With the regular season in the rear-view mirror and sectionals ready to start, a look at some of Section Five’s top performers from the 12th-grade class.
Nahziah Carter 6-foot-6 Sr. G/F Bishop Kearney Kings (Private-Independent/AA): With a growing list of highlight-reel dunks it is easy to overlook fundamental footwork that separates Carter from the rest. Comfortable in the post with his back to the basket setting up opposing defenders with a drop step; once between basket and defender can either elevate or move laterally and effectively uses the rim as a shield. On the perimeter, has a lightning-quick first step and attacks the lead foot well, can go either direction and finishes with both hands at the rim. At his best in defensive rebounding decisions, strong passer who can lead teammates up the floor. At the same time has the ability to go to the dribble and attack end-to-end. Keeps defenders honest and is within range from 21 feet. Impressive defender who wants to guard opponent’s best player, can shut down a player off the dribble on the perimeter or wall up in the post. Fifth-seeded Kings host Gates-Chili to open Class AA.
Dan Masino 6-foot-2 Sr. G Fairport Red Raiders (Monroe County/AA): 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. Top-seeded Red Raiders will host the winner of Edison Tech and Hilton in the AA quarter-finals.
Zion Morrison 6-foot-1 Sr. G East High Eagles (RCAC/A1): Prototypical East High guard, active and aggressive on defense and makes seamless a transition from defense to offense. Uses quick, lateral movements to cut down passing lanes and disrupt opposing offenses. At his best going off the dribble, finishes at the rim with either hand. Brushes off contact while elevating. Fierce rebounder who is strong enough to corral caroms in traffic and make outlet passes to teammates, yet has a sixth sense knowing when to leak out in transition.Third-seeded Eagles will host the Canandaigua – Franklin winner in the A1 quarter-finals.
Jalen Pickett 6-foot-3 Sr. G Aquinas Li’l Irish (Private-Independent/AA): Relentless offensive player who can create for himself and teammates, gets to the basket off the dribble and can finish with either hand. At the same time can curl off a screen and drill a 3-pointer. At his best making decisions in transition. Finds teammates ahead of the ball and pushes when floor opens. Underrated defensive player who can guard all positions on the floor. Is the Li’l Irish’s best on-the-ball defender, but was asked, because of foul trouble with teammates, to step inside and guard 6-foot-8 Isiah Stewart and neutralized McQuaid’s big man for four to five possessions. On the perimeter, he forces ball handlers to turn their back to the basket and retreat. Fourth-seeded Li’l Irish host Webster-Schroeder to open the Class AA championship.
Zach Stenglein 6-foot Sr. G Irondequoit Eagles (Monroe County/A1): Well-balanced offensive arsenal complimented by range out to 24 feet. Easy to overlook his above-average court vision when he drops 34 like he did to open the season at Wilson. Finds teammates in transition and off the bounce in half-court sets. Confident off the dribble, can go with either hand to create mid-range shots. High release point allows him to shoot with accuracy over ball screens. High basketball IQ, picks his spots well. In his wheel house running an up-tempo Eagle offense. Top-seeded Eagles host the winner of Spencerport and Greece Arcadia in the A1 quarter-finals.
Other 12th grade student-athletes of note: Sheldon Adams/Bishop Kearney, Ryan Algier/Fairport, Justin Brumfield/SOTA, Jacob DiSanto/Victor, Shandare Figgins/Early College, Thomas Finnerty/Greece Arcadia, Anthony Flegler/Aquinas, Alex Goldsberry/Irondequoit, Tyke’r Harley/Bishop Kearney, Jason Hawkes/Aquinas, Tajmin Holt/Early College, Jeremy Jacob/Pittsford-Mendon, Cam Keeley/Fairport, John Letta/Hilton, Windell Lucas/East High, Ty-Meek Mackie/Leadership Academy, Ryan Mason/Webster-Thomas, John Mathis/Greece Odyssey, Patrick Phillips/Wilson-Magnet, Chris Reed/Rush-Henrietta, Chad Scorse/Greece Athena, Marique Simkin/Edison Tech, Tysean Sizer/Irondequoit, Kenny Speed/Greece Athena, Daiquon Turner/NE Douglass, Cam Wilson/McQuaid.
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