CHSL Quarters: Hard Hat Prospects

New readers: Use code Fourth50     I pulled up to DeMatha Catholic to check out all 4 playoff games tonight 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. It's great seeing prospects give great effort at both ends of the floor, especially in summer league play, so those that do leave it all out there deserve the extra recognition. Let's dive into the top standouts that I saw yesterday!      20p 8r 2a 2s vs Flint Hill   -The big fella continues to turn in high-efficiency performances (9/12 FG) despite playing pretty heavy minutes for a Bullis group that needs the presence that he brings to the table. The game has slowed down for Potter and he is able to process things more quickly on the fly to rotate better to help to contest shots and secure defensive rebounds to ignite fastbreaks going the other way. Potter won't physically wow you but has learned how to use his size and a pretty quick second jump to finish in tight spaces around the basket whether he is putting up the shot or hitting the putback. He is beginning to find cutters from the short corner--even when double-teamed-- and is both keeping the ball high and going straight up into a finishing move to cut down on turnovers around the rim. He will need to have a big day for Bullis in a matchup tonight against a DeMatha front line that has been playing at a high level.     15p 3r 1a 3s vs Walter Johnson   -The skillbase is coming along nicely for Tchoubfong as he shot the ball at a high clip (50/65/100 shooting splits) in a nice win to advance to the semifinals. Tchoubfong knocked down perimeter jumpers off the catch, used a strong frame to bully his way to the rim, and was a disruptive force for the Falcons at the defensive end of the floor. The handle has improved to take advantage of some nice burst as a prospect that should step into a much bigger role this season with GC as a guard prospect with a nice long-term ceiling.     7p 7r 2a 1s vs Walter Johnson   -Came in off the bench to matchup with the opposing best player and used his physicality to get up under his opponent to make him work both on the glass and on post-ups. McLoughlin came up with some big O boards and assists for 3s to widen the lead from 13 to 24 as Good Counsel overwhelmed WJ with their collective depth. It was my first viewing of the rising sophomore so I am looking forward to getting a better feel for his ball skills. But a rhythm face up 3 from the wing splashed through hitting nothing but net. He could be in for some big minutes again tonight against a Takoma Academy team that features a deep backcourt.     17p 7r 6/14 FG vs Good Counsel   -Heavy minutes in both AAU and the HS season affected his legs towards the end of the game, but the skillset is apparent with the talent sophomore prospect as he gave it all he got against a pretty deep stable of GC wing defenders. Williams hit a stepback 3 that touched nothing but net, had a baseline spin to get away from the double team before he hit a double clutch floater, knocked down an elbow jumper off the bounce, and wove through traffic to hit a reverse layup to beat the press. He should be a big riser in our next set of updated rankings later this month once AAU season is complete and our scouts have more opportunities to see what he can do on the floor.     8p 4r 1s 3b vs St. Mary's   -Farley brought his hardhat to this performance in a productive 13 minutes of tick in a nice win for the home Stags. Farley scored off a nice seal under the rim, recovered nicely at the defensive end of the floor to block two shots on-ball and swatted away another layup as a helper, and threw down a 1-handed spike in transition after collecting a steal. He brings in an intriguing blend of motor, athleticism, defensive versatility, and finishing ability as an undersized forward prospect that makes the most of his opportunities.     27p 16r 1s 1b (58% shooting)   -The top statistical performer of the day, the rising junior prospect really battled and almost brought his team all the way back from a 13 points down. On a day when the perimeter jumper wasn't falling, Franklin rushed into the paint to rebound his misses to extend possessions to run a set or score immediately with a putback around the rim. Franklin turned a steal into an AND1 lay at the rim, sprinted hard to get out in front of his matchup in transition to throw down a 1-handed dunk, and closed out possessions with a defensive rebound to fuel the afore-mentioned run. His blend of size, motor, and skillset should make him arguably the top impact transfer in the league as Bullis looks to push for an IAC title.     17p 8r 2a 1s vs Potomac   -Gutsy performance from the rising senior as he made several huge plays down the stretch to close out a hard-fought win for TA. Smith showed his speed and bounce on several transition dunks and extension layups at the rim, fought amongst the trees in the paint to come up with several big rebounds, hit a huge pull-up jumper from the top of the key to put his team up late, then hit the game-clinching free throws to advance to the semifinals. Smith will need to put in another dynamic 2-way performance against the 2 seed Good Counsel Falcons to push his team to the chip.

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