the ball in his hands. As the backup PG, he's going to positively impact the game without any drop off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1382983' first='Deuce' last='Maxey'] (6'2 G ‘25): Maxey is an excellent marksman in his own rite. His sneaky athleticism will help him as an all-around scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1460810' first='Grady' last='Burt'] (6'5 F ‘25): Formerly at Council Rock North, Grady brings a change of pace inside with his ability to space the floor and his agility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Markus Dixon (6'5 F/C ‘23): Committed to play Tight End at Clemson next fall, Dixon is handling his business on the football right now, but will add frontcourt depth come December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springside Chestnut Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same day, I came back into the city for the Blue Devils's open runs. The core of their team from last season is back. So with that experience and the improvements everyone's made over the summer, this roster is talented enough to contend for Inter-Ac and PAISSA titles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1188210' first='Alassane' last='Amadou'] (6'9 F ‘23): It's not hard to see why Marquette put all their chips in for the combo forward. The growths in Amadou's confidence will slowly translate to him taking over games defensively and making a consistent impact offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1281996' first='Jaren' last='Morton'] (6'5 W ‘23): Morton continues to intrigue with his athleticism on both ends and shooting. How much he puts it all together could be the difference in his recruiting and where/how the team finishes the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1123911' first='Ron' last='Brown III'] (6'0 G ‘24): After playing more off-ball as a sophomore, Brown will get a crack at the PG spot. His ability to defend the opposing team's best guard will be his calling card as he transfers his summer progress as an initiator to the high school context.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1200762' first='Camden' last='Burns'] (5'11 G ‘24): Burns was SCH's closer a season ago and should continue into his junior year. His tough shot-making in the mid-range is expanding to other parts of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1281795' first='Caleb' last='Alston-Nelson'] (6'7 F ‘24): The x-factor for this team, Alston-Nelson is due for a breakout season. He has the tools to be a versatile defender and be a force on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1865285' first='Keni' last='Williams'] (6'0 G ‘25): Better known as “Bird”, Williams glides to his spots with feel and pace. His first season on varsity should be one where we see him create opportunities for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1406790' first='Patrese' last='Feamster'] (6'2 G ‘26): Feamster is the puppy on this roster but is ready to contribute now. His poise as a shooter with range will have him in the game early and often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1188235' first='Mitch' last='Karp'] (6'7 C ‘24): Karp plays along the line up scrimmage for the football team. He'll provide a more rugged presence down low in the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more hoops coverage, follow me on social media @ Cgraham_sports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->