Who Caught My Eye in the Prep B Tournament
The Prep B tournament concluded on Wednesday with Newark Academy beating out Montclair Kimberly 48-35 for the final win. Some players showed out in this tournament and did everything they could to will their team to victory. Here are the…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep B tournament concluded on Wednesday with Newark Academy beating out Montclair Kimberly 48-35 for the final win. Some players showed out in this tournament and did everything they could to will their team to victory. Here are the players who caught my eye in the Prep B tournament.
Nick Fusco
Nick Fusco
As I was watching Fusco he was as determined as anyone to get his team to the final round of the tournament looking to score at will whenever he touched the ball. In the first game I watched versus Morristown-Beard, he put up 25 points in a 65-64 nail-biter win. Fusco got to the rim in almost every way possible and was aggressive when working the midrange. In the semi-final round, Doane Academy faced off against Montclair Kimberley in a 76-62 loss. Fusco put up a stellar 31 points while getting hot from behind the arc hitting 6 threes. The senior guard will look to build upon his successful run moving forward into the season.
Manny Udofia
Manny Udofia
Udofia can play multiple positions throughout a game and this was evident from my point of view in this tournament as I saw he was able to switch onto anyone on the perimeter or in the paint. His offensive game is smooth putting up 16 points versus Doane Academy. Udofia had a strong impressive and-1 finish early in the first quarter that put the rest of Doane’s defense on notice. Just being present and getting to watch some of his game that it’s clear he is a double-double machine who will erase your shot into the stands if you dare to test him.
Jarrell and his team Morristown-beard came up short in their only appearance as I watched his team lose a one-point game heart-break 65-64 to Doane Academy. That didn’t stop Jarrell from doing everything in his power to try and will his team to victory as I witnessed him stuff the box score with 26 points and 12 rebounds. It was clear to me that his ability to hit the three-ball is what makes him a tough guard as he hit 3 threes with two of them being from the left wing and one from the left corner. Jarrell also does a good job getting to the rim and drawing fouls as he hit 11 free throws in this game.
Highlights
Zach Shirodkar
Zach Shirodkar
Shirodkar was extra quick off his feet in the final round as it was plain as day to me and anyone else in the gym just how open he was in fastbreak situations. I could see from the jump that in Newark Academy’s first game Shirodkar and his teammates were looking to go coast to coast whenever they touched the ball. Shirodkar put up 12 points in the semi-final round against Princeton Day and then scored an important 7 points in the final-round victory against Montclair Kimberley. I was able to see his ability to hit the open three-pointer while also driving to the rim to finish over multiple taller defenders inside the paint. Shirodkar played a major part in helping his team win the tournament.
Dylan Wapner
Dylan Wapner
Wapner helped his team in many different ways to secure the Prep B tournament win. In the semi-final round, Wapner scored 12 points versus Princeton Day while logging in 2 crucial steals with one steal coming off an inbound pass. Just by watching him for a few possessions, you could see his quick hands were on full display which allowed him to pressure players from the start and would not let up as the game went along. In the final round going up against Montclair Kimberley, I looked closely as Wapner sealed the deal with his 20 points of offense. He hit 2 three points while getting into the heart of the defense working the midrange game and hitting tough fading-away shots. Newark Academy won 48-35.