Metro Classic: Day 2 Standouts Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday, February 7th, the Metro Classic returned once again to Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ as part of the second day of this showcase's action. Not only did we see some of New Jersey's better programs as of late compete against the likes of national programs but we also saw matchups between some of the best programs within the state of New Jersey. As part of the first breakdown of day two's action, let's take a look at some of the guys that stood over the course of Friday's action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-67a9106e432c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derron Rippey Jr. showed his ability to score the basketball from multiple levels. Rippey was able to get going creating for himself by not only hitting shots off the bounce from three point range but also attacking downhill to finish at the rim— finishing through contact and evading defenders in the paint. Rippey finished the game against St. Thomas More (CT) with 22 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1810844"],"_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":"","_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-67a9106e433a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Behind a 19 point performance for Blair Academy, [player_tooltip player_id='1810844' first='Ramon' last='Soyoye'] displayed his ability to finish inside— whether it was catching deep seals in the paint, catching the ball on baseline cuts and finishing right at the rim, or catching it out the pick and roll, Soyoye, at times, showed solid hands and a solid ability to finish around the rim. Soyoye also showed an ability to knock down free throws. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1547475"],"_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":"","_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-67a9106e4343f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finishing the game against St. Thomas More (CT) with 17 points, [player_tooltip player_id='1547475' first='Jack' last='Bailey'] showcased his ability to finish around the rim— attacking the rim off closeouts, putting the ball on the floor in transition, and catching dump offs out the dunker spot. Bailey was also able to rebound the basketball, contributing both on the offensive and defensive glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339154"],"_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-67a9106e434c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Providing consistent offense for Paul VI throughout the course of this game against South Shore (NY), [player_tooltip player_id='2339154' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] was able to score the basketball from multiple levels. Thomas was able to knock down open shots from three point range, get to the rim off halfcourt dribble drives as well as finish plays at the basket in transition. Thomas finished the game with 24 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1271427"],"_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-67a9106e4353d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Providing steady shot making for Paul VI against South Shore (NY), [player_tooltip player_id='1271427' first='Judah' last='Hidalgo'] got going by primarily hitting an array of catch and shoot threes and mid range pull ups. Hidalgo finished the game with 13 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2405359"],"_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-67a9106e435b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Using his length, [player_tooltip player_id='2405359' first='Toussaint' last='Malukila'] was extremely active around the rim, securing extra possessions on the offensive glass. Malukila also showed flashes of having a solid touch around the basket when he was able to get to his baby hook shot. Malukila finished the game with 13 points and 8 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1919211"],"_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-67a9106e43628"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1919211' first='Dorsett' last='Mulcahy'] did a good job of playing within himself and doing a little bit of everything for Gill. Knocking down open catch and shoot threes, keeping the ball moving and finding open teammates, and attacking closeouts and finishing at the rim were all ways Mulcahy showed to be effective. Mulcahy finished the game with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339152"],"_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-67a9106e4369f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stanley Njekwe provided a nice presence on the inside for Gill St. Bernard's. Njekwe was able to finish around the rim, catching dump offs and off dribble drives. Defensively, Njekwe showed his ability to not only contain drives on the perimeter but also defend multiple positions and rebound the basketball at a high rate. Njekwe finished the game with 10 points and 11 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->