Jason Hawkes, Jabez Thomas and the Starting Five

Jabez Thomas (22) has a meeting at the rim. (Photo: RON KALASINKAS)

Looking back at some of last week’s top performances.

Dezmere Ellis 5-foot-11 Jr. G Leadership Academy Lions (RCAC): Fearless off the dribble, can create for himself but appears more comfortable creating for teammates. Always makes the extra pass when it is there. Can get to the rim and finish in traffic with either hand, also has deft touch with a floater if defense reacts. Makes sound decisions in the open court, always looks ahead for open teammate, but can push ball with ease, plays the game at a comfortable pace for himself. Savvy defender who is tough and can defend a variety of positions. At the same time he makes intelligent reads off the ball to get in passing lanes. Leadership hosts Franklin on Wednesday.

Jason Hawkes 6-foot-6 Sr. F Aquinas Li’l Irish (Private-Independent): Versatile athlete who can dominate inside. At the same time, he can handle the primary ball handling responsibilities. At his best in the paint where he easily sheds opponents’ contact, tireless on the glass. Has the frame and upper body strength to slash from the perimeter, catch passes and finish at the rim. Skillfully defends a variety of positions; knows how to use his length against smaller ballhandlers and shifts to his strength when defending in the post. Savvy off the ball where he anticipates passes with a quick first step. Sacrifices his body. Quickly transitions from defense to offense and recognizes advantages for teammates ahead of the play. Aquinas travels this upcoming weekend to play in the Pennsylvania Showcase at McDowell High School in Erie, PA.

Jalen Pickett finds Jason Hawkes underneath for two. pic.twitter.com/zc0bIfdFl5

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 7, 2017

Dan Masino 6-foot-2 Sr. G Fairport Red Raiders (Monroe County): Heady player who makes his teammates better. Superb court vision. Skilled ball handler who can distribute from anywhere on the court. Possesses possibly the best balance of hands in the Greater Rochester area. Makes above average decisions when driving to the basket. Can knock down an open jumper, but prefers to get inside the teeth of the defense. Does not take plays off on the defensive end, yet maintains foul discipline. Active hands create consistent disruption for opposing offenses. Fairport hosts Bishop Kearney, Monday night.

Tysean Sizer 6-foot Sr. G Irondequoit Eagles (Monroe County): Quiet assassin. Rarely seems like he has taken over a game until you glance at the scorebook. Doesn’t need frequent touches to stay in rhythm. Moves well without the ball and allows teammates to get theirs. Consistent from behind the arc and uses a strong first step to blow by defenders. Equally adept on or off-the-ball defensively. Moves well on the flight and understands help-side rotation. Possesses superior instincts to see one-pass/play ahead. Irondequoit hosts Penfield on Wednesday.

Jabez Thomas 6-foot-7 So. C UPrep Griffin (Private/Independent): Moves like a guard in a forward’s body, and he is only 15. Fluid motions around the basket make him difficult to contain. He resists being blocked out. Disciplined rebounder who keeps the ball elevated. Understands the importance of looking up the floor and can deliver accurate outlets in transition.Developing touch around the basket will only get better with maturity and confidence. Has moments where he is foul prone but overall uses his stature to contain opponents. UPrep plays at Northstar Christian on Saturday.