Previewing the Preview: Saturday Matchups Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday's schedule at The Preview is loaded with intriguing matchups between established city powers, programs looking to take the next step and prospects ready to introduce themselves to a wider audience. With so much talent taking the floor, the slate deserves to be broken into two parts. Here is a closer look at the first group of Saturday games worth watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10:15 AM - Brooklyn Collegiate (NY) vs St. Anthony's (NY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> If Friday's headline is a collection of great guard matchups, it is only right that a battle between big men kicks things off on Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id='3764444' first='Matt' last='Morris'] enters his first varsity season and will likely be tasked with slowing rapidly ascending forward [player_tooltip player_id='3644625' first='Sean' last='Morrissey'] on the other end. There is also an intriguing matchup between talented 2028 guards, as [player_tooltip player_id='3623161' first='Kahmel' last='Wilmot'] and King Pearson are two tough distributors college programs should have on their radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11:30 AM - Eagle Academy III (NY) vs Monsignor McClancy (N</strong>Y)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> Two of the city's most electric, albeit slightly undersized, guards will go head-to-head when Eagle's [player_tooltip player_id='3684217' first='Nysaun' last='Ballinger'] faces McClancy's [player_tooltip player_id='2234124' first='Brayden' last='Ojeda']. Both guards possess high-level handles, play with confidence and are capable of creating offense from well beyond the three-point line. Once either player sees a couple of shots fall, he can quickly take control of a game and force the opposing defense to adjust. Their ability to push the pace, break defenders down off the dribble and make difficult shots should result in a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. Whichever guard does the better job of remaining aggressive while also creating quality opportunities for his teammates could ultimately determine the outcome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12:45 PM - Eagle Academy I (NY) vs Roselle Catholic (NJ)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> Arguably the best of the first four games—and one of the top matchups of the entire day—Eagle against Roselle features intriguing battles throughout both lineups. None is more enticing than [player_tooltip player_id='2899993' first='Javion' last='Chappell'] against [player_tooltip player_id='3725380' first='Lawrence' last='Jones']. The two wings play hard on both ends, rebound well from the perimeter and have shined with their new teams throughout the late summer and fall. There are several other new faces worth watching on both rosters. Kal-El Lawson has been a spark plug for Eagle since arriving, while the early returns on [player_tooltip player_id='3759309' first='Dylan' last='Brunson'] have been highly promising for Roselle. This game has all the makings of fireworks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2:00 PM - Our Savior Lutheran (NY) vs St. Dominic (NY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to Watch For:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2473576' first='Yandel' last='German'] has used the Spring and Summer to cement himself as one of the top 2027s playing high school ball in New York this season, and should pilot the ship vs St. Dominic. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2780659' first='Josue' last='Manya'] will hold things down in the middle, but it's a special 2030 class that could set the tone for their first high school season vs the Long Island power. JJ Smith has looked every bit like an elite guard prospect through the Winter and Spring, while 6-foot-10 big man Freddy Bopanzie already got Grind Session experience last season. Rounding that group out is Olatunji Karimu, a 6-foot-3 wing guard who an athletic and active slasher. After an injury plagued season last year, the Falcons appear in line for a bounce-back season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->