Stepinac : Team in Focus

Frank Mantesta October 26, 2021 @ 01:00 PM

Stepinac high school has been a major force on the New York state championship landscape. Sending many players to D1 programs. But because of their talented rosters most of their players come out to be major pieces at whatever college they play at. Part of the reason f their success is their ability to practice every day against outstanding talent within their own roster. We were in attendance along with Georgetown and Fairfield, for their open gym. Thanks to coach Massaroni for having us up. [player_tooltip player_id="1125584" first="Samuel" last="Gibbs"]. 6”3. 2022 We saw up close what makes Samuel play so well in games. It is the way he conducts himself in practice. A will to win in full court scrimmages or going all out in a dribbling drill. He is a smooth cool guard who can play either 1 or the 2. A tremendous shooter who is elusive and crafty to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="1046820" first="Joel" last="Baez"]. 6”5. 2022 He was very impressive when I saw him in the Chsaa spring and summer sponsored event. Each time he did something different to get my attention. His game has evolved into a player who can score driving to the rim off the wing or with a pull up jumper. Gets good lift on his jumper. A rebounding wing who can lead or finish on the break. Johnuel Fland 6”3. 2024 A major talent. Tremendous skill set. World of talent and he understands the game well beyond his years. A flat out scorer who contributes in all different ways throughout the game. He can be a pass first guard or take over the game scoring. From what we have seen early,Boogie (as his teammates call him) will be a first team all state player. [player_tooltip player_id="1195557" first="Jacob" last="Hogarth"]. 6”9. 2024 Jacob was coming off of a foot injury. Well beware... if he can play like he did in open gym hurting, imagine what he will do healthy and with more experience. Showed the ability to step out and knock down up to 18 feet consistently. An athletic high motor player. He displayed his skill level with a nice spin in the lane, resulting into losing his defender and finishing with his off hand. Isiah Alexander 6”7. 2022.(2023 Prep) A long athletic player with the potential to be a stat stuffer. In previous events he has shown the ability to get his hands in on deflections. He has deep range and can get to the rim. Looks to be a very versatile player. Good athletic rebounder. Ben Lyttle 6”5 2023 Every team needs a workhorse. Benjamin is that guy for Stepinac, a player who uses his body on both ends of the floor. Not afraid to bang inside or get on the floor. Has the ability to get to the rim on his own using his strength. Braylan Ritvo 6”6. 2024 Braylan knows how to play the game. Good positioning defensively. Offensively he found the open spots. Uses his body to rebound. Can score inside. Connects on his jumper. Danny Carbuccia 6”0. 2025 Another young stud. He absorbs everything coaches were saying. He made tremendous passes in both the half court and also in transition as well has look up ahead, passes. Excellent ball handler. Outstanding shooter from three. In a shooting drill he was automatic from the pull up baseline jumper. Bryce Randolph 6”4. 2022 Uses his length to defend rebound and score. Cole Decker 6”4. 2023 Displayed a nice shot fake one dribble pull up jumper. Has good size. Aamyr Sullivan 5”9. 2024 Crafty ball handler. Extremely quick. Shhowed in drills the ability to shoot it. Howard Eisley Jr. 6”1 2024 The son son of former NBA player by the same name. Howard plays extremely hard and is aggressive all 94 feet. Brings that tenacity when he’s scoring the ball or guarding it. Declan McIntyre 6”1. 2022 The ability to nail down jumpers.