With 30 games on tonight’s slate, Section V boys’ basketball will be in full stride. Here are the 10th grade student-athletes who will be making the plays this season.
Damani Barley 6-foot-2 So. G East Eagles (RCAC) – Daring shooter with a knack for making plays on the defensive end; long and lean, Barley already flashes an elevated release point on his jumper forcing defenders to step out on him, strong off the bounce he makes sound decisions in the teeth of the defense; shows impressive instincts on the defensive end, anticipate well and gets in passing lanes, quick feet allow him to disrupt opposing ball handlers; active rebounder who reads caroms well off the rim.
Jack Bleier 6-foot-2 So. G Aquinas Li’l Irish (Private-Independent) – Crafty playmaker who understands when to pick his spots to shoot; smooth and agile, Bleier has shown an early understanding of how to use pace on his passes to put teammates in position to score, high-level court vision, blends the ability to make accurate decisions in transition while being able to run offense in the half-court, effective in screen and roll situations, deceptively quick first step allows him to get paint touches, has to be defended at the 3-point arc but keeps defenders on heels off the bounce; responsible defender who understands the value of containing the ball handler; active rebounder, capable of chasing down longer caroms.
Ryan Garwood 5-foot-10 So. G Northstar Christian Knights (Private-Independent) – hands down the best deep threat in the sophomore class and among the tops in all of Section V; with a smooth release, Garwood is ready from the opening tip to start filling it up and he can go into heat-check mode after his first three attempts, adept ball handler he makes economic use of the dribble, underrated playmaker who takes advantage of space created to set up his teammates; understands how to use angles on the defensive end to beat opposing ball handlers to the spot; sneaky rebounder who finds available open space to corral boards.
Markus Robinson* 6-foot-1 Fr G C.G. Finney Falcons (Private-Independent) – Rugged player who thrives on contact; quick first step with a strong upper body allows him to get to the basket where he finishes with either hand, flashes a mid-range game and can also step out behind the 3-point arc, developing into a playmaker; relentless rebounder he keeps feet moving while ball is in the air, does not stop moving after initial box out; reliable defender who shows the potential for guarding a variety of positions.
Miles Rose 6-foot-3 So. G Bishop Kearney Kings (Private-Independent) – Scratching at the surface of his ability; Rose is a calm playmaker who see the floor well in a variety of situations, possesses the ability to change speed and pace without giving up control, he can knock down a shot from 3-point land but is at his best in the midrange where his floater is among the tops in Section V; developing as a defender, uses athleticism to disrupt opposing ball handlers; responsible rebounder with a knack for being in the right spot.
*We will not have a freshman starting five until season’s end. Markus Robinson earns noting.
Names to know of other student-athletes from the 2022 class: Myles Blackwood/Aquinas, Keshaun Chatman/SOTA, Christian Harmon/Wilson Magnet, Turner Harris/Northstar Christian, Kidder Lindley/Pittsford Mendon, Kai McCullough/East, Brandon Moore/UPrep, Phil Nwugwo/Victor, James Reaves, Jr./Greece Athena, Justus Ross-Simmons/East, Kyle Wade/Caledonia-Mumford, Terrell Wilson, Jr./Greece Athena.
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