Xavieran Classic: Momentum Shifters

New readers: Use code Proia30   The annual Xaverian Classic always is a good opportunity to see top local talent square off against high-level teams from neighboring states as well as a few national teams from across the country. Within the classic there is a bracket play tournament as well as showcase games throughout the 3-day weekend that give the fans and media members a good mix of competitive matchups. Let's dive into the Dynamic Forwards from this event!    15p 5a 2s vs Holy Cross   -It was the tale of two halves, love the fight that Desire played with to help spark a G Prep comeback in an eventual win over a scrappy Holy Cross team. Desire hit a floater off the window to get it started, did a great job of pivoting around defenders to feed his center on the low block, had B2B dimes to cutters, then he REALLY turned it up. Desire peeled around his matchup to jump a passing lane to take it 94 feet and finish with a running hook layup around the defenders, hit an acrobatic falling layup with the left through contact, caught a pass in a tight window in the dunker's spot to lay it up, then closed out the game with two dagger threes from the corner. Loved his response coming out of a timeout right before that run to ratchet up the ball pressure to allow his defense to ignite his offense.     17p 1r 3a 1b 2s vs IMG   -Smith-Bey was aggressive from start to finish in a game where IMG shot a ridiculously high percentage from the field, not allowing the deficit to deter his efforts at both ends of the floor. Smith-Bey started things off by getting to the line, put pressure on the rim, hit a corner 3, and had a face cut from the corner for the and-1 lay at the rim. His best play of the game was a pro hop straight into a dunk on a defender in a meet-me-at-the-rim moment (found <a href="https://x.com/NewWorldAAU/status/1997830475520569590?s=20">here</a>). The offensive feel is coming along but the value that he brings defensively as a guy that can provide POA ball pressure, play passing lanes, and fight to front bigs without fouling makes him a super valuable piece for this Cadets group.     19p 1a 1r 2s 5/9 3P 7/13 FG vs G Prep   -The young fella came out with guns blazing in matchup with Georgetown Prep team to the tune of 4/5 from beyond the arc to start the game. Bey used that shooting gravity to begin attacking the closeouts or by making unselfish one-more hockey assist passes to teammates to keep the ball flowing. Love that he toed the line as a confident shooter that isn't afraid to let it fly but wants the right shot for his team. With three more years to grow his game, I wouldn't be surprised to see him develop into a well-rounded shooter that can just as easily finish in the paint around the rim.     8p 3r 1 chg 1s vs Jackson Reed   -Spence came off the bench in the Xaverian Classic Championship game and immediately got to work-- speeding up ballhandlers with excellent defensive footwork and starting off the scoring with a deeeep catch+shoot three that hit nothing but net. Spence also drew a charge that halted the momentum that JR had built up before following it up with a steal and extension lay at the other end. Each of those plays came during a crucial stretch in the game as he gave his team a big boost en route to a Xaverian Classic title.         2p 4r 1a 1b vs Jackson Reed   -Tarkang is more prospect than player right now, but Tarkang should receive a nice boost in our next set of updated rankings as he really left an impression on our scouts. Tarkang has big shoulders and a strong upper body with a sturdy core, but he moves pretty well for a player his size on the perimeter/in ball screens-- and he did a great job of using that length to be disruptive at the defensive end of the floor. Really interested to see how he develops the ball skills as he begins to build a career as a defensive stopper on the wing.     18p 6r 3a 1s 1b vs SJC   -Love Scott's approach to the game as a prospect that never gets too high or too low while always knowing when to swoop in to make a play. His activity on the glass and versatility at both ends of the floor makes him valuable as a plug-n-play piece that can fit with most anybody on a basketball roster. Scott relocated well to the corner for a three in the secondary break, snagged an O board and rifled it out to a shooter on the perimeter for a 3, had a beautiful high pickup over a smaller defender in transition to draw the and1, and finished it off with a smooth dime to the backdoor cutter. His ability to get into a rhythm at his size and skillset from beyond the arc really bodes well for his long-term future-- going 5/8 on the day from 3.

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