Previewing the Preview: Friday Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Preview has established itself as one of New York City's premier preseason events, annually bringing together many of the area's top programs and prospects before the official start of the high school season. To comply with rules governing school teams participating in preseason events, teams compete under club names. The schools referenced throughout this article identify the programs those clubs represent. With high-level individual matchups, breakout candidates and several potential league contenders in attendance, Friday night's slate should provide an early look at some of the city's most intriguing teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5:30 PM - Monsignor Scanlan (NY) vs Forest Hills (NY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> The matchup between [player_tooltip player_id='3035533' first='Akeem' last='McLaren'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3684243' first='Aaron' last='Tutt'] is about as elite of a New York City point guard battle as possible this season and should be well worth the price of admission. Both guards excel at balancing their own scoring with setting the table for their teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='3724509' first='Miles' last='Dulin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2780652' first='Jamel' last='Jordan'] provide another interesting clash between off-ball guards with very different strengths. At its core, this is a quality matchup between two dark-horse teams that are both capable of winning their respective leagues this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6:45 PM - Staten Island Academy (NY) vs Martin Van Buren (NY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> It is a new era for SIA under Laron Mapp, and All-State selection Gabe Moschella will be counted on to help usher it in. After averaging 15.5 points last season, the senior guard enters as the most proven player on the roster. On the other side, [player_tooltip player_id='3035543' first='Sharif' last='Croom'] begins his junior year with big expectations after averaging just under 14 points and 9.5 rebounds as a sophomore. This matchup features two under-the-radar guards who should capture much more of the city's attention this season.<br><br><strong>8:00 PM - Thomas Jefferson (NY) vs St. Francis Prep (NY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> There is no shortage of talent in what may be the most entertaining game of the evening on paper. Jefferson's up-tempo style will provide an interesting test for a St. Francis Prep team with plenty of talent in the frontcourt and on the wing. The early word out of Fresh Meadows is that sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3501054' first='Austin' last='Dottin'] is in line for a massive jump. On the other side, Uniondale transfer [player_tooltip player_id='3701802' first='Dylan' last='Hickman'] looks like a strong addition for the Orange Wave, while fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='3277039' first='Kamari' last='Johnson'] is one of the more intriguing under-the-radar 2028 prospects in the city. Johnson should draw a matchup with [player_tooltip player_id='2879140' first='Eli' last='Murray'], one of the city's elite prospects. In the end, [player_tooltip player_id='3437260' first='Keishaun' last='White'] could be the difference-maker. The 6-foot-7 bruiser has the ability to take over around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9:15 PM - Achievement First (NY) vs St. John's Prep (NY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the PSAL's most established programs at any level will take on a new-look St. John's Prep team that will have someone other than DaQuan Bryant running the point for the first time in years. The Red Storm did not waste any time replenishing their backcourt. Newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='3737224' first='Nate' last='Jackson'], Khalil Nicholas and AJ Menzies should all play significant minutes alongside returnees Rich Fernandez and [player_tooltip player_id='3730333' first='Nifonas' last='Tryfonos']. Wing [player_tooltip player_id='3727032' first='Divine' last='Olowoyo'] rounds out a junior class that will play a major role in SJP's pursuit of a third consecutive Class A title. Friday night's test against the high-scoring trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2859528' first='Tyler' last='Romeo'], [player_tooltip player_id='3497957' first='Jayveon' last='Jones'] and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='3737227' first='Nick' last='Jackson']—Nate's brother—should be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->