”Have My Five, Let's Play”

Here are 3 teams that boast a lineup that can play with anybody. They have five guys who can play multiple positions, spread you out or take you off the dribble. These team’s have five scores who can score, but they know how to share the ball as well. Defensively they can guard and rebound the ball. All can speed you up or use set plays to take advantage of mismatches. We selected, one from the CHSAA, the PSAL, and the private school league. Stepinac HS has alot of high-quality talent. While also possessing a deep rotation. So if we are lacing them up you better be ready to guard them. Stepinac can hurt you inside with their big. [player_tooltip player_id="945516" first="Malcolm" last="Chimezie"] 6”8(2021) an old school post player. He likes to do his scoring from 15 feet and in. Malcolm is in our recruiting report has multiple D1 offers. Not worried about offers is 6”7 Adrian Griffin (2021) he is already committed to Duke. Tremendous skill set with the ball. A rim protector on defense. With an advantage inside you need guys to get them the ball. But they also have to be able to do other things. Samuel Gibbs 6”2 (2022) and Joel Baez 6”4 (2022) two rising juniors. Both players can play the point. Handle the ball. Sam is a crafty lefty who looks to get his teammates open shots. But he can knock shots down himself. Joel can play the 1-2 or 3. He can guard multiple positions, which helps in case of foul trouble. Rebounds very well for his size. The fifth spot could be taken by many players from this roster. We’ll take Josh Zangerle 6”5 (2021). He gives us another player who can take some pressure off because of his shooting ability. Josh has length and athleticism plus the ability to guard multiple positions. This our five from Stepinac. They can score inside and out. But also can guard you with their size and length. John Bowne HS is a very fast-paced, come out, on you team. They will guard you, block shots and score in transition. These five can all really shoot it and get into the lane, off the bounce. They play in the PSAL in Queens. Team’s need to bring their best every night. Talent is spread out in these leagues but you better have grit and be ready to battle for every loose ball. [player_tooltip player_id="945533" first="Tyshawn" last="Trail"] (2021) is one of the five on the floor for this team that exemplifies the grit and determination of this team. He can flat out score. Shoot the three or get into the lane and he is super in the open floor.. His sidekick at the guard position is Amadou Diallo (2021). He is what every team needs. A player who creates for others. Very good at getting his hands in for deflections, which leads to steals for his teammates. Makes the right decisions. The big man and rim protector in the group is Mohamed Dioubate (2022). Excellent on the glass and blocking shots. Uses his length really well. Combines a good handle with his ability to get to the rim is another dimension to his game. On the kick out let’s get the ball to [player_tooltip player_id="945546" first="Aguibou" last="Balde"] (2021). On the wing he is deadly. Lights outs shooter from three. Excellent mid-range game. Rounding out this talented team is Amare Bonas(2021). A 6”3 slasher gets to the rim. Good perimeter shooter. There you have my five for the next game. Slash to the rim, stroke the three, but their opponent better be ready to play every possession. Portledge HS can dog you all over the court. What makes these five special is they not only have immense talent but they have a very high work ethic. The bad news for their opponent, is they are young. Consisting of 2 juniors( 2022) 2 sophomores (2023) and a rising senior. So they will be a force for the next few years. Jamir Primer (2021) might not be the guy you noticed during the game but after when you look at the box score you see 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4 assists. Then you sit down and watch film and you realize this guy is good. He beat us everywhere. That is what Jamir does. Anthony Follet (2023) and Dante Brooks (2023) two rising sophomores. Anthony a very good perimeter shooter. Showed the ability as a freshman to get to the basket. He actually made it look easy at times. Dante is a speed demon on the court. Relentless on the defensive end. Blows by defenders and at 5”9 can dunk on you in the open floor. Aazayah Ross (2022) a lanky player who is a strong physical presence. Tremendous defender. At 6”2 he guards bigs and does a great job. He can jump out of the gym. Another stat filler 8ppg, 9 rebs, 3 assists and 3 blocks. The guy that makes it all go and the others feed off of is Zaire Baines (2022). He has already scored over 2000 points in his high school career. When you walk in the gym you realize right away how good he is. The drills, layups he goes all out. A real leader with enormous talent. In a team camp last fall in 2 minutes everyone knew how special Zaire is. Tremendous shooter and scorer. All these team's have 5 guys who can score the ball. Combined with Stepinac’s size, John Bowne’s experience and the youthful attitude of Portledge gives these team's an advantage everytime they hit the floor.