2020 Prospects with the Most to Gain This Weekend

<p>Basketball season is in full swing as teams across the state are gearing up for marquee games. Some of the top teams in the state are squaring off against some of the most talented teams in the country. These talent filled match-ups allow for players to rise to the occasion and really raise their stocks. Here are the top senior prospects with the most to gain this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Oumar Diahame, 6'10 C Patrick School National</strong></p> <p>The Senegalese native has had a strong season for the Celtics so far, but he has another opportunity to raise his stock. The Skills Factory has one of the better big men in the country in 7'1 <strong>Kai Sotto</strong>. The Filipino native is extremely skilled and has the potential to be a very good player at the next level. Diahame dominated Columbia commit <strong>Supreme Cook </strong>at the Shore Classic Showcase, but Sotto is a totally different prospect. The Celtics need Diahame to assert himself early down low, which will be a good thing for Diahame's stock.</p> <p><strong>Amir Williams, 6'3 SG Linden</strong></p> <p>The Tigers have a pair of tough games this weekend as they take on St. Thomas Aquinas and Roselle Catholic. Both squads have the size and length to disrupt Williams on the offensive end. The 6'3 shooting guard excels at getting to the basket, but he could struggle scoring against high-level shot-blockers in <strong>Derrick Grant </strong>and <strong>Cliff Omoruyi</strong>. Williams will also be tested on the defensive end as <strong>Quadry Adams</strong>, <strong>Jaquan Harris</strong>, <strong>C.J. Wilcher </strong>and <strong>Niels Lane </strong>can all score in a variety of ways. Williams is one of the top swingmen in North Jersey and has the opportunity to cement it this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Kieren Flanagan, 6'1 PG Manasquan</strong></p> <p><strong>Alex Galvan</strong>'s ankle injury means he will miss Manasquan's big clash against Roselle Catholic. His absence down low creates a huge hole down low, but it also presents an opportunity for Flanagan. The 6'1 guard will have to increase his scoring output as the Lions will focus most of their attention on sophomore <strong>Ben Roy</strong>. Flanagan is a good shooter who can stretch the Roselle Catholic defense, but he will be challenged on the defensive end. Lane, Wilcher, <strong>Richie Greaves</strong> and <strong>Corey Floyd Jr</strong>. are some of the perimeter options that Flanagan may defend this weekend. If he can hold his own against one of the top teams in the nation, than Flanagan will definitely raise his stock this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Zach Martini, 6'7 PF Gill St. Bernard's</strong></p> <p>The Princeton commit has been a rock for the Knights all season with seven double-doubles in eight games. He will truly be tested this weekend as Gill St. Bernard's takes on Montverde Academy and Bishop McDevitt this weekend. Montverde is loaded with talented frontcourt players in Florida State commit <strong>Scottie Barnes</strong>, North Carolina commit <strong>Day'Ron Sharpe</strong> and sophomore <strong>Caleb Houstan</strong>. Freshman <strong>Mackenzie Mgbako</strong> may take some of the stress away from Martini, but the Princeton commit will earn all of his points this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Kirk Parsons &amp; Muhammed Sow, 6'0 PG/ 6'10 PF Patrick School</strong></p> <p>The Patrick School has a pair of tough games this weekend as the Celtics play Blair Academy and St. Benedict's. <strong>Noah Farrakhan, Zarique Nutter </strong>and <strong>Samson Johnson </strong>have all picked up the slack since <strong>Jonathan Kuminga's </strong>injury, but the Celtics need Parsons and Sow to play big this weekend. The latter had a breakout performance against St. Augustine with 12 points, but will see a steep rise in competition as <strong>Akoldah Gak</strong>, <strong>Lual Manyang</strong>, <strong>Mounir Hima </strong>and <strong>Qing Fang Pang</strong> will be the big men he will face this weekend.</p> <p>Parsons has been a spark off the bench for the Patrick School at times and will need to take some pressure off Farrakhan at the point. Sophomore <strong>Dionte Johnson </strong>will help Parsons bring the ball up when Farrakhan is out of the game, but the 6'0 senior has to have a big impact on the game. The Celtics will be tested this weekend and they need Parsons and Sow to play their best basketball.</p>