By PAUL GOTHAM
Surveying some of the top performers in Section V from the past week (February 14-20). Continuing from past weeks, this includes the first player off the bench and comments from opposing coaches.
AUSTIN BROWN 6-foot-4-inch Sr. F Greece Athena Trojans (Monroe County Division III) — Rugged interior player who has developed as a perimeter threat; Brown is a tough assignment to keep off the glass, equipped with strong hands and quick feet he routinely resists first block-out attempts when the ball is in the air, sound instincts in understanding the path of the ball combined with quick twitch movements help Brown regularly win 50-50 battles in the paint; he can score from behind the 3-point arc, but defenses must account for him in the mid-range, confident with catch-and shoot in the 15-17′ range; versatile defender, he matches up well with bigs in the post, at the same time can step out and contain smaller guards off the dribble; his best basketball is ahead of him. Coach’s insights: “He’s got great length and athleticism and you have to know where he is. He’s a good 3-point shooter.” Bob Nally/Pittsford Mendon
CLINIQUE JACKSON 6-foot-1-inch Sr. G East High Eagles (Rochester City Athletic Conference) — Strong and durable Jackson is a multifaceted guard; possessing a stable center of gravity he is as difficult as any player in Section V to knock off the ball, is at his best in traffic but that is not to suggest that he is ineffective in the open court, sees the floor well and understands how to deliver the ball to teammates in spots where they can convert; underrated defender, nobody tougher in Section V when it comes to winning a 50-50 ball, he blows up passing lanes with his athleticism and anticipation; can finish with either hand at the rim; just scratching the surface of his ability. Coach’s insights: “He has a high motor and is aggressive, never gives up on a play. He is the catalyst for their pressure defense, a total team player. If Clinique played for another team, he could easily average 18-plus points per game.” Reggie Simmons/Edison Tech.
TEAGAN KAMM 6-foot-1-inch Jr. C Honeoye Falls-Lima Cougars (Monroe County Division IV) — Active interior player with a versatile game; has more career rebounds (705) than points (667), it is easy to see that Kamm’s strength is her ability to stay in motion while the ball is in the air (and that is not to suggest she can’t finish), smooth and agile with advanced footwork she understands how to maintain possession after securing the ball; can finish with either hand at the rim and has to be defended 15-17′ feet from the basket where she is effective in catch-and-shoot situations; footwork is an asset also on the defensive end of the floor where she is effective in defending before the opponent receives the ball. Coach’s insights: “Teagan has really grown her game this year. Defensively, she impacts the game with her ability to block and change shots. Offensively, she has a nice touch around the rim and runs the floor well creating opportunities for herself and teammates in transition.”
KE’VION MITCHELL 5-foot-11-inch Sr. G School of the Arts Silverhawks (Rochester City Athletic Conference) — A dynamic offensive threat, Mitchell has to be accounted for at all times on the court; he is his best in the open court where he makes high-level decisions with the ball, he can finish in traffic, at the same time possesses the speed and composure to get ahead of defenses and finish, he has added consistency from behind the 3-point arc that creates space for himself and teammates; an aggressive defensive player, he dictates to opposing ballhandlers and anticipates well and gets into passing lanes. Coach’s insights: “Ke’Vion has many attributes that make him a tough guard: lefty, good handle, changes speeds well, range with his 3 and most importantly he stays on balance. On defense, he is aggressive and sets the tone for SOTA’s pressure. At some point, everyone who you watch play basketball will remind you of a famous player. Ke’Vion over the years reminds me of Nick VanExel. Maybe it is the lefty thing, both streaky shooters, both great handle.” Matt McCormick/Monroe High
BELLA PUCCI 5-foot-9-inch So. G Fairport Red Raiders (Monroe County Division I) — A multi-faceted guard who possesses perhaps the best balance of hands in Section V; Pucci never looks like the game is too fast for her, she is well within her range two feet behind the 3-point arc, she can go right or go left, step into a shot and finish, she understands how to make reads in ball-screen situations and needs just the slightest amount of space to execute; a responsible defender, she moves well when the ball is in flight so that she is in spot take away potential opportunities for an opponent; frequently runs down long rebounds. Coach’s insights: “She’s a very strong ballhandler with both hands. She provides multiple problems for opposing teams because she can beat you off the dribble and hit the open shot.” Kurt Graupman/Hilton
ADAM WILLIAMS 6-foot-4-inch Sr. G/F Gates-Chili Spartans (Monroe County Division I) — Key contributor to an undefeated Gates team he is a dynamic performer who has made the transition from interior to perimeter player; Williams recently reached the career 1,000-point plateau, not to be overlooked is that he has continued to produce while making the adjustment from catching the ball with his back to the basket early in his career and now as a catch-and face player, he can convert behind the 3-point arc, but his work in the mid-range separates him from others, physically gifted it is difficult to keep him from what he wants; an imposing defensive player, he is a disruption to smaller guards who can’t see past him, at the same time his quick footwork allows him to deny in the post, combine that with the ability to elevates quickly and he has an impressive skill set; a tireless rebounder, his high motor is a nuisance to opponents who can’t keep him off the glass. Coach’s insights: “Adam is a tough matchup. He can score at all three levels with his combination of size and athleticism. Not surprised at all of his and the team’s success.” Chris Reed/Rush-Henrietta
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