I've briefly mentioned a couple times that I'll be introducing a new aspect to Empire State Takeover in coming weeks/months (whenever I can find the time to really get after it the right way). What will that be? I've been convinced by a few coaches at assorted college programs that starting a paid scouting service is a good idea. It's not something I was exploring at the beginning because I didn't want to be perceived as just some young guy trying to make a buck, which I'm not. However, it does make sense; it goes hand-in-hand with what I'm doing with the summer leagues and fall events. I'm out on the trail anyway. Why not organize everything I've seen on the court and been told from the players themselves and their coaches? I'm introducing this aspect with a free series of evaluations. Post-season all-star lists are trickling out, and I've watched the majority of these kids numerous times - only a few between Sections 2 & 3 that I haven't seen yet. These will include name, high school, height, grade, and a brief description of what you get with them. With a paid service down the road comes more info (intended major, necessary contact info, etc.).
*** Just a reminder... this isn't Empire State Takeover Scouting Service. This isn't an end game of sorts for me. The summer basketball leagues & college prep is and will continue to be my main focus. This is an added aspect to what I'm doing, since I'm out on the trail every night, even when coaches can't. There's a lot of info I've been gathering for the better part of 2 years that can be very helpful!
Now, for starters, the Suburban All-Stars.
MVP: Kevin Huerter (Shenendehowa, 6'5" jr G) As expected, Kevin's shown a great deal of growth in his game over the last year. Still most comfortable as a catch-and-shoot player from the perimeter, he can now use it to open up the rest of his game. He'll put it on the floor and get by defenders, either finishing with the mid-range game or at/above the rim. Had a baseline hammer off a backdoor cut in their regional final that made Henninger's bench give the stink face. Very rangy with long arms, gets hands on passes and makes good decisions on the break. He'll have his tuition, room & board paid for, just like his father that played basketball at Siena. As a junior, he currently has offers on the table from Albany, Siena, and Duquesne. He'll be playing EYBL with the City Rocks this year, and there are whispers about prep school being an option down the road. Averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game with a season high of 35, along with a team-high 63 threes. He's also shooting 81% from the line.
1st Team: Andrew Platek (Guilderland, 6'4" jr G) With the aforementioned Huerter in the discussion, I have to put the 'arguable' disclaimer.. but Platek's arguably the best shooter in Section 2. He was called upon to do much more for his Guilderland team than Huerter, who has a better cast around him at Shen. With that, he averaged a team-high 23.6 points per game, which included 86 threes. He also shot 88% from the line. Tireless running off screens for catch & shoot Js, also good in the isolation with 1-2 dribble moves into his jumper. At 6'4" with some lift under his shot, he can get it over the defense. Another Capital District junior with D1 in his future, he's got offers from Albany, Fairfield, and Yale, and he's also running with the City Rocks in a month for EYBL.
John Sica (Bethlehem, 6'7" sr G/F) Solid player on the court with the brains to match. Worked in the blocks more for his Bethlehem squad, but likes playing the swingman role. Has the ability to hit from deep, and can put it on the floor and get past defenders that he drags out from the blocks. Definitely more of a finesse player, but he's more willing to absorb contact now than in the past. Injuries have been an Achilles' heel for him (pun intended), with knee issues last year, a shoulder injury over the summer, and apparent injury issues that he played through part of this season. That didn't deter his next destination from jumping aboard the Sica train though - he's signed his NLI to attend and play basketball at Columbia next year. Averaged 18.2 points per game, hit a dozen threes and shot 76% from the line this season, while sitting out a 4 game stretch in late January-early February.
Myles Joyce (Averill Park, 6'4" sr G) Lot of 6'4" guards on this list, huh? Myles had a breakout year after spending some time being Mr. Underrated - the guy who looked every bit as effective as the bigger names, but didn't get the love. He averaged a team-high 17.7 points per game, shot 77% from the line while getting there more often than those mentioned above, and he hit 37 threes. Smart player that doesn't force the issue on O, makes the right play, and is a good defender when fully invested. He's possibly the best rebounding guard in the area. He's a great pickup for his future destination, SUNY Oneonta.
Thomas Huerter (Shenendehowa, 6'6" sr G) Older brother can hoop, too. Thomas is a glue guy for one of the best teams in the state in Class AA. You know what you're getting from him. The only three games he hasn't scored double digits have been blowouts, and he's given them double digits in the last 13 games. Not as much of a shooter as Kevin, but he's more adept at putting it on the floor and getting to the rim, absorbing contact and finishing. He's also a very smart player - the top comment about him from basketball minds is that he always makes the right play. Very rarely turns it over. Physically speaking, a late bloomer. His athleticism was a big knock last year, and now he's dunking on people and stronger than his matchup. Postgrad prep looks like the next step for him, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up at the D1 level after. Averaged 15.8 per game this year, upwards of 80% from the line with 26 threes.
2nd Team: Jahlil Nails (Columbia, 6'5" sr G) Jahlil was the victim of being about as much of a one-man show as you can possibly be this year. A true Division I talent, NLI signed and all, without any help. He has an unusually high release on his jumper - mix that with his height, and his jump shot is very difficult to affect, let alone block. He's a difficult shot maker, able to hit from mid-range and the perimeter with a hand in the face, off the dribble, on the catch, leaners, fadeaways, you name it. He needed every bit of that this year, averaging 20.7 points per game this year while having multiple defenders and every junk D in the world thrown at him. He got to the line a lot (at least 7 attempts in 60% of their games) and shot 71%. Nails will be headed to CCSU in the fall.
Brandon Fischer (Shenendehowa, 6'6" sr F) The only true post player on the Suburban all-star list this year. Brandon's shown great growth in his game over the last two years. He has a college-ready body and isn't afraid of physicality. Plays hard at both ends, runs the floor better than most bigs, has soft hands, rebounds well in & out of his area, and finishes well off an array of moves through contact. What more can you ask for? Add 2 inches, and he would be a Division I prospect, but he's totally fine with his future destination in Division II Le Moyne. He's averaging 11.1 points per game this season (still going, as the AA state champs have Federations this weekend) and collects board after board.
Nolan Smith (Colonie, 6'0" sr G) A pure scorer on a Colonie team that had intriguing pieces, but could never really put it together. This lefty has a refined offensive skill set, and everything about his game looks like it came right out of the textbook. Very fundamentally sound offensively. Size is a bit of an issue as a natural 2 guard. He anticipates well and can cause problems on defense - if he's fully invested. Would've liked to see him on a better, more consistent team where he could be used as more of a pure scorer than a team leader. He averaged 15.1 per game this year with a season high of 26, along with 35 3s on the season. Projects as a good Division III prospect.
Isaiah Moak (Averill Park, 6'0" jr G) Isaiah's game continues to improve at a drastic rate, almost from month to month. Personally watched his game improve from last June through August, and made a statement that if I had to pick a Most Improved Player for last year's King of Kings College Prospect League, I'd roll with him. Well, if I had to pick a Most Improved Player in the Suburban this year, it'd also be him. Fearless going to the rim and with a build like a running back, he's fine with contact. However, the big jump in his offensive game has come with his perimeter J. He wasn't really known for the 3, but he finished with a team high 47 3s this season, including multiple treys in 12 of his final 14 games. Moak also works hard on the defensive end - quick enough to defend other guards, yet physical enough to battle people 4-5 inches taller in the blocks sometimes. Jumps passing lanes well and will take charges/get on the floor for loose balls. He averaged 15 per game this season, including a season high 35 points (7 threes). He's now looking like a good Division III prospect with the improvement in his game.
Ralph Simeone (Guilderland, 6'1" sr G) Guilderland was more than a one-man show. When teams geared all of their interest on junior standout Andrew Platek, Simeone was the recipient and he took advantage. Developed as a reliable 2nd perimeter scorer for one of the top Suburban teams, typically from the point guard spot. He was out when I watched Guilderland this season, the only game he missed all year. He averaged 13.4 per game this season, eclipsing the 20 point mark 3 times. A lot of that came from beyond the arc, where he hit 37 treys. Another Division III prospect here.
More coming from other leagues soon!
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