Starling is the easiest pick on the board after his 24-point outburst in the title game to lead Central Dauphin to its first state championship in program history. It was a fitting close to the year as Starling was as dynamic a two-way guard as there was in the state all season, continuing his torrid pace right into the state playoffs and saving his best for last when it mattered most in Hershey. The junior guard is a walking paint touch with his shifty handle and explosive first step, propelling himself downhill for athletic finishes, smooth pullups, or crafty passes to open teammates. He’s the primary reason CD was hardly challenged on its way to the title game, continuing to cement himself as a bona fide D1 prospect in the process.

Finishing off a historic run with an upset victory in the last game of the season across the state, Starling inscribed his names in the history books as Central Dauphin took home its first state championship in the history of the program. The explosive junior guard poured in almost half his team’s points, scoring 24 as the Rams held on for a 52-49 win over national power Imhotep Charter. Playing every second of the game, Starling was the best player on the floor from start to finish, using his dynamic first step and incendiary athleticism to put consistent pressure on the paint off the dribble. He kept things honest from the perimeter with CD’s only two 3’s of the game while contributing a pair of steals as the Rams handily won the turnover and transition battles. Starling has already added multiple D1 offers since Saturday night and should have an opportunity to bolster his stock even more on the EYBL circuit this spring.

Starling consistently gets deflections on the defensive end and does a great job navigating his way to the basket, routinely touching the paint. Liked how he was able to throw his body around to get to spots he wanted to operate out of. He has the ability to wiggle through congestion and change gears while attacking the lane. He found ways to get a few steals. Starling went 7 for 9 from the charity stripe. He also isn’t afraid to seek out contact when driving. He finished with a game-high 19 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Would like to seen him be a tad more aggressive from the three point line.

His two-way impact was evident throughout the win as he consistently made things happen for his team on both ends of the floor. A pesky defender, he frequently caused turnovers that led to additional offensive possessions. Offensively, he did a good job finding teammates for scoring opportunities on several occasions and showed his ability to stretch the floor by knocking down a pair of three-pointers. He finished with a game-high 15 points and capped off his performance with an emphatic dunk in the later stages of the game that brought the crowd to its feet.

The Rams’ leader throughout the season, Starling struggled a bit to find his rhythm offensively but still had his fingerprints all over the game while grinding his way to 14 points. With his downhill game limited in the halfcourt by a McDevitt zone, he established himself early as an off-ball threat from beyond the arc, showing smooth mechanics but streaky results as the game went along. Nonetheless, Starling shined defensively and in the floor game, using his standout athletic traits and nonstop motor to be a constant factor in passing lanes and as a rotating defender at the rim. He was constantly flying around the floor on both ends, finding soft spots within the zone and being the first to seemingly every loose ball. It was an impressive representation of how Starling can still impact a game without having his best offensive showing, an ability that bodes well for his translation to the next level.

The flashes have been there since his freshman year, but Starling has now officially arrived as the two-way focal point for Central Dauphin. With the Rams out to a 15-4 start and looking like a potential state title contender in 6A, Starling is averaging just shy of 20 points per game while consistently stuffing the stat sheet on both ends of the floor. He’s an advanced athlete with dynamic quickness in the open floor, while having continuously polished his skillset to be more effective in a halfcourt setting. Starling is an unselfish playmaker for others who projects as a lead guard moving forward despite filling a variety of different roles at this level. He figures to be a hot name among high-academic coaches across the region over the next 6-9 months.

The older starling stuffed the stat sheet with his play. His timing to speed up opposing offensive players and turn defense to offense was seen frequently. I like how he can find ways through different angles in transition to get to the cup. He also lived in the paint and was a frequent flyer at the charity stripe converting a handful of attempts from there. Starling made plays for others with his ability to facilitate. Starling also showed that he can set pin-downs off the ball. His ability to change gears was seen throughout the game. He finished with a game high 19 points with 11 coming in the fourth quarter. I want to see him look to play off of two feet on more occasions. Another thing i want to see starling improve on his perimeter shot-making, he was a taker not a maker. Should see a ton of PSAC and low major division ones tracking his every move in the spring and summer. 

Already holding a Division I offer (Bucknell), Shakur will continue to be a highly coveted college prospect. The athletic guard is a pest on defense, using his wingspan and quick hands to rack up steals and push the ball in transition. He has an excellent change of pace as he often leaves defenders in the dust. Perhaps even more impressive is his footwork, as he always makes the right play inside the paint, with a great sense of playing off two feet. With a high IQ and very solid fundamentals, it will be fun to see Starling with the ball more as Central Dauphin begins a new era of basketball.

In 2024-25 Starling was a sophomore starter for a Central Dauphin squad that won 20 games and qualified for the 6A state tournament. He averaged 11 points per contest and scored a season high 21 points (1 three) against PCL contender Archbishop Ryan. Starling is an athletic and versatile guard who can score at every level and excels in the open court. A few days ago, Starling received an offer from Bucknell.

Starling emerged as a valued contributor this past winter after seeing spot minutes on varsity as a freshman, impressing with his length, athleticism, and two-way ability. Looking like one of the more talented defensive guards in the region, Starling envelops opposing guards with his long arms and quick feet while showing an outstanding motor and natural instincts in search of blocks and steals. He shows a quick first step and slick handle getting downhill with crafty passing ability once he touches the paint. Stepping into a role as one of CD’s go-to options, he should have every opportunity to emerge as a D1 prospect with continued growth as a perimeter shooter.