BCL Quarters: Impact Underclass W/F

New readers: Use code Proia30     Sunday's Quarterfinals slate at the BCL tournament had a ton of high performers in a lively atmosphere at Loyola University (MD). The strength of the Baltimore Catholic League is largely in the younger classes, with the next wave of local talent already performing at a high level in big roles with their respective teams. Let's break down some of the standout wings and forward prospects that will continue playing in the BCL the next few seasons!    19p 5r 2a 2b 9/13 FG vs John Carroll   -Avery showed the full skillset as a wing that can take his matchup off the bounce, hit midrange jumpers off of movement, be a dynamic play-finisher in transition, and serve as a mobile shot-blocker on the backline. Nash started things off with a baseline pullup going right, knocked down a face up 1-dribble J from the left elbow, threw down two alley oop finishes, dove to the rim off the back screen to catch and finish through contact, and showed a much-improved motor running the floor hard at both ends. His mobility in ball screen coverages will be crucial in the semifinal tonight against a SFA team that likes to play with pace.     20p 8r 2b vs MSJ   -Probably the most well-rounded performance that I've seen from Stanfield as he got to the line, scored through contact around the rim, knocked down a C+S 3, and got to his spots for midrange pull-ups throughout the game. The signs of maturity have continued, as Stanfield is growing on me as a prospect that is developing more of a next-play mentality that is aiding him at both ends of the court. The sophomore had a great duel with Simley, with the skilled wings trading shots and finishes at the rim throughout the game but especially the 3Q. Stanfield finished through the contact in transition several times, hit a C+S 3 from the wing, lifted to the top of key for a catch and face 18' jumper, poked out a steal then scored through the contact at the other end, scored the putback on a free throw attempt, rotated over well to block shots on the weak side twice, and had a beautiful spin and baseline pullup on the left side that hit nothing but net over the double-team.     16p 5r 3s 1b vs OLMC   -Eze was the only Saint in double figures at half and it was because of his off-ball movement to give him open jumpers and flashes to the rim for quick finishes before the defense could react. Thought that he did a good job of doing his work early on the glass, boxing out for position as soon as the shot went up to be in the right spot for his team. Defensively he was huge for the Saints-grinding on the back line with a deep OLMC frontcourt rotation to force several turnovers, jump passing lanes to collect steals, and collect shots without fouling. His motor has stood out in each viewing, and if he continues to work at his craft, he has some intriguing upside.     12p 7r 3a 3s vs St. Mary's   -Liked Spears' activity and utility within the SFA rotation to serve as an effective help defender that has the lateral mobility to guard on an island at this young stage in his career. Spears started things off by showing that defensive versatility with a steal and dunk by blitzing a passing lane at the top of the key. His feel for where to be in help on the back line of SFA's fullcourt defensive schemes let to 2 more steals and the handle-while not all the way there yet- is good enough to move to space before finding a guard to initiate the fastbreak. His sprinting endurance kept opposing players out of the key in transition to force up long shots and long rebounds that ignited the SFA transition offense that eventually put the game away. Intrigued to track his development this summer to see what he is capable of as a shooter and finisher around the rim.     14p 6r 2b vs St. Mary's   -Mancho's motor, communication skills on the back line, and sheer size in the paint make him such a valuable piece for this Cougars group. Mancho started things off when he raced back to pin a block on the glass, showed the footwork development on a post catch and step through between the double team to score it off the window, hit a 1-handed putback through the foul, scored off a reverse pivot in traffic, and showed hard on PnR coverages. The touch around the rim was off for most of the day with Mancho missing his first shot but getting his own rebound to stick the putback several times. His unselfish play has given his team a nice boost throughout the season and he will have to man the paint well the rest of the way against some of the best frontcourts in the league.     -Offensively, the sophomore isn't there yet as he is still getting his legs back after returning from injury a few weeks ago. But defensively I love his impact as a roving shot-blocker that takes pride in protecting the rim both as an on and off-ball defender. He's developing a better feel for when to sink to the short corner area and when to time his cuts to the rim to receive dropoff passes for easy finishes around the rim. But I would bet on him developing into a 3+D 4-man over time that should make a heavy impact beyond the box score as his unselfish play is conducive to winning.

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