CHSAA Intersectional Quarterfinals: Standout underclassmen

The CHSAA "AA" Intersectional Quarterfinals took place on Sunday at Fordham and saw Holy Cross, Archbishop Stepinac, Monsignor Scanlan, and Cardinal Hayes advance to Wednesday's semifinals. Keep reading for a look at a handful of underclassmen who stood out over the course of the day.    The most productive underclassman in the league over the past two years, Wilson continued the trend with a versatile impact throughout the Holy Cross win. A modern inside-out forward, he finished with a workmanlike 16 points to go with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Wilson looks to have added some height to his frame since the start of the season and was consistently imposing his will around the basket with his blend of length, athleticism, and skill. He cashed in effectively from the foul line and showed impressive glimpses of his expanding arsenal attacking off the dribble from the perimeter. Wilson strikes a strong balance between current production and long-term upside, making him one of the state's most appealing prospects.     Growing into his role over the course of the winter, Miller shined the brightest on his biggest stage yet to lead Holy Cross through to the semifinals. The freshman lead guard scored a team-high 17 points on efficient 6-for-9 shooting, showcasing precocious poise and composure for his age given the circumstance. He was masterful operating off the dribble both with and without a screen, weaving into the lane with advanced pace and an airtight handle. Miller was also able to slide off-ball in spurts and pose a consistent threat as a shooter from the perimeter. He would also convert a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to effectively ice the game for good. Miller tracks early on as one of the more advanced lead guards in the region.     Coming off the bench and providing a massive spark as Nazareth nearly pulled off a thrilling comeback, Narcisse showed as much long-term upside as nearly anybody that took the court all day. The scoring guard was dynamic from the second he stepped on the floor, attacking in the halfcourt with an alluring blend of skill, feel, and athletic twitch. He was seemingly impossible to keep out of the lane with a sudden handle and explosive first step, showcasing impressive vertical athleticism as a finisher and intriguing passing feel on the move. Narcisse looked to be a dangerous shooter both off the catch and pull, with the physical tools to develop into a high-level backcourt defender. His length, energy, and scoring instincts give him an exciting foundation to build on with a chance to attract high-level suitors in due time.     Moving into Scanlan's starting lineup down the stretch of the season, Jordan continued his breakout year with a double-figure effort to help steer the Crusaders to the win. Mostly a JV player a year ago, Jordan stands out immediately with his length and fluid athleticism in the backcourt. He was effective on Sunday in leveraging his length and quickness to find his way into the lane and make plays off the bounce. Jordan also showed smooth mechanics on his jumper with comfortable touch from both the perimeter and midrange. His fastbreak dunk helped provide the exclamation point in the fourth quarter. He'll have a real chance to garner D1 attention heading into his 16U grassroots campaign.     Adjusting to a new role off the bench, McLaren showed no signs of discomfort, still playing significant minutes and contributing a mature double-figure effort to Scanlan's upset win. The sophomore lead guard would score 13 points on just seven shots, playing efficiently with his decisionmaking and shot selection. He showed added comfort as a shooter from the perimeter with a repeatable, compact stroke and was also able to navigate into the paint off the dribble to make plays for his teammates. McLaren also stood out with his toughness defending at the point of attack. He's on the smaller side and not the most explosive athlete but his skill level and steely confidence should see him attract D1 recruitment moving forward.

The CHSAA "AA" Intersectional Quarterfinals took place on Sunday at Fordham and saw Holy Cross, Archbishop Stepinac, Monsignor Scanlan, and Cardinal Hayes advance to Wednesday's semifinals. Keep reading for a look at a handful of underclassmen who stood out over the course of the day.