With 30 games on tonight’s slate, Section V boys’ basketball will be in full stride. Here are the 11th grade student-athletes who will be making the plays this season.
Ethain Clarke-Desouza 6-foot-1 Jr. G School of the Arts Silverhawks (RCAC) – Exciting potential, rugged guard who sheds contact on his way to the basket, able to finish with either hand in traffic, impressive mid-range game, able to create his own shot and get opportunities for teammates, still developing a consistent long-range game which will make him all the more difficult to stop; advanced rebounder with strong hands, able to release quickly with outlets, at the same time can bust it up the middle of the floor when the situation warrants; impressive defender who guards one through five on the floor, gives up little in any head-to-head situation.
Maurice McKinney 6-foot-1 Jr. G Leadership Academy (RCAC) – Fearless ball handler who works well in tight spaces, strong set of shoulders helps him protect the ball and get to the basket where he finishes well with either hand, understands when to dish off, developing into a 3-point threat which will make him a handful to defend, shows midrange accuracy; moves feet well on the defensive end of the floor and jumps passing lanes, opponents have to account for him on every possession or he will create a turnover; active rebounder with strong hands, he stays with the play.
Keenan Robertson 6-foot-5, Jr. F Irondequoit Eagles (Monroe County Division II) – Inside – outside threat with an impressive blend of athleticism and skill; long and lanky, he is comfortable playing in the post where his advanced footwork creates problems for defenders, he is comfortable catching, facing and finishing in the paint – his up-and-under move shows his maturity, what sets him apart is the ability to step out 8-10 feet along the baseline and knock down a jumper, has to be defended beyond the 3-point arc and because of this creates space for his teammates to work off the dribble; defends before his man catches the ball and forces opponents out of their comfort zone, mature shot blocker who rarely gives up rebounding position; active rebounder who can climb above opposing players and still run down longer caroms.
Jacob Shadders 6-foot-1 Jr. G Pittsford Mendon Vikings (Monroe County Division III) – Crafty playmaker with an impressive dose of bravado; possesses a unique blend of agility, court vision and strength, capable of finding teammates in transition with surprising pace on passes, knows how to use the dribble effectively to create passing lanes in the half-court; elevated release point on jumper makes him difficult to defend, has to be defended beyond the arc, quick first step makes him a threat to get to the basket, smooth mechanics getting the ball from the catch to release point, thrives in big moments; uses length as a disruption to opponents on the defensive end; active rebounder.
Sean Smith 6-foot-1 Jr. G Northstar Christian (Private-Independent) – Powerful off the dribble with soft shooting touch, thick shoulders and a solid torso Smith is comfortable taking the ball to the rack in traffic, he easily sheds contact and is rarely knocked off his line, established his range two to five feet behind the 3-point arc forcing opposing defenses to focus more than one player on him, can finish with either hand at the rim; willing defender who can take the opposing squad’s best ball handler and neutralize him, he is comfortable defending the opponent’s best shooter as well; active rebounder with a obvious for understanding the flight of the ball.
Names to know of other student-athletes from the 2021 class: Austin Brown/Greece Athena, Camden Chance/Clyde-Savannah, James Crowder/Prattsburgh, Chase Dickens/Victor, Chuck Domm/East Rochester, Andrew Gabbard/Gananda, Michael-John Grover/Perry, Wesley Henderson III/Aquinas, Luke Insley/Webster Schroeder, Collin James/Victor, Kris Johnson/Prattsburgh, Cam Loucks/Scio, Patrick Lustyk/HF-L, Ky’Mere Meeks/Webster Schroeder, Alex Minnehan /Livonia, Ke’Vion Mitchell/SOTA, Andrew Newcombe/Northstar Christian, Quinton Norris/North Rose-Wolcott, Aidan Royston/Marcus Whitman, Jeshua Shaw/World of Inquiry, Kyle Slywka/Waterloo, Justin Smith/Lyons, Reggie Smith/SOTA, Jah’Meir Speed/Monroe, Will Tehan/Victor, Albert Tomlin/Rochester Academy, Patrick Uebelacker/Spencerport, Keith Warren/McQuaid, Adam Williams/Gates-Chili, Connor Williams/Victor, Tyler Williams/Webster Thomas and Adam Wright/Geneseo.
Adam Williams says
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Paul Gotham says
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