Pound the Rock Recap - Saturday, 4/18

Planned on going to NERR Hoops in Boston area Saturday, but a hefty price tag on an overnight tow forced my hand in making the decision to stick around. Pound the Rock has been a staple in the Albany area for a while - it was well-established when I was going through the circuit in HS - and this was no different. Most teams in the age groups I watched were relatively local, but there were teams I caught from the Mid-Hudson (Elite Hoops), Western MA (The Squad, Berkshire Elite), and central CT (Wins 4 Life). The recap:

12th Grade - I can't watch seniors play AAU anymore. If they're not playing for their college exposure lives at a certified event, it's like watching pickup hoops at the YMCA or a local rec league. Pointless. Next!

11th Grade - Much better luck with the 17s. I didn't watch every 17 group (only around half of them), but it was a solid sample set. The majority of what I missed was from local groups where I know what they have, anyway. The two best teams I caught were Mike's Dogs and Anaconda, both area teams but with very different makeups. More info below.

10th Grade - I've been having more luck watching 16s than any other age group this spring. I can't say the same about this day, but there were a couple solid teams. Just so happened to watch them battle in the evening, with Elite Hoops holding off Wins 4 Life by 3. The best players in the bracket that I was able to see were on these teams - I'll get into that.

Players to Watch

Rory Flaherty (Albany Academy; 2015, doing PG prep) - Rory seems to be the leader of whatever team he's on. Leader of a young, but talented Albany Academy squad this year that lost in Class A Federation finals, and led this Mike's Dogs group. The senior will be attending Deerfield Academy in MA next year for a PG season, and the smart, hard-nosed 6'0" point guard looks to be a great NESCAC-type prospect.

Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater; 2016) - The 6'2" combo guard was a standout for his HS team, one of the top players in his league, and one of the small-school kids who can hang with the 'big boys'. Scorers score, and the 20+ PPG talent came through. The jumper was going, which opened up the drive, and his offensive output helped Mike's Dogs blow out an outmatched Springfield Blazers team by 33. Type of kid that a lot of D3 schools could use.

Steve Low (Albany Academy; 2016) - Provided a little size for Mike's Dogs, being a long-armed 6'4", but he also spreads the floor on O with the ability to knock down the trey. Shot was off in this one, so he made up for it by getting after it on the glass at both ends. Picked up a few extra second-chance points outworking everyone. Like his HS teammate above, Steve's another really solid NESCAC-type kid, and he's already visited a couple.

Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic; 2016) - Evan's reputation is that you don't have to call plays for him to make his presence felt. Another small-school kid - decent size in his league, but a very undersized post in the grand scheme of things at around 6'3" - but a welcome sight in this game was some budding guard skills. Never get to see that at his HS, but he showed an ability to put the ball on the deck from the wing and create a few times. His rebounding ability, especially for his size, and work ethic are his biggest attributes - kind of glue guy that coaches love. He's working his way onto D3 radars, with Hamilton most recently reaching out.

Ralph Simeone (Guilderland; 2015) - Ralph got hot for Team 518 and was a driving force behind them picking up a W over Troy Cougars. 3rd (and at times 2nd) option behind the Andrews (Platek & Sischo) on his HS team this year, he relished in a role beyond top role player with this team.

Tim Doyle (Niskayuna; 2015) - Has the look of a basketball player. Wasn't aggressive for Team 518, but when he wanted to attack against this Cougars team, it worked. The 6'3" point guard got others involved and kept everyone happy. D3 level prospect - I heard Hamilton was the future destination a few months ago.

Davonte Jones (Lansingburgh; 2017) - Just a sophomore, Davonte was the main reason Troy Cougars stayed in the game until the end. Slight in build, but just a fun kid to watch. Good handle, very quick but very rarely is out of control, capable jump shooter, hustles at both ends. When he wants to get to the rim, he usually does, and he finishes well through contact but also looks to keep others involved. Looks like he takes pride in defensive abilities. At this rate, he'll be a strong D3 pickup in a couple years.

Damonte White (Mekeel Christian Academy; 2016) - Most kids want to be guards. At 6'5" and probably 220-230 pounds, Damonte's cool with doing all of his work 15 feet and in. The lefty does a nice job catching and finishing, has a go-to move and counter move, and showed a nice ability to pass in high-low situations. Not sure what his plans are for next year - eligibility due to repeating a grade is an issue, although he was young for his grade before that - but he's someone for D3 and JuCo programs to keep an eye on.

Todd Spottswood (Schenectady; 2015) - Not sure what Todd's doing next year, but his top asset is unmistakable. Dude's big. The tallest player I saw at the tournament, at 6'8", with a wide frame. He's lost a good amount of weight and worked himself into better shape than he was a year ago. Still only truly impacts slower paced games, but does a good job working 10 feet and in. Also had a few surprisingly nice passes out of the post. Seems like your typical 'gentle giant' - mild-mannered, might take some revving up. Size and attributes make him someone to keep an eye on, especially if he's going JuCo next year.

Neftali Lind (Schenectady; 2016) - As far as 2016 scholarship-level talent goes, it was lacking in this tournament. That being said, Neftali was one of just a couple there that I could see making it at the Division II level. 6'2" with a well-rounded game, good attitude, and explosive athleticism, he outclassed pretty much everyone at the tournament on ability. Not sure what academics are like, but as far as on-court goes, definitely a VERY good D3 pickup and could see him at the D2 level.

Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet; 2016) - The other one I could see at the D2 level. Not as strong of a defender and not as athletic as Neftali, but he was the purest offensive player at the tournament. Great shooter (catch & shoot, off the dribble, on the move, you name it) with parking lot range, but doesn't overly rely on it. Very crafty putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim, and he can find the open man when not many others can. He, along with the three mentioned above, played for an Anaconda squad that destroyed the Hudson River Titans team they played (up 50-12 at half), but Ty'Jon also plays with City Rocks.

Mike Mann (Mekeel Christian Academy; 2016) - Known strictly as a shooter (83 3s for his team this winter, 249 of his 298 points came from beyond the arc), he used a couple early made threes to open up the court. Put the ball on the floor and got into the lane a few times & made good passes off the dribble to cutters or shooters spotting up. Still about as much of a specialist as you'll find, but he fits a role that some programs look for, especially those with dynamic point guards. That Hudson River Titans did not have a fun time against these boys.

James Anozie (Our Lady of Lourdes; 2017) - Raw, but has pure size and strength. 6'5"-6'6" with a body on him that he enjoys using to mix it up in the blocks. Deceptive athleticism - kinda pulled a Shaq, taking the ball down the court after getting it in the middle against the press and nearly cramming one home against two defenders. He got hacked on the attempt, but it's AAU, so no foul. Again, very raw - needs a lot of time in the gym working on footwork, but will shape into a nice prospect with that work. Driving force behind Elite Hoops' 3 point W over Wins 4 Life, despite playing without Beau Smith, perhaps their best player.

Andrew Jaworski (Tolland (CT); 2017) - Definitely had the most upper body strength, and perhaps the most strength in general, among 2017 guards there. Looks like he's been in the weight room for a while. Pretty refined offensive game - he'll hit the 3, get to the rack and finish at the rim, and can create his own shot off the dribble, including hitting a couple difficult stepback jumpers in key moments of games. Needs to lay off a little on the defensive end, somewhat foul prone, but it'll come. Kid can play. He was my favorite to watch on the Wins 4 Life team on this day.

Daniel Brocke (Hall (CT); 2017) - Tallest player in the 16s, looked to be about 6'7". Needs work on the offensive end with footwork and post moves, but impacts the game at the defensive end, rebounds well, and runs the court extremely well for your average person that height and age. A lot of his points came on the break. He's not always finishing above the rim, but he has the ability to. If he works on refining the offensive game, he'll be a force.

Nate Laszewski (Avon (CT); 2017) - The 6'6" forward didn't have his best game when I watched, but what he brings to the table is undeniable. He's a hard worker on the court that has the physical tools to be a force at the next level. Widely regarded as one of the top couple dozen prospects in the Class of '17 in New England. If the name's not on the radar yet, get it on there!

Chill, fam: The WTF Moment of the Day

I could go a few different ways with this one. The fight in the first game I watched? How about the fight in the second one? I could talk about parents, but that would be too easy. One topped them all, though. At a site that I won't name, an AAU coach that I won't name (the father of a western Mass player that I won't name) went pretty hard hitting on the site coordinator... a local HIGH SCHOOL girls basketball player... that I won't name. You know I had to ask if she got his number. I don't like to join the crowd and use this word, but there's only one thing I could say to that... BRUH. I consider myself too old to do that. I'm 23. You're almost 50. Come on! Gotta love what you see on the circuit!