By PAUL GOTHAM
Taking a look at some of the top hardwood performers from December 16th-31st.
Adonis Flagler 6-foot-3-inch Sr. F/G NE Douglass Panthers (RCAC) — Continues to dominate in a lineup depleted by injuries; with a pair of fellow starters on the bench (Lamar Lovelace has not yet played this year), Flagler shows no signs of giving in to the added attention he receives from opposing defenses; has to be guarded two steps behind the three-point arc, at the same time he uses his sturdy frame to get to the rim, strong off the dribble he can finish with either hand in traffic, has shown flashes of a mid-range game which only adds to the challenge for opponents; relentless rebounder with strong hands and an athletic frame, can leap with anybody in Section V and has learned to keep moving with the ball in the air; versatile defender he has had to accept a variety of responsibilities and handles them well taking away opposing threats on the interior and perimeter.
Lexi Green 5-foot-10-inch Jr. G Pittsford Mendon Lady Vikings (Monroe County Division III) — Crafty playmaker who understands how to play the game at her speed; seamlessly uses change of speed and change of pace, Green understands how to create for her teammates, a patient scorer, she looks to put the ball in teammates’ hands first but when given an opening she easily takes advantage, strong midrange game makes her a focus of opposing scouting reports; responsible defender, she understands how to move on the flight of the ball and be in position to defend before an opponent catches; an aggressive rebounder, strong hands and keen instincts she is adept at initiating transition recognizing when to use the outlet and when the middle of the floor is open for her to lead the break.
Kennyh Hardeman 6-foot-5-inch Sr. F/G Leadership Academy Lions (RCAC) — Exceptional rebounder who has added a consistent mid-range game; high motor player who easily sheds first block out attempt in rebounding situations, has a knack for the ball, he understands the geometry of caroms regularly getting himself in the right spot for the ball’s descent off the iron; can finish with either hand around the basket and in traffic, his midrange jumper sets him apart from other players, uses his foot speed to move around an imaginary arc 15 feet from the basket where he can fill it up; a versatile defender, Hardeman can chest up with players on the block, at the same time he is comfortable stepping out to the perimeter taking away driving paths from guards.
Wesley Henderson 6-foot-2-inch Jr. F Aquinas Li’l Irish (Independent) — Dynamic scorer who has the ability to distort a defense; With a quick first step, Henderson is capable of getting opposing defenders into retreat mode, he counters that with an impressive pull-up game in the mid-range, has to be defended beyond the arc where he can get in a rhythm and put together makes on consecutive attempts, a smooth left-handed shooter, he demonstrates a repetitive motion, quick trigger from a high release point makes him difficult to guard; a willing defender he uses his length and athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses; aggressive rebounder who moves well with the ball in flight.
Justus Ross-Simmons 6-foot-4-inch So. G East High Eagles (RCAC) – Rugged player with a tool chest full of fundamentals; it’s easy to overlook a firm foundation of principles Ross-Simmons possesses, he makes economic use of the dribble, easily sheds defenders while going to the basket, used just one dribble on a recent dunk when he caught the ball in the corner behind the arc – stepped past the primary defender and resisted the temptation to put the ball to floor in the paint instead he shrugged off the help-side defense; underrated playmaker, he sees diagonal passes in transition and can find seams in half-court sets to lead teammates to the basket; a relentless defender, he can matchup with the opposing team’s best player at any position, quick first step takes away a guard’s possible lane to the basket, reacts well in the post and understands how to defend before a man catches the ball.
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