From: Jon "Duck" Gray
Date: 04 May 2008
So Far, So Good The first three weeks of action in the Greater Philadelphia League has generally been excellent. Among the teams making a solid first impression are LaSalle High, Friends Central, Cheltenham, Engineering & Science, Mathematics Civics & Sciences, Imhotep, Plymouth-Whitemarsh and Franklin Learning Center. So far I have not been able to see game action with Bodine, Strawberry Mansion, Communications Tech, Freire Charter, and Central but they have been playing extremely well also.
Top Performers Class of 2009 Will Adams 6’4 Guard Imhotep Charter Amazingly gifted athletic scorer has emerged as one of the city’s top juniors. Silky shooter from outside with the ability to play well above the rim. Adams has the potential to be special and he is starting to fulfill that considerable potential.
Angel Ayala 6’3 Wing Forward Allentown Allen Ayala is a silky smooth wing player for Coach Doug Snyder’s team. Despite two losses, Ayala has stood out with his ability to get to the basket and finish. A fluid player with ball handling ability, Ayala with a more consistent outside shot could really make strides in the summer.
Marcus Brown 6’4 Combination Forward Engineering & Science Brown has been a terrific player thus far in the league. Brown has been more than the franchise for the Engineers. Brown often handles the ball against pressure, shoots from the inside and scores easily in the post. Brown capped a hard fought victory over Germantown Friends with a highflying one-hand dunk in traffic.
Melvin Dixon 6’1 Guard Benjamin Franklin High School Steady scoring threat has been carrying a big load for the undersized Electrons. Dixon is a composed and consistent scorer who is also a top defender. Dixon occasionally has to guard much taller players - guess what no problem so far.
The same can be said of when those players have had to guard him. Melvin is a local sleeper. Nasir Jones 6’4 Forward Franklin Learning Center Jones has been quite the pleasant surprise during the past two weeks. Jones has been able to score on the perimeter and in the post, but he has also been superb in transition and solid on the defensive end. Had a couple of sickening dunks in a victory over Philadelphia Electrical Charter. Showing some wing skills well still dominating in the paint.
Jeffery Lord 6’6 Forward-center Mathematics, Civics and Science Lord can score inside. I like that he remains active and plays hard. That being said if this kid had a mean steak he could really move up on the local scene. Upper Darby transfer is already adjusting well to city life.
Will Mascio 6’0 Guard Plymouth-Whitemarsh What a leader this kid is. Mascio has been shooting the lights out from the perimeter for his young and undersized team. Also, he is likely his team’s leading rebounded and top defender. A pleasure to watch play the game.
Sam Prescott 6’3 Guard-Forward Imhotep Charter Like most players in this senior class listing, Prescott deserves the attention of Division I coaches. Prescott is as versatile as they come, and he is as tough as nails. Athletic and strong with the ability to rebound, this kid is on the verge of a monster summer.
Joseph Reid 6’7 Forward Simon Gratz High School Athletic big man has shown the ability to block shots, rebound and finish on the break. Reid is super long, his arms stretch all the way to his knees. Has beautiful strides when he is running the floor. An intriguing prospect with a high upside.
Karl Riley 6’3 Guard Franklin Learning Center This hidden gem is a deep shooter deluxe. Showing ball-handling skills and the ability to score off the dribble. Nice size for a high school shooting guard. Beautiful rotation on the jump-shot. Still must get tougher but definitely one of the top surprises in the league.
Zaahir Smith 5’11 Guard Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Cat quick point guard has had some good performances. Gets anywhere he wants on the floor with relative ease. Absolutely lethal when his outside shot is working. When his decision making is solid, he rakes up the assists. Unselfish performer who loves to play defense.
Denzel Yard 5’11 Guard Franklin Learning Center So consider Yard a scorer, but he is far more than that. Yard is the only player in the area (in a long time in fact) that could take any four guys around him and compete. Yard is the Diego Maradona of high school basketball, a talent that can bring out the talents of those around him. This Brandon Jennings play-alike has been getting nine assists a game. If Yard can improve his verbal leadership skills (communicating and leading his teammates) he could be the best player around these parts.
Class of 2010
C.J. Aiken 6’9 Center LaSalle High One of the nation’s top big prospects in his class, the agile, mobile and when needed be hostile Aiken was impressive against Masterman. C.J. Aiken had several serious dunks in that game over people and in traffic. Probably the fastest big man running up and down the court in the area.
Antoine Bland 6’3 Forward Simon Gratz This wide body is surprisingly athletic (he can dunk!!!!). “Ness” is probably the toughest player in the league. Has improved his quickness, and he can do a lot more than just bang his body around.
Kenny Bey-Brown 5’11 Guard Ben Franklin This kid surprised me the first time I saw him play, he is slick lefty point guard with heart and some headiness. Can hit open jumpers or make controlled drives to the hole. Hopefully, he will add consistency to the equation.
Whis Grant 5’11 Guard Plymouth-Whitemarsh Wonderfully consistent player who combines toughness, basketball smarts and solid overall skills. Whis is a fine basketball player. It is amazing to watch how well his team plays with him on the court and how mistakes somehow happen when he is not on the floor.
Troy Hockaday 6’1 Guard LaSalle High Magnificent player for LaSalle, Hockaday, is as smart as they come on the court. He plays defense with fervor and makes smart decisions on the offensive end. Hockaday is a very underrated player, he is one of the most intelligent players in the Class of 2010.
Jabreil McCloud 6’2 Guard Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter McCloud is a gifted scorer who must learn to maintain game-long energy. Is adept at getting to the rack and is a fair mid-range scorer. McCloud has to develop his ball-handling skills and court vision (although he is a wing player) to reach his full potential.
Travis Robinson 6’3 Guard Friends Central This Penn Charter import has been showing well for his new team. Robinson always has been athletic and capable of scoring, but he has impressed as much with his intangibles in this league. Friends Central looks impressive and if Robinson continues to improve watch-out.
Tyree Smith 6’3 Combo Guard Simon Gratz Mr. Versatility. Tyree is a high-rising prospect in city circles. Smith has had to do a lot of ball handling for the Bulldogs which he may not understand now but it will help him down the road. Only a fair shooter from outside, but really his game is centered around the dribble drives and near the wing jumpers.
Malik West 6’3 Guard LaSalle High Smooth scorer is becoming a star for the Explorers. Has great size for a high school two-guard, solid shooter and slasher. Seems to enjoy competing at a high level. Interesting prospect for down the road purposes because of his ball-handling skills.
Kirk Wynn 5’10 Guard Julia Masterman Improving floor general has been the leader for his improved Masterman squad. Very adept at running a team, sometimes does not look for his offense enough. Maturing in his leadership role.
Class of 2011
Jaylon Bond 6’5 Forward LaSalle High Athletic forward has really begun to develop into a complete player. Has a lot of potential as he is an elite athlete.
Jamal Brown 5’11 Guard World Communications Smooth lead guard has excellent court vision must refrain from forcing the issue. Could be really good, brother of Syracuse guard Antonio “Scoop” Jardine.
Jon Carney 6’6 Center Julia Masterman Tricky inside scorer has been a revelation for the Blue Dragons. Has shown the willingness to compete non-stop inside.
Eric Coats 6’7 Center Imhotep Long and rangy post player with a surprisingly strong body for a post player.
Devin Coleman 6’2 Friends Central In many ways Coleman maybe the top player for the Phoenix, he is a mature, athletic player with a scorer’s mentality.
Derrick Mitchell 5’3 Guard Franklin Learning Center A nice outside shooting threat who is developing nicely with his older teammates. Mitchell has a lot of growing to do.
Thomas Moore 5’11 Guard Martin Luther King This kid can flat out score the ball. He is a tricky ball-handler who gets into the lane at will. Also capable of knocking down the perimeter shots. Not much to smile at King these days, but here is a bright light.
Many good match-ups coming up please continue to check the league schedule.