Retooled Roster Has Shipley School on the Come Up

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Darrien-Grady-7-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1049774 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Darrien-Grady-7-2-177x300.jpg" alt="" width="177" height="300" /></a>After posting 15 wins in 2019-20 and making an appearance in the Friends School League Semi-finals (respectable loss to national powerhouse Westtown), the Shipley School (Lower Merion, PA) basketball program appeared poised to make the jump to the next level in the FSL. Then summer 2020 happened and the Philadelphia area became the city of basketball transfers. Unfortunately the Gators were not immune to the trend, as returning starter and All-League performer [player_tooltip player_id="991212" first="Khalil" last="Farmer"] departed Shipley and took his talents to North Broad Street in Philly (Roman Catholic HS). Still, Shipley Head Coach Phil D’Ambrosio and his staff didn’t hang their heads and sing the blues over Farmer’s transfer. Instead they got to work and hauled in a group of transfers that should combine nicely with their returning players and a group of freshman with tremendous upside. They may not challenge nationally ranked Westtown for the FSL title this season, but Shipley hoops should be a threat very soon. Returning Contributors: [player_tooltip player_id="991117" first="Andrew" last="Makrides"] / 6’5” / Senior / Forward: A senior captain and the only returning Shipley starter from last season, Makrides is considered a valuable leader for this squad. He is a high energy big who can run rim to rim. He is excellent on the glass especially at chase down rebounds outside the paint. Makrides owns good footwork and can to finish at the rim with either hand. Plays with Team Final Red on the grassroots circuit. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Great passer! Being recruited by high academic D3’s and hearing from some D2’s. Tommy Dee / 6’2” / Senior / Guard: An athletic and quick guard who can knock down the open shot, Dee is a “glue guy” for the Gators who will be expected to provide leadership, experience and consistent play during this quick rebuild. A multi-sport athlete, Dee drains jumpers all winter then transitions into a clutch hitter for Shipley’s baseball team in the spring. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Senior captain who is a team first guy and a positive locker room influence. Justin Powell / 6’3” / Sophomore / Guard-Forward: Powell is a tremendous athlete who has been on the Gators’ varsity roster since he was in 8th grade. He excels at dribble penetration and is equally good at going right or left off the bounce. Once in the paint, Powell can finish in traffic or use his excellent court vision and passing skills to drop a dime on an open teammate. Powell also has a solid jump shot. As a bonus to his offensive skill set, this sophomore is a ball hawk on the defensive end. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Fundamentally sound player who plays within himself. He’s unselfish and has a knack for rebounding. Transfers: Deywilk Tavarez / 6’2” / Sophomore / Guard: The former Highland HS (NJ) scoring machine averaged 15 ppg, 5 rpg., and 3 apg. last season. In 2019-20 at Highland, Tavarez scored 20+ points seven times, including 27 vs. Deptford (NJ) and 28 against Wildwood (NJ). Tavarez kills defenses with his well-rounded skill set. He can get out in transition and score by slashing to the hoop. In the half court, he is deadly with the three point shot or he can put the ball on the deck to score in the paint. At the 2019 Pangos All-East Fr/So Camp, Tavarez was selected as a Top 60 game Co-MVP. Plays AAU for the South Jersey Titans (NJ). Coach D’Ambrosio says: Good shooter with sound fundamentals and a great feel for the game. [player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] – 5’10’ / Sophomore / Point Guard: A freshman starter and leading scorer (25 ppg.) for Moorestown Friends (NJ) last winter, Grady notched four games where he scored 32 or more points and a 44-point performance against Abington Friends that was ridiculous. Grady has shown no signs of letting up this summer. Playing for Philly Pride, Grady was hitting stand still threes from way downtown (56 3PM in 2019-20 HS season) and reasonable distance treys off pick action. When defenses chase him of the 3-point line, he can score off the dribble in the mid-range or get all the way to the tin. In recent runs, Grady has displayed the ability to find the open teammate and pass out of the double team. As with most elite level point guards, he possess a high basketball IQ. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Quick floor general who loves to facilitate and be a pest on the defensive side. Led all freshman in scoring last year averaging 25 ppg. Earned Friends League Honorable Mention honors as a frosh. Raijon DiSpensa / 6’7” / Sophomore / Forward: A long and versatile athlete who can score on the interior in a variety of ways, in 2019-20 DiSpensa was a reserve for the Haverford School (Haverford, PA). DiSpensa is also a sneaky good three point shooter. Penn Charter (Wynnewod, PA) learned that last January when DiSpensa drained three contested treys on PC in a big win for his former school. He recently posted 22 & 12 during a Difference Makers Elite Underclassmen Open Run (Cherry Hill, NJ) and showed that he is putting in work on his offensive game. DiSpensa plays AAU for New World out of Virginia / Maryland. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Decent shooter from deep and good touch around the rim. Decent handle which will allow him to play on the perimeter as well Bo Donaldson / 5’11” / Junior / Combo Guard: Donaldson is a good shooter with developing ball handling skills who in 2019-20 served as a high energy reserve for Friends Central (Wynnewod, PA). He owns decent finishing skills and as he adds muscle to his frame, that skill set should become an effective weapon for him. Donaldson currently projects as a high level D-III player. A talented, two-sport athlete (basketball & baseball) Donaldson’s father was selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 1997 MLB Draft. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Decent 3-point shooter and secondary ball handler. Plays unselfishly and is a sound decision maker. Alex Makrides / 6’2” / Junior / Combo Guard: A solid athlete with a tireless work ethic, Makrides is a high percentage 3- point shooter with developing point guard skills. As a bonus to his offensive skills, Makrides is a sneaky good defender who is capable of locking down an opposing guard. Recently on the grassroots circuit Makrides posted an outstanding game for his L&L Rebels AAU squad (PA) against Olympus Sports (NJ). In that intense contest, Makrides drained a game tying 3-ball and then scored the dagger bucket in OT. In 2019-20 Makrides was a member of the Lancaster Catholic (PA) squad that won the District 3 - 4A championship, so this skilled guard also brings championship experience and a winning mentality to the Shipley locker room. Coach D’Ambrosio says: Scrappy 3 point shooter who moves well without the basketball and sacrifices his body on the defensive side.   Other Notables: Rocco Morabito / 6’0 / Freshman / Guard Will Littles / 5’10” / Freshman / Guard Gyasi Miller / 5’9 / Freshman / Guard