Behan Strong: Talented Forwards

New readers: Use code Proia30   I attended the annual Behan Strong event honoring former SJC HC Pat Behan, with the proceeds funding his treatment and care for ALS (Link to donate <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-pat-behan-in-his-fight-against-als">here</a>). Four great varsity matchups after a Freshman and JV game was a great environment to catch some high level hoops as we turn the page to a new year. Next, we'll touch on the forwards that stood out. Let's dive in!    7p 9r 3a 1s vs Paul VI   -Liked the defensive effort from the senior F, as Chase spent most of his evening battling against taller prospects and protecting the rim without fouling. He scored off a rip and sweep offensive rebound from corner by scoring a double clutch layup off the window just before the shot clock expired, defended the inbounder then crossed the paint to force a miss on the pass and grab the rebound, and had a key runout and1 lay in transition to make it an 11-point game midway through the 4Q. His ability to show on the perimeter until his guards fight over ball screens and recover to his man unlocks a lot for the Cadets on the defensive end of the floor.     12p 12r 2a 2b 4/9 FG 4/6 FT vs Jackson Reed   -Skilled 4 man had an extremely balanced game in a nice win for Episcopal over Jackson Reed. Kacerauskas knocked down open midrange jumpers, used his pivot extremely well in the paint to maneuver around defenders, and closed out a ton of defensive possessions. Came away impressed with the timing of his two blocks, anticipating his matchup's takeoff and hustling to the spot to block the shots without fouling. No-brainer recruit for high-academic schools.     14p 3r 1s 1b 4/8 FG 6/7 FT vs Ryken   -Came away impressed with Eze's grit and toughness playing through illness to score in double figures for the Saints. Eze came up with some tough catches in traffic and finished well around the rim, hit his FTs, and was in position defensively to protect the rim while guarding up a position or 2 in the paint. His strength and positioning on the block forced a good amount of misses from his opponents, excited to see how he develops over the next two years.     13p 3r 2a 1b 6/11 FG 1/1 FT vs Bullis   -One of the most fundamentally solid post players in the area, Mbuyamba keeps thing simple on the low block. The southpaw post player uses his shoulders well to carve out space around the rim before getting into his move quickly to score. Mbuyamba had a big time post hook down the stretch to make it a 2-possession game for his team and just barely missed a bucket before the buzzer that would've forced overtime. Want to see him use his frame and rebounding instincts to give the Purple Eagles a consistent double-double presence on the block to balance the offense of a very young group.     6p 5r 3/5 FG 17 mins vs St. Mary's   -More prospect than player right now, there were still some encouraging flashes from the low post prospect throughout his minutes against St. Mary's. Hyman scored with the right-handed post hook midway through the 1H then caught and finished dumpoff passes in traffic around the rim to convert for his team. Want to see him communicate more often and loudly on the back line of the defense to give his teammates consistent direction to defend ball screens and bump cutters both on the perimeter in the paint. But there is a ton of upside to like here.

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