CoBL Interstate Shootout: Small-college specials

City of Basketball Love hosted its 10th annual Interstate Shootout this past weekend, bringing in over 100 teams from across the Philly tri-state area and beyond. After a productive day taking in the action on Sunday, we'll continue coverage with a recap of several seniors we observed who would make great fits at any number of small-college programs across the region.    An often-unsung member of the Coatesville rotation, Chester has slowly developed his game within the program over the past few years. Now looking to be entrenched as a full-time starter for the first time, he looked comfortable and confident while showing an intriguing inside-out skillset at his size. Despite his height, Chester is most comfortable on the perimeter where he shows an effortlessly smooth shooting stroke with expanding versatility across different actions. He's also able to sneak into soft spots for easy finishes with a developing feel for keeping the ball moving quickly and precisely. His blend of length and mobility make him a versatile frontcourt piece on the other end as he adds strength to be able to bang more inside. Chester is undoubtedly a gem for the small-college level with a chance to emerge onto the radar of scholarship-level programs if he makes a jump with added reps.     One of the more productive players in the Public League over the past couple years, Dubose got off to a slow start but was key in the second half as Sankofa dropped the hammer on South River (MD). A hard-charging downhill driver, he looked a bit quicker and smoother than we'd seen in the past before finishing athletically near the rim. Previously more of an undersized faceup forward, Dubose showed signs of progressing into a true wing with added polish to his ballhandling and playmaking along with a smoother release on his perimeter stroke. With a track record of production across settings, Dubose's toughness, athleticism, and natural ability to generate buckets downhill should make him a coveted target at the small-college level despite being a bit unorthodox.     Despite a tough loss to a state title contender in Coatesville (PA), Buhrman showed he's ready to take the reigns of the Chambersburg program after years of contributing as a valuable starter. A rangy forward, Buhrman's strength lies in his versatility, as he's a true jack-of-all-trades who's able to do a little bit of everything on either end to help his team win. He's comfortable as a floor-spacer out to the perimeter or opportunistic finisher near the rim, while also showing added elements as an on-ball playmaker with the departure of all-state forward JJ Kelly to Ohio University. While he lacks a bit of strength on the defensive end, Buhrman shows good toughness and instincts to use his length in passing lanes and to contest shots. A plug-and-play forward at the D3 level, he should have the chance to even catch the eye of some of the in-state D2 programs as a long-term piece in a smaller role.     A pleasant surprise on the day despite Holy Ghost's tight loss to Salesianum (DE), Duffy was integral to the Firebirds' success with his size and versatility up front. A new name on our radar, he showed an impressively well-rounded skillset as a classic stretch-'4', spacing out from pick-and-pop, trail, and 5-out situations to drag opposing defenders away from the rim. Duffy showed the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter but was at his best putting the ball down to attack the rim or make plays for his teammates. He's a bit stuck in between positions on D at the scholarship level, but should be a nice piece for a small-college program that values skill in the frontcourt.     Downs was a difference maker in the Sallies' tight win over Holy Ghost Prep (PA), coming off the bench to bury a handful of catch-and-shoot 3s. An established sniper, the well-built wing forward showed a textbook stroke with polished footwork to get squared up quickly out of various actions. He mixed it up by getting into the midrange for his pullup and also showing slick vision on a couple nice passes to open teammates. His shooting while also being able to act as a secondary handler in the halfcourt with size and strength do deploy on the other end should make him a key target for small-colleges throughout the Sallies' quest for a state title.     South River made the trip up I-95 from Maryland and Finn made the most of the opportunity, earning recognition as a standout in both of his games with an impressively well-rounded skillset in the backcourt. With a polished catch-and-shoot stroke, Finn shook free for a big handful of clean attempts from the perimeter, showcasing what looks to be the core of his projected role at the next level. He showed though that he's far from a one-trick pony, putting the ball on the deck smoothly as both a primary and secondary ballhandler with some verve to his finishing and playmaking ability for others. Sitting at the top of his class academically with a smoothly translatable game, Finn should be made a priority for high-academic D3 programs if he isn't already.

City of Basketball Love hosted its 10th annual Interstate Shootout this past weekend, bringing in over 100 teams from across the Philly tri-state area and beyond. After a productive day taking in the action on Sunday, we'll continue coverage with a recap of several seniors we observed who would make great fits at any number of small-college programs across the region.