2024-2025 Prep Open Tournament: Backcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To cap off the 2024-25 season, we were introduced to a new variation of the Open Prep tournament here in New Jersey, formally known as the Prep A Tournament. With some new programs welcomed to the field, we saw the state's best prep teams, seeded 1 through 8, partake in a postseason tournament that ultimately saw Blair get crowned 2025 Prep Open champions. Let's take a look at some guys, in the backcourt that stood out over the course this tournament's play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1153987"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755dea0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On his way to averaging 15.5 points throughout the Prep Open Tournament, [player_tooltip player_id='1153987' first='London' last='Carson'] showcased his ability to score the basketball at multiple levels. From the perimeter, Carson showed he can shoot it at an efficient clip off the catch. Carson also did a good job of getting to his mid range game, knocking down multiple pull up jumpers. Carson also showed his ability to finish around the basket, whether it was finishing plays in transition at the basket or cutting to open space in the paint to get open layups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1764304"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755deae0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1764304' first='Gabe' last='Hornberger'] shined in his ability to be a versatile perimeter shooter. Hornberger showed he's capable of shooting it off the catch while also utilizing pump fakes and being able to shoot it off one or two dribbles. Hornberger also showed his ability to move well without the ball and often times relocating in the halfcourt. Hornberger averaged 17 PPG across two games in the Prep Open Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1958321"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755deb9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1958321' first='Brandon' last='Lee']'s perimeter shooting ability was on full display throughout the course of the Prep Open Tournament. Particularly off the catch, Lee continued to show he can shoot it at a high percentage from three point range. Lee also showed to be an effective shooter off the move as well, as he hit handful of threes coming off screens, relocating in the halfcourt, and running the floor in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578536"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755dec48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1578536' first='Jaysean' last='Williams'] showcased his ability to provide steady offense for The Patrick School. Whether it was shooting it off the catch from the perimeter or getting in the paint to finish in different ways around the basket or getting in the paint to create offense for his teammates, Williams displayed his ability to a reliable decision maker for The Patrick's School offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1865348"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755decea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Operating as a primary source of offense for Blair Academy throughout the Prep Open Tournament, [player_tooltip player_id='1865348' first='Jaen' last='Chatman'] showcased the different ways he can put the ball in the basket. Chatman was effective shooting it from three off the catch, finishing through contact both in transition and off of halfcourt dribble drives. Behind a 25 point performance in the championship, Chatman showed he's capable of flourishing with or without the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595679"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755ded88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deron Rippey showcased his versatility as a scorer throughout this year's Prep Open Tournament. Rippey showed that he can shoot it off the dribble from behind the three point line, particularly off screens, break his defender down and get to the basket, and finish plays in transition at the rim. Rippey also shined as a playmaker, in the ways he was able to hit guys running the floor ahead in transition or hitting guys cutting to the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2628166"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755dee1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santonio Wade was extremely effective in transition as a playmaker, where he was able to make plays not only for himself, finishing through contact and around defenders at the rim, but also for others, hitting guys ahead in transition and finding open shooters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2107791"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67be6755deeb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In Pennington's lone game in the Prep Open Tournament, [player_tooltip player_id='2107791' first='Kae' last='Kilic']'s perimeter shooting ability was on full display. Knocking down a total of 5 threes against College Achieve Asbury Park, Kilic showcased not only his smooth release but also that he's a guy that defenses must close out on. Kilic finished the game with 15 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->