Metro Classic Thursday standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Metro Classic kicked off on Thursday afternoon with a five-game slate featuring some of New Jersey's top talent along with national power SPIRE Academy. Keep reading for a look at some prospects who caught the eye after taking in the day's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2344521"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3454670,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c3eee94272"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best individual performance of the day undoubtedly came from Gordon, as the all-state performer poured in a career-high 42 points to steer the Cardinals in a bounceback win coming off their first in-state loss of the season earlier this week. Gordon came out firing with 15 first quarter points, mixing in smooth jumpers and tough downhill drives as the Cardinals got out to a 27-7 lead that they'd never come close to surrendering. His buzzer-beating 3 before halftime was key toward helping maintain the momentum. Despite the scoring performance, Gordon still managed to impress as a facilitator, consistently making the right pass in both the halfcourt and transition to generate easy shots for his teammates. Games like this make it hard to argue for anybody else as the best high school player in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2238210"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3454674,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c3eee942de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably SPIRE's most consistent performer so far this year, Gibson was at it again with a dynamic 14-point performance to steer the win. The North Carolina product helped set the tone with his aggressiveness getting north-south off the bounce, showing an effectively unorthodox cadence to his handle and footwork that consistently kept defenders guessing. He shined on the defensive end as a lengthy and deceptively strong perimeter stopper, and also delivered the highlight of the day with a poster slam off two feet to help shut the door on Bergen Catholic. Overall, Gibson left little doubt as to why he's a nationally-touted high-major prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595674"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3454676,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c3eee94332"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making a homecoming to the Garden State, Derkack had a clear spring in his step on his way to a team-high 18 points. The Colonia (NJ) transfer and Providence signee was persistently aggressive in the floor game, flying around in both the halfcourt and transition to make plays around the rim with his length, athleticism, and natural instincts. He looked more confident than we'd seen in the past as a spotup shooter from the perimeter as well. Derkack's ability to impact games consistently without needing many plays called for him should bode well for his translation to the high-major level and potentially even beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2504896"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3454678,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c3eee94380"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brunson wasn't at his absolute best on Thursday, hampered by three first-half fouls, but still managed to step up when it mattered most while leading the Argonauts to a win over Salem. He came out looking to facilitate, penetrating off the bounce before whipping passes out to shooters on the weak side. The southpaw scored 12 of his 18 points after halftime, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter after the Rams had cut the lead to single digits. His ability to attack off the dribble at his size while also making shots from all over the floor and stuffing the stat sheet in the floor game make him a clearcut high-major prospect even on a nominal off night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2342638"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c3eee943c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Facing off against nationally-ranked SPIRE Academy (OH), Brown made it clear from the jump that Bergen had no plans of backing down. The Fairfield pledge came out hot, scoring 11 of the Crusaders' first 13 points, highlighted by a trio of deep 3s that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. He would go on to show his smooth pullup game and budding dribble-drive attack on his way to 18 points on the night. Brown continues to track as a potential steal heading to the MAAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2763537"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3454683,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c3eee9440a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The breakout star of the day was undoubtedly Lecator, who delivered a huge performance for his Salem squad which was a last-minute fill-in to the schedule. A slender guard with nice length and a fun hop in his step, he erupted for 31 points, refusing to let the Rams quit in a spirited loss to state power Rutgers Prep (NJ). He saved 23 points for after halftime, highlighted by six made 3s in a timely display of his feathery shooting touch. We'll look forward to tracking Lecator through sectional playoffs and heading into the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->