Underrated 2023 Duos
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As much as talented players may be known locally, some of them are still slept on across the region or nationally. Not only are these seniors good individually, they know how to play alongside other good players. Here are five…
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Continue ReadingAs much as talented players may be known locally, some of them are still slept on across the region or nationally. Not only are these seniors good individually, they know how to play alongside other good players. Here are five 2023 duos to keep an eye on this season:
Dean Coleman-Newsome Dean Coleman-Newsome 6'2" | PG Archbishop Carroll | 2023 State PA & Blake Deegan Blake Deegan 6'6" | SF Archbishop Carroll | 2023 State PA | Archbishop Carroll
Though Coleman-Newsome is highly regarded in the area, he’s still flying under recruited relative to his talent. Deegan’s stock is still growing after being a key reserve in ‘21-22. The pair play off each other well with their inverted approach. DCN uses his strength and burst to bend defenses and hold his spot when guarding slashers. Deegan spaces the floor and is mobile, allowing him to pick-and-pop on one end and hedge ball-screens and be a weak-side rim protector on the other end.
Kyle Jones, Jr. Kyle Jones, Jr. 6'3" | CG Father Judge | 2023 State PA & Ernest Shelton Ernest Shelton 6'3" | CG Father Judge | 2023 State PA | Father Judge
In his second season in Philly after moving from Georgia, Jones Jr slides into more of an off-ball role where his pull up shooting is maximized. Shelton, also entering his second season after transferring from McDevitt, is an archer who shoots extremely well on the move. He’ll open up driving lanes for Jones Jr, who will in-turn create more open looks for him. As the two most lethal threats in the Crusaders arsenal, if they get hot, things can get ugly (for their opponents) quickly.
Yahmir Satterfield & Baasil Saunders Baasil Saunders 6'4" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA | Imhotep
Satterfield is a 4-year program kid, while Saunders is a Delaware native going into his first season at Tep. The Panthers are best on defense when these two play together. Satterfield draws some of the tougher assignments on the perimeter and more than holds his own. Saunders is great playing in the gap, help side. They can both shoot, but there’s no better corner 3 specialist than Yahmir. Baasil gets off when he’s slashing and cutting backdoor. Overall, they bring a diverse assortment of skills to the wing.
Saleem Payne, Jr. Saleem Payne, Jr. 5'11" | CG Phelps School | 2023 State PA & Argel Pettit Argel Pettit 5'10" | PG Devon Prep | 2022 State PA IV | Phelps
This backcourt combo compliments each other so well. Payne has the quick hands and feet to jump passing lanes. Again, in the open floor or in the halfcourt, he can bend the defense because he’s so quick and sudden. Pettit is the beneficiary of that. Automac off-the-catch, IV always relocates to open space for three, even if that means shooting from NBA range. He’s even more dangerous when he’s running off of screens.
Delaware Special: Dayon Polk & Chris Stanford Chris Stanford 6'7" | PF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA | Sanford
The Warriors have the best guard-big combo in the state. Polk is a dog on defense who is much improved as a scorer. His ability to find angles around the basket is crucial for their halfcourt offense. Stanford comfortably has the traditional back-to-the basket footwork in his bag. His passing skills as a point-forward from the high post is promising as well. The Polk-Stanford two-man game could be the winning recipe for a state title.
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