Chico Summer Shootout High School Playoffs: Little Things Guys

On Monday, August 11th, I attended the Chico Summer Shootout summer league at O'Connell South Common Park in Lawrence, MA. The high school division had their playoffs, and I watched four teams full of talented hoopers. Though there were many seniors who just graduated, I'll only be focusing on the players who still have more HS basketball to play.   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/08/chico-summer-shootout-high-school-playoffs-impressive-bigs/">Chico Summer Shootout High School Playoffs: Impressive Bigs</a>   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/08/chico-summer-shootout-high-school-playoffs-scoring-guards/">Chico Summer Shootout High School Playoffs: Scoring Guards</a>   Below are some players who did all the little things.    Crowley is a coach's dream. The 6-foot-3 wing is incredibly versatile on both ends and can do virtually everything on the basketball court. Defensively, he uses his size and strength to wall up bigger players but his quickness and agility to slide his feet with smaller guards, and he doesn't take possessions off on defense no matter what's happening for him on the other end. Offensively, Crowley can shoot it from three but really excels as a finisher in the paint; he's super athletic and has really solid touch with both hands. Oh, and he cuts better than anyone at Chico summer runs. Awesome player.     Ellsmore is another do-it-all wing who has very solid versatility and size. He can do everything offensively -- handle it, pass it and shoot it -- and he's also able to guard a wide variety of offensive players as a result of his athleticism. I would like to see him in an AAU or high school context, because I'm not sure the streetball game suits his play style. However, the rising senior at Bedford High School should have a really big season and will therefore have a good chance to find a D3 college spot after that.     Uhunwuagho was the most physically imposing guard at the Chico summer shootout playoffs, and it wasn't particularly close. He's only 6-foot-2, but he has an absurd upper body and is one of the strongest drivers to the rim I've come across in high school hoops. There isn't a person on the court he can't guard, and there isn't a little thing on the court he won't do; he defends, gets loose balls, uses his physicality, and plays hard every possession. Uhunmwuagho is going to OTE next season and will shock people with his strength and toughness.     Despite only being a rising sophomore -- and one of the youngest players in the chico summer shootout league -- Quinlan looked incredibly comfortable and confident. The 6-foot-1 PG is incredibly skilled and makes the simple, right play every time (even in a streetball setting where many are playing ISO ball). Quinlan sets awesome off ball screens, makes quick and decisive extra passes, and always knows what he's going to do with the ball before he catches it. He also might be one of the better shooters in this league. He'll absolutely find a high level D3 fit when the time comes.     Lewis didn't shoot the ball well when I watched him on Monday night, but I really liked his feel for the game and pace. He has a good handle and plays with his eyes up, so he's always ready to make the cross court or kick ahead pass to teammates. He makes the right play consistently for himself or his teammates and has good discernment in terms of passing vs. shooting. I have to imagine he's normally a solid shooter, too, based on how his release looks and the types of looks he was getting. He should have a big year at Manchester Essex next season and will likely find a D3 fit when the time comes.

On Monday, August 11th, I attended the Chico Summer Shootout summer league at O'Connell South Common Park in Lawrence, MA. The high school division had their playoffs, and I watched four teams full of talented hoopers. Though there were many seniors who just graduated, I'll only be focusing on the players who still have more HS basketball to play.