Second NEPSAC Showcase: Friday's 6 Best Performers

This weekend, I'll be attending the NEPSAC Showcase at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA. Games will be going all day Friday-Sunday, and I'll be in the gym throughout.   Below are the seven best performers from Friday, in my humble opinion.    Scarf has incredible physical tools and skill. The 6-foot-8 forward really impressed me with his finishing ability last weekend, and that shined again today. He has good touch with both hands and runs the floor hard. What makes him so intriguing, though, is the three-point shooting and budding closeout attack ability that he has. He's getting more and more comfortable on the perimeter with the ball in his hands, and he's extremely tough despite his wiry and skinny frame. Scarf also runs the floor like a madman and is in phenomenal shape for his size. Definite scholarship prospect who could even crack the high-major ranks with a huge season for MacDuffie.     Anwar showed off an extremely impressive three-level scoring arsenal today. The 6-foot-7 forward has phenomenal strength, so he can bully opposing forwards and wings inside the paint and then create easy finishing opportunities for himself, which he converts with his nice touch using both hands. He can also shoot from the outside and has a knack for little one-footed fall away shots in the paint, which make him an even more versatile scorer. He knows how to use his body, he can defend multiple positions, and he plays the right way—seems like a scholarship prospect to me who should be a key piece for Kimball Union this season.     Penix is continuing his D1 ascent. The 6-foot-5 combo-guard showed off an impressive three-level scoring arsenal this afternoon. He uses his length exceptionally well at the hoop for above-the-rim finishes, he uses his strength quite effectively in the midrange to bump off defenders and create space for easy looks, and he has a really nice shooting stroke from three that keeps defenders honest. He also draws tons of fouls and takes contact effortlessly. Penix has the physical tools, skillset, and shooting to make him a surefire D1 prospect in my eyes, and he'll have a good chance to prove that this season for a high-level Winchendon squad.     Earle has been incredible as of late. The rising junior has pretty special strength and athleticism for a guard of his size/age. Opposing players completely bounce off of him on drives to the paint, and he does an excellent job finishing above the rim once he creates initial space. What impressed me most today, though, was his ability to take and make contested, off-the-dribble threes. His Wilbraham and Monson squad wasn't able to create great offense, so he took it upon himself to make some of his own. Earle is starting to get some scholarship offers, but more are going to come for him once he's a rising senior. I wouldn't be shocked to see him at the high-major level eventually.     Meritt's the type of guy who just moves like a high-major guard. The 6-foot-3 rising senior is extremely wiry and lanky but handles the rock like it's a part of his body and gets wherever he wants on the floor as a result. His stop-and-go, herky-jerky dribbling style makes him slippery and very difficult to stay in front of because he changes speeds and directions so effortlessly. He also has a knack for finishing at the rim with great control and poise—his slow-step moves are super impressive, for example. Merrit should be the engine of a talented New Hampton team this season and will probably see scholarship interest pick up.     Callahan is the straw that stirs the drink for one of the better teams I saw today: St. Thomas More. The 6-foot-4 point-forward/wing does literally everything on the basketball floor besides shoot. Like, literally everything. He's a great driver and has a special knack for finishing with his strong left hand, but he also makes incredible decisions once he touches the paint and is able to see over the defense which helps him make even more passes. Callahan also defends and rebounds his behind off; he's a special competitor and has so much fun while hooping. Mid major programs should recruit the heck out of this kid.

This weekend, I'll be attending the NEPSAC Showcase at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA. Games will be going all day Friday-Sunday, and I'll be in the gym throughout.