PAISAA Season Review: Breakout watch

With another great season in the books, it's time to look back on the winter that was in the increasingly talent-rich PA independent school scene. While this series is primarily a retrospective review, this article is really more of a look forward, as we take a look at several noteworthy performers from the PAISAA season who showed glimpses of breakout potential in the year to come. They may not have been All-League performers just yet, but their presence will assuredly be felt moving forward within the local landscape and beyond.    Smith actually cut his teeth last year as an 8th grader, coming off the bench for valuable minutes as PC won its first of back-to-back outright Inter-Ac titles. His position was similar this year as the Quakers returned almost all of their production, but Smith looked clearly improved within his complementary role. Playing next to a trio of high-major seniors limited his production, but he showed the talent level and mature approach that have him considered among the region's elite freshmen. The flashes will start this summer playing with his age group in AAU, but it will be fun to watch Smith really take off next year as he seizes more of a ball-in-hand role with the departure of his older teammates.     It's impossible to miss Chwastyk when he checks in the game, as the freshman is already the tallest player on the floor in almost every matchup. Playing a key bench role as a freshman, he showed he's far more than just a big body, displaying a tantalizing modern skillset that figures to draw attention from the highest levels with proper development in the coming years. Chwastyk plays comfortably inside and out with a smooth pick-and-pop stroke and an increasingly consistent ability to make an impact near the rim with his size, length, and touch. He's perhaps most advanced defensively, where he entices with his ability to both protect the rim and move his feet along the perimeter. He'll have to be careful in building up his body as he matures, but it looks like it won't be long before Chwastyk turns the corner from high-major prospect to impactful day-to-day performer.     With Westtown graduating four seniors to the D1 ranks, it will look to its current crop of sophomores to take big steps up next year, and Bailey figures to lead the charge if the Moose are to stay at the level they've become accustomed to over the past decade-plus. A repeat sophomore via Easton (MD), Bailey can be unsuspecting at first glance, but already made a key impact this year with his floor-spacing ability, on-ball defense, and knack for popping up around the ball at key moments. Coming off the bench, he showed a mature ability to impact games efficiently and within the flow of the game. A natural scorer, his growth as a lead guard will be key to monitor in the years to come, but his plug-and-play skillset will surely be valued by D1 coaches when the time comes as he steps into a marquee role for Westtown.     Splitting time between Phelps' national and PJAA teams in his first year in the region, Yue showed steady flashes of the expansive inside-out offensive skillset that figures to make him a popular name among college coaches in years to come. A native of China, he displays a natural feel and dexterity with the ball in his hands that's hard to find in a prospect his age, let alone one his size. Yue is most effective at the high school level as a dynamic floor-spacer with a highly versatile 3-point stroke, but he also shows enticing ability to put the ball on the deck, score out of the post, and make plays for teammates as a passer. It will take time to iron out his defensive shortcomings, but Yue looks ready to step into a marquee role as soon as next year with a potential recruiting boost to follow.     Cunningham stepped into a valuable role this year after seeing spot minutes as a freshman, consistently bringing a physical and athletic edge to the floor. Where he really drew intrigue, though, were with the flashes of skill he showed to go along with his hard-charging approach and powerful frame. The thumping wing forward was a force as a threat to finish above the rim as a cutter, in transition, or crashing the glass, but also began developing into a consistent perimeter shooter off the catch while flashing improving skill as a slasher off the bounce. With the clear potential to be a blue-chip defender, Cunningham looks set to take off if he can continue the growth in his offensive skillset into his upperclass years.     It was a key year of growth and maturation for Monroe, coming over from Freire Charter (PA) and getting accustomed to the rigorous daily expectations of the blossoming Cristo Rey program. While it didn't always reflect in his production as a sophomore, the talent is there in spades for Monroe to burst onto the scene as an upperclassman. A hyper-athletic swing forward, he plays with a nonstop motor while displaying the type of two-way versatility that's become coveted from his position in the modern game. As things continue to slow down for him and he gains another year of experience on the 3SSB circuit, look for Monroe to begin attracting D1 attention as soon as he steps into a more prominent role this coming year.     It can be easy to lose sight of Henighan as he plays second fiddle to one of the most prolific scorers in city history, but the young swingman boasts an enticing skillset in his own right that feels ready to grab more attention as an upperclassman. He catches the eye immediately with his length, but goes on to show a well-rounded dribble/pass/shoot skillset for a wing his age. Still in the early stages of his physical development and very young for his grade, it looks like more a matter of “when” not “if” Henighan starts to really come into his own.

With another great season in the books, it's time to look back on the winter that was in the increasingly talent-rich PA independent school scene. While this series is primarily a retrospective review, this article is really more of a look forward, as we take a look at several noteworthy performers from the PAISAA season who showed glimpses of breakout potential in the year to come. They may not have been All-League performers just yet, but their presence will assuredly be felt moving forward within the local landscape and beyond.