By PAUL GOTHAM
A look at some of last week’s (12/18-12/23) best performances when yours truly was on hand.
Daniel Cook 6-foot-5, Jr. G/F Pittsford Mendon Vikings (Monroe County Division III) – Scratching the surface of his ability, is listed as a guard/forward but did most of his work on the block, impressive back-to-basket game, can sense defensive pressure and makes adjustments from there, can finish with either hand at the rim with contact, impressive passer who finds teammates open on opposite side of the floor from the low block, flashed the ability to catch and face, more of that to come, can put to the ball to the floor and attack, runs the floor well in transition; aggressive rebounder who doesn’t stop after initial contact made by opposing players, strong hands, keen instincts to spark transition; tireless defender, quick enough to front in the post and yet get position for rebounds, uses length to limit vision of opponents.
VIEW MORE CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE.
Dez Ellis 5-foot-10 Sr. G Leadership Academy Lions (RCAC) – Dynamic offensive player who has added a consistent 3-point shot to his game, always a threat to get to the rim, easily sheds contact and consistently gets the ball to the basket, now a perimeter threat he has a keen awareness of when to let it fly and when to attack off the bounce, as fearless as they come, puts tremendous pressure on opposing defensive players; relentless defender with under appreciated quickness, he makes plays most can’t even imagine, ability to make transition from defense to offense is unparalleled in Section V; has to be accounted for in rebounding situations, tireless when the ball is in the air, Ellis is a big reason Leadership (5-0) is No. 21 NYSSWA Class A.
Andrew Mason 6-foot-2 So. G Webster Thomas Titans (Monroe County Division II) – Inside/outside threat who can create for himself and teammates, has to be guarded beyond the arc, quick release on catch-and-shoot opportunities, length makes it difficult to defend him for smaller perimeter players, uses height to see over opponents and finds teammates in spots where they can score, flashed a hesitation dribble to get to the rim, combine that with an impressive pull-up jumper, possesses the innate quality of letting the game come to him, does not shoot team out of game; crafty defender who moves well on the flight of the ball, patient on the ball, closes the gate on the baseline drive; impressive rebounder with strong hands, keeps ball high, outlet passes create transition chances for teammates.
Keith Slack 5-foot-9 Jr. G Gates-Chili Spartans (Monroe County Division I) – Change of direction and change of pace rolled into one package, Gates-Chili’s leading scorer (27.3 ppg) gets downhill quickly in the open court, but is rarely, if ever, out of control, puts defenders on their heels and knows how to take advantage from there, his work in the half-court is just as impressive, able to force a defense into retreat mode to take away his drive, the phrase “stops on a dime” applies, uses low center of gravity for a pull-up jumper that makes defending him all the more daunting, has to be defended two steps behind the arc; active defender who sees one play/pass ahead to anticipate steals, rarely caught out of position and has to be accounted for when running offense; despite size limitations a skilled geometrician who reads caroms off the rim and plucks long rebounds.
Jermaine Taggart 6-foot-3 So. G McQuaid Jesuit Knights (RCAC) – Slashing wing who can knock down an open 3-pointer, but is at his best best going to the rim where he can finish with either hand in traffic, sees leak-out opportunities and takes advantage, catches the ball well in transition and finishes, quick first step in the half-court set, can go either direction, learning how to use his length against smaller opponents; active rebounder, keeps moving after initial contact in block-out situations, strong hands, alert to transition opportunities; responsible defender, plays well off the ball, potential to be an elite on-the-ball guard.
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