CHSL: Final Four's Best W/F Prospects

New readers: Use code Fourth50     I pulled up to DeMatha Catholic to check out some summer league action in a single-elimination bracket second playoff round of basketball. I got to see teams from all 3 states in the DMV compete with their HS group fresh off of scholastic live period competition, which was a quick turnaround for several of the teams. Let's dive into the top wings and forward prospects that I saw this week!      18p 12r 2a 1b vs Takoma; 27p 10r 1a 2s vs Bullis   -Tchoubfong was probably the most impressive performer and biggest stockriser this week as a 2/3 tweener that impacts the game at both ends of the floor. He's made significant improvements to his handle to become both a better slasher and a better passer off a live dribble from the top of the key. The consistency in his release and work off the floor has built him into a legitimate C+S threat from the perimeter to raise his ceiling as a prospect. Love that--despite the improvements to his perimeter game-- he still uses his size to hit the glass heavily at both ends of the floor. Should be due for a sizable leap in our next rankings update.     16p 7r 1a 1s vs DeMatha; 13p 7r 1a 1s 1b vs Good Counsel   -The CHSL MVP has gotten plenty of love from our scouts in the past few weeks but earned a little more with his play in new threads with Bullis en route to a CHSL championship. I thought that his assertive play to erase a DM lead coming out of halftime was key in a big semifinal win to propel his team into the championship game, then to close out the title game win over his former team and younger brother. Love the versatility that he brings at the defensive end of the floor as a prospect that has bought in to guarding multiple spots and being more vocal in ball screen situations to lead a very young Bullis group. The consistency of his effort and leadership over his senior season should propel his recruitment to new heights along with the success of his team.     15p 11r 1s 1b vs Takoma   -Tarkang took full advantage of a matchup with an undersized frontcourt to affect the game on the glass with his size and physicality. Tarkang scored several times off putbacks, has improved his touch around the rim to score with his back to the basket or faced up from the short corner, and came up with some huge timely rebounds for his team. Tarkang knocked down a baseline jumper off the catch, showed sharper defensive rotations on the back line to block one shot and challenge several others, and has improved his positioning to mitigate the effectiveness of opposing ball screens with his shows up the line.     15p 3r 1a 1b vs Bullis   -The athletic flashes are REALLY real for perhaps the highest upside prospect in the local 2027 class. Jeffers served as a lob threat in transition on several possessions for 2-handed finishes above the rim, had a short roll catch and floater off 2 feet from the short corner that hit nothing but net, and showed some improved defensive instincts to stay down on a pump fake and block the shot before he outletted the rebound to go the other way. While I want to see him play more aggressively on the glass to harness his physical tools to impact games on a more consistent basis, it's cool to see how far he's already come in the last 18 months.     18p 10r 1a 2s vs Bullis   -Almost always come away impressed with the motor that Abass shows on the glass but also liked both the simplicity and effectiveness of his post moves around the basket. Abass scored off of putbacks of other's shots as well as two of his own misses, scored off a spin move reverse layup off the window, effectively used a drop step to power his way to the rim, and showed a nice touch around the basket. His lateral quickness has improved to form a more versatile defender that can contain guards until his teammate fights over ball screens in the half court to sharpen the defensive execution of his team.     7p 6r 2b vs Takoma   -The athletic flashes really stood out for the rising senior on several plays throughout a productive run of playing time in the 2H. Bancroft raced back into the frame to block a shot on-ball, scored off a hop step then up fake layup off the window, and snagged an O board just outside the paint before he got to the rim with a pro hop and finished with a floater. The speed, timing, and vertical leaping ability shone through on a huge chasedown block off the window in transition that ignited a run for Good Counsel that put the game out of reach for good.

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