Summertime Shootout: Middletown (DE) vs. West Catholic (PA)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Summertime Shootout series presented by Checkrock kicked off on Monday night at Chase Fieldhouse with a slate of three game sets featuring several top programs across PA and Delaware. We took in all three sets of action and will continue coverage with a recap of Delaware power Middletown's last-second win over West Catholic of the Philly Catholic League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442708"],"_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":2875996,"_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-683f2e5d204f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Savior was a force from start to finish on Monday night, kicking the game off with a putback and spotup 3 in the opening minutes before closing with the winning bucket in the final seconds. In between, he showed his innate versatility as a modern wing forward, seamlessly toggling between responsibilities both inside and out on either end. He knocked down multiple 3s, showed hints of skill and feel off the dribble, and used his size and length to create extra possessions on the glass. Still just 15 years old, the upside is becoming more apparent by the day with Savior having a real chance to catch D1 attention by summer's end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576722"],"_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-683f2e5d2055a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We touched recently on how Wheatley had been excelling in a smaller role on the EYBL circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'], but the returning All-PCL standout looked comfortable as ever stepping back into his place as West Catholic's two-way focal point. Despite the narrow loss, the athletic and increasingly versatile forward had spurts of dominance with his explosive play around the rim and expanding skillset on the perimeter. Wheatley put a lid on the rim for stretches at a time as the primary rim protector while also showcasing his impressive ability to slide his feet on with smaller guards away from the basket. He left some points on the table with easy finishes he usually converts, but still managed to stand out as the bona fide D1 prospect that he's established himself to be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386202"],"_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-683f2e5d205a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murphy was a revelation with his play on Monday night, bringing nonstop energy and efficient production while helping steer the narrow win in Middletown's offseason opener. A sturdy guard with good size and budding athleticism, he was under control but persistently aggressive looking to attack downhill. He drove with pace and showed the ability to finish strong and athletically through contact, also contributing as a secondary ballhandler and smart open-floor playmaker. Murphy has the physical tools to eventually carry his downhill attack over to the scholarship level, but we'll look for him to show in future evaluations that he can keep defenses honest with his jump shot as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427981"],"_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-683f2e5d205ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='2424028' first='Jayvon' last='Byrd'] to the proverbial transfer portal, a lot will fall on Scott's plate coming off a breakout year with flashes of brilliance after transferring into the PCL. He looked ready to shoulder the load on Monday using his crafty and compact dribble-drive attack to work his way downhill consistently to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Scott showed impressive resiliency while taking on physical defenders and being responsible to make things happen on most trips down the floor. We'll be looking for him to show progress moving forward as a consistent finisher and perimeter shooter, but his competitiveness and ability to touch the paint consistently are sure to place him on college radars in due time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2565811"],"_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-683f2e5d2062f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of a cohesive Middletown attack that overwhelmed with collective energy and aggressiveness, Ngugi was an effective piece in the frontcourt while bouncing between hybrid forward and small-ball '5' responsibilities. He was consistently active in both the halfcourt and transition settings, showing his ability to finish effectively in traffic off cuts and putbacks. Ngugi projects as a versatile defender with the length for the frontcourt but mobility to slide on the perimeter. He doesn't look to be the most skilled but there's value at the small-college level in energetic forwards who embrace their role like Ngugi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->