Game Recap: Huntington Prep 79, The Patrick School 77

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw a barnburner on Saturday afternoon between national powers Huntington Prep (WV) and The Patrick School (NJ) as part of the Grind Session's Philly stop. In a high-octane affair in which no team led by double digits, Huntington emerged with the win as freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2194651' first='Kameron' last='Mercer'] made a series of big plays to seal it in the fourth quarter. Committed seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1573155' first='Braydon' last='Hawthorne'] (West Virginia) and [player_tooltip player_id='2739667' first='Brandon' last='Lee'] (Illinois) keyed Huntington and TPS, respectively, but here we'll highlight a number of unsigned prospects who made key impacts throughout the game, headlined by available TPS forward [player_tooltip player_id='2634707' first='Kuai' last='Deng'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2634707"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2786014,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67ba8426d6693"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Already one of the bigger stockrisers in the Northeast this winter and fresh off his latest high-major offer from Cal, Deng shined once again with an emphatic double-double in the narrow defeat. Having previously strayed to the perimeter, it's really impressive how the Aussie has streamlined his skillset and approach into a consistently impactful two-way presence at the rim. He boasts elite quickness and agility for his size, with a soft touch and a natural nose for the ball. Deng's added a real edge since we first evaluated him, deploying his physical tools to wreak havoc on the glass on both ends. He offers a boatload of defensive versatility as well as he continues to add muscle to his frame. Deng has impressed in each viewing this season to solidify himself as one of the premier unsigned forwards in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194651"],"_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-67ba8426d66fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Considered one of the nation's premier freshmen, Mercer overcame a quiet start to close the game in resounding fashion to seal the win. The jumbo lefty guard scored almost all of his points during a clutch fourth-quarter run. He got himself going with his bruising downhill attack before showing sharp footwork and soft touch into a number of tough midrange buckets. With the potential to be an elite defender as time goes on, Mercer helped ice the game with both a key steal and rebound in the final seconds. It's easy to see why high-majors have come calling already, though he will have to continue to refine his jumper and extend his range for the highest levels.</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-67ba8426d6746"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In our first extended look at the Kentucky native since coming to TPS early in the season, Wade impressed with his pace, command, and passing ability from the lead guard spot. An old-school pure point guard, he has the ball on a string with a compact handle that he uses to responsibly push the pace or knife into the lane in the halfcourt. His head is constantly up and scanning the floor, showing zero reluctance to keep the ball moving. The southpaw also flashed an ability to reliably space the floor out to the arc. We're curious to see more of his scoring package, but Wade looks like the type of pass-first dribble-drive threat that scholarship-level programs in the Northeast will covet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1801877"],"_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-67ba8426d678a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An unsigned senior big man who's garnered buzz up to the high-major level dating back to the summer, Taylor flashed an intriguing skillset in the frontcourt after shaking off a slow start. The native of Sweden brings a combo of size and skill to the frontcourt with some intriguing physical tools to boot. He's still developing his identity as a player but there's the clear outlines of a versatile two-way presence up front. Taylor was really impactful late in the game with his energy and effort as a cleanup guy around the rim; we'd like to see him tap into that aggressive mentality more often throughout the course of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2691786"],"_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-67ba8426d67cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A Delaware native making a return to his home region, Smith packed a punch from the very start with his aggressive downhill attack. He showed a well-rounded skillset off the bounce with a variety of dribble moves to either side into tough finishes with either hand. Smith showed positive flashes defending the ball and turning defense to offense in transition, while also flashing as a jump shooter. He'll have to mature a bit as a decisionmaker and game manager from the lead guard spot moving forward, but there's a lot to work with for the hard-nosed, productive young guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2243492"],"_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-67ba8426d6811"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A native of the Bronx who's made his way to WV, Reid has a lot of positive building blocks to work with as he finetunes his game over the next several years. He has great size and length in the backcourt with a smooth cadence and pace to his attack off the bounce. He splits ballhandling duties but shows upside as a lead guard with his ability to collapse defenses and find teammates. Reid also does a great job of using his length to pester opposing guards on the defensive end. With a reclass to 2027, he'll run it back on the 16U 3SSB circuit this spring and summer, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see some offers thrown Reid's way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2623927"],"_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-67ba8426d685d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Things are still clicking into place for Kuany, who comes off the bench for limited several-minute spurts, but the finished product could be highly impactful when things are said and done. You can't teach size, and the South Sudan native has that in spades, adding to his towering height with massive length, plus mobility, and a steadily-revving motor. The flashes of shooting touch that he sprinkles in as well are just the possible cherry on top. It'll take time to properly add strength to his frame, but coaches up to the highest levels will be monitoring Kuany moving forward on the merits of his physical gifts alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595671"],"_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-67ba8426d68a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris has struggled to find his footing at times this year since transferring from College Achieve Charter (NJ), but he came off the bench with some key buckets that helped sway momentum in TPS' favor. Much like his brothers Jamir and JaQuan before him, Jebron predicates his game around a silky smooth perimeter jumper. He's smart with his positioning and has shown to be a keen passer within offensive structure. With an unorthodox build, it's a bit unclear where he's best off defending at the next level, but his smarts and offensive prowess will surely warrant scholarship attention over the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->