EPL WRA: Friday Top Performers

I attended the opening day of Elite Prep League action at Western Reserve Academy on Friday and in this article I'll break down the top performers from Friday's action.    The top scorer in the EPL, Ruey Ruey was getting buckets on Friday afternoon, leading Massanutten to a tough conference victory and scoring 36 points in the process. A talented wing scorer, Ruey has a quick first step and hit shots both off the catch and dribble. Only holding a couple of offers, Ruey seems like one of the bigger sleepers in the country and a name who could blow up in the final few months of his high school career. If Ruey takes a jump as a quick decision maker, he could instantly be one of the toughest covers in whatever league he ends up in. his only offer in the past year is Vermont according to his personal twitter account.     A post grad prospect now in Ohio, Lokhmanchuk was active on both ends of the floor for Andrew's Osborne Academy on Friday afternoon. Lokhmanchuk's length allows him to block shots, jump passing lanes and secure offensive rebounds for extra possessions. A fluid athlete in the open court, Lokhmanchuk has a ton of upside on a team that wants to run in transition. One of the top available 2026 prospects in Ohio, Lokhmanchuk has taken visits to UTEP and Youngstown State and could be nearing a commitment.     Spire took quick care of business in a battle between a team at the top and a team at the bottom of the EPL standings. Alexander was productive with quick passing decisions against the zone defense, and I was also impressed with how he used his left hand as a driver, passer and finisher. A guard who wants to defend the full length of the court, Alexander is a hard hat type worker on the hardwood. Another impressive win for Spire Post Grad who have a handful of Division I commits up and down their roster.     AIA won the game of the day in a thrilling contest that saw Lott hit the game-winning bucket with 13 seconds left on an and-1 layup. Lott played with confidence as a hard left-hand driver and used jab steps and spin moves to get back to his preferred hand to finish. Solid athlete with a quick first step, Lott wanted to get downhill and more often than not was able to generate paint touches off the dribble. Impressive versatile wing athlete who made some big plays late in the win.     Whorton has made clear strides for AIA after an impressive career at Akron STVM in the OHSAA. Whorton has improved as a shooter, knocking down a pick and pop, a kickout and even a one dribble 3-pointer. Maybe his biggest strides have been with his post-game as Whorton had multiple buckets when he caught the ball with his back to the basket and he made a quick move to score. A prospect who I thought was a surefire Division II or NAIA target as a high school senior, Whorton has improved his stock with this post grad season, and it wouldn't stun me if he eventually contributes at the Division I level, even if he starts at Division II, NAIA or JUCO.     I was a big fan of Norcome, one of the top defenders and transition athletes in the entire EPL. Making multiple above the rim finishes with layups and dunks, Norcome is a wing you cannot give a running start to the rim or he will try to dunk on your head. I was impressed by his toughness, looking to front the post and play physical Vs a team that relies heavily on their frontcourt to create offense. Norcome also knocked down a pair of mid-range jumpers, showing his ability to rise up over smaller defenders. Despite the tough loss, I was impressed with how organized Mt. Zion Prep played and their team didn't back down from the challenge all game long.     Western Reserve Academy had a sluggish first half and then blew the doors off Winton Salem in the second half to cruise to a victory on their home court in EPL play. Hailey was impressive as the future UMASS Minuteman was getting downhill and playing off two feet. When Hailey plays off two feet it allows him to balance himself before going up for a layup and he can use pump fakes and pivots to get defenders jumping or leaning the wrong way to contest his shots. This also is where Hailey generates most of his free throws and he had a couple and-1 finishes on Friday.

I attended the opening day of Elite Prep League action at Western Reserve Academy on Friday and in this article I'll break down the top performers from Friday's action.