PSAL Matchups that will be must-see this Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2023-2024 season is less than a week away in NYC and coaches have been fine tuning their programs in preseason tournaments. Now that transfers are done and rosters are solidified. Let's take a look at a couple of PSAL matchups that will be must-see this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eagle Academy II vs Thomas Jefferson</strong> - <span style="text-decoration: underline">November 30th</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like guard play there are intriguing prospects on both sides of this matchup. First, the home team, Eagle Academy II, features a dynamic sophomore guard in Da'quan Bryant. As a Freshman, Bryant played JV and had many stellar performances including a 40 point 12 assist night. Although Bryant isn't the biggest guard, his play would beg to differ. When driving, Bryant welcomes contact and finishes over larger defenders. On defense, Bryant is a terror in the passing lanes, and we will be watching to see if this transfers to the Varsity level. Along with Bryant, is recent transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1195618' first='Jakai' last='Sanders']. Last year, Sanders played for Bishop Loughlin making the CHSAA AA All League Second Team. At 6'3" Sanders is athletic and can really score the basketball. The duo of Bryant and Sanders will be must-see all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Thomas Jefferson side, the guard to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='1988902' first='Connor' last='Sprattley']. After briefly, transferring to The Patrick School, Sprattley returned to Jefferson for his senior season. When it comes to NYC point guards, Sprattley fits the bill to a tee. With the ball in his hands, Sprattley is as dynamic and versatile as it gets. In preseason action, Sprattley appears to be an improved three-point shooter. Because of this, Sprattley will be even tougher to guard and makes him a must-see player for Jefferson this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eagle Academy I vs James Monroe</strong> -<span style="text-decoration: underline"> December 5th</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rivalry may be brewing in the Bronx between these two teams. This is a rematch of this summer's <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-this-fall/">Smartball NYC</a> tournament, where Monroe walked away victorious. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eagle Academy has a host of new transfers that we covered in preseason. For starters, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-this-fall/">[player_tooltip player_id='1203971' first='Daye' last='Kaba']</a>, a long and athletic wing who gets to the basket at will and shows signs of developing into a catch and shoot threat from deep. Although Monroe did see Kaba in action with his new team, Eagle will surely have sets and different ways to get Kaba involved that Monroe has not seen. In addition to Kaba, John Harrington is a new face at Eagle. Harrington is a feisty defender who likes to create steals by pestering ball handlers or getting into the passing lane. Returning for Eagle, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-this-fall/">D'andre Gibbs</a>, is a senior guard that can shoot the deep ball and finish through contact in the lane. Overall this Eagle squad will be must-see as they continue to mesh throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side is James Monroe, a team with the pieces to make noise this season in the PSAL. First, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-part-2/">Harvin Guerra</a> will be a matchup nightmare for majority of the forwards and centers. Guerra has shown the ability to known down shots and is continuing to add low post moves to his arsenal. At his size, it's almost impossible to rebound over Guerra and Eagle will have their hands full trying to keep him off the boards. One player that could decide this matchup from the beginning will be <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-this-fall/">Karifala Conde</a>. In preseason action, Conde's activity on the defensive end and the glass was the difference for Monroe. If Conde adds to what he already brings to this team, they will be must-see all season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup has the potential to be a preview to the PSAL Bronx Borough championships and will be must-see every time this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"file"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":2280522,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/smartball1.jpg?1700788698"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/smartball1.jpg?1700788698" alt="" class="wp-image-2280522" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Harvin Guerra attempts free throw while D'Andre Gibbs boxes out.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brooklyn Collegiate vs Thomas Jefferson</strong> - <span style="text-decoration: underline">December 14th</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We won't embellish too much on Thomas Jefferson, since we featured the player to watch earlier. But what Brooklyn Collegiate has this year that Eagle Academy II doesn't, are a solid lineup of big bodies. Because of this it will be interesting to see how [player_tooltip player_id='1988902' first='Connor' last='Sprattley'] and Jefferson choose to attack Brooklyn Collegiate in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Brooklyn Collegiate, this game will be a chance for guard Flavio Jean to showcase he is one of the best guards in the PSAL facing off against Sprattley. Jean handles the ball on a string and plays the game with a fiery intensity. Besides creating his own shot, Jean can also create opportunities for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be interesting to see if Jefferson can slow down Collegiate's guards and force the bigs to play a larger role in the matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to big men, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/ny-team-preview-brooklyn-collegiate/">[player_tooltip player_id='2350968' first='Tyler' last='Edore']</a> is one of the best in the PSAL. A double-double machine, Edore has good hands and either bullies or finesses his way to the rim when necessary. From the outside, Edore is a threat and this will allow Collegiate's guards to penetrate for layups. This is a solid Brooklyn Collegiate team from top to bottom and they will be must-see all season in the PSAL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eagle Academy II vs South Shore</strong> - <span style="text-decoration: underline">January 6th</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the only League scheduled matchup between these two powerhouse Brooklyn programs. Eagle with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1195618' first='Jakai' last='Sanders'] and the emergence of Da'quan Bryant will look to continue their dominance in Brooklyn. However, South Shore is looking to make a return to the throne. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We featured <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-part-2/">Kevin Kearney</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/10/nyc-prospects-building-buzz-this-fall/">[player_tooltip player_id='2457152' first='Asher' last='Elson']</a>, two long wing players that get to the rim with ease. But this matchup will feature new transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='1729826' first='Sincere' last='Folk']. Who is a dynamic point guard who played his Freshman season with Archbishop Molloy. We had an opportunity to watch Folk multiple times last season. And he showed glimpses of being a really good point guard. Folk is unselfish, sees the floor well and is aggressive when taking the ball to the basket, not shying away from contact. Alongside, Kearney and Elson Folk will be an interesting addition for South Shore. A team that likes to get pressure ball handlers to create steals and easy buckets in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant and Sanders should be able to handle the pressure, but you never know and that makes this one of the must-see games this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"file"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":2280523,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/P1620367.jpg?1700788749"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/P1620367.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-2280523" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South Shore vs. Eagle Academy I in preseason action.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->