Last Sunday's Metro Classic which saw the Boros team pull away late for a 119-105 victory over the 'burbs a week ago Sunday featured many outstanding individual performances on both sides. Some of the players I'll discuss here are players I know well while some are youngsters I'm seeing for the first time and am anxious to see again. It was an excellent game as the players on both sides went right at each other and played hard at both ends of the floor. Here are some player evaluations.
The Burbs
Kenton Facey 6'8" PF/C Long Island Lutheran HS (2013) Just a junior, the transfer from Upper Room Academy was the most impressive of a number of power forwards and centers for both sides. He finished with 26 points and got those primarily by hitting the offensive boards although his output did include a short jumper from the elbow and one from the baseline. He showed extraordinary quickness off the floor solid hands and a good touch around the basket. His progress with his new school team will be interesting to follow because it will give scouts and coaches a chance to see what he can do with touches in the post and in the key area. His athleticism is big time but he may need to add some strength to play at the highest level. Schools at all levels will keep an eye on him because with his junior year just beginning he's got a lot of time for both his body and game to grow.
Randy Stephens 6'4" G Mt. Vernon HS (2012) I was able to see Randy early in the summer at Rumble in the Bronx playing for the Westchester Hawks and liked what I saw then. Sunday he may have been the 'burbs best player, finishing with 20 points, creating opportunities for teammates and providing length and activity on defense. His first step is deceptive because it's long and although he's very left handed he can use his right hand well enough to get to the rim although he doesn't finish with it. Reports have a slew of mid major programs getting involved with him. Those schools and others should keep in mind that the talented youngster is originally from Ossining and beginning just his second season in coach Bob Cimmino's program so an already fine prospect should continue to improve.
Isaiah Cousins 6'3" SG Mt. Vernon HS (2012) it took Isaiah a while to get started on Sunday but once he did he was terrific. He showed off a fine three point stroke that's effective in part because he gets easy lift off the. And as the game progressed he finished plays driving to the basket and, like his teammate Stephens played with good energy defensively. Cousins, Stephens and Mt. Vernon seem to be poised for a great 2012-13 season.
Travis Whitfield 6'4" SG St, Mary's (LI) HS (2012) It was very curious to talk to some of the folks from Long Island about Travis because to a person they all mentioned that he really didn't play a key role on last year's fine St. Mary's squad. That said he looked like a guy who had the look of a D-1 prospect. He's long and athletic and shoots the ball pretty well. While his strength and handle may limit him to playing at a low major level, he should draw looks from those schools initially and may draw looks from other programs as he improves his stock with increased playing time.
Mike McCahey 6'4" SF/SG Clarkstown South HS (2012) Mike has drawn a lot of interest this summer primarily because of his shooting ability and while he didn't get many looks at the basket Sunday when he did he showed off that pure stroke. He made just two in five tries but even the ones he missed were 3/4 of the way down and his shooting was accurate despite a long time between each look so despite the fact that he couldn't establish a rhythm his shooting mechanics were rock solid. As an athlete he's more sturdy than fast and even though he doesn't get off the floor he mixes it up under the basket and he'll secure any rebound or tipped ball he gets to. He's reportedly drawn interest from mid majors but his struggles with lateral movement may limit him to small forward at those levels. Coaches will love his shooting and like his ability to play in a team defensive concept. For him to make a good basketball choice of school it will be as much about the defensive system and team as it will be about level of play.
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