Hoop Group PA Tip-Off Report

*All 2021 Prospects

Carter Day 5’8 Point Guard (York Ballers/Kennard-Dale HS): Day stood out in York Ballers win over SJ Hoops Elite with his playmaking ability. He finished the contest with five assists, consistently finding teammates for open three-pointers off dribble penetration. He ran the offense very smoothly and let the game come to him. Day has a good handle that he used well to do a good job of taking care of the ball. Also showed his ability as a shot maker, scoring on two very nice mid-range pull-ups and a spot up three-pointer. He was a pest on defense, finishing the game with 3 steals. He took advantage of when his opponents weren’t strong with the ball, using his quick hands to take it away from them. Also did a solid job of moving his feet to limit opponents from getting by him. With continued performances like this which significantly contribute to team wins, D3 schools in a league like the Atlantic East should be showing more interest.

Logan Jagodzinski 6’6 Small Forward (SJ Hoops Elite/Moorestown HS): Coming off a strong showing at Hoop Group Academic Elite camp, where he won MVP, Jagodzinski continued that momentum with a nice performance against York Ballers. He’s developed into a legitimate wing player with the progression of his three-point shot. Had two three-pointers in this contest. His first three-pointer was off of a strong jab-step move to create space against his defender. His other three-pointer was towards the end of the game with his team trailing. The defense cut him off from getting all the way to the hoop so he dribbled it behind the three-point line to get his team a much needed bucket at that time. Also had two very nice mid-range pull-ups that he can get off with ease because of his size. Also had a pair of assists as well finding teammates for open three-pointers. Defensively, Jagodzinski significantly impacted this game on the glass, finishing with six rebounds. He has no problem getting physical with opponents in the paint and also has a knack for being in the right place at the right time when the ball comes off the hoop. Is also a very good student in the classroom. Has firmly established himself as a scholarship level player who D2 schools in leagues like the CACC and NE-10 should be following. Could get D1 schools in a league like the Patriot to show more interest if he can continue progressing on his ball handling and shooting in addition to proving he can defend more athletic wing players.

Alex Griggs 6’1 Point Guard (Team Final Red/First Love Christian Academy): Griggs made his presence felt against PK Flash with his shot making ability. He finished the game with 15 points, scoring in a variety of ways. Made two three-pointers. He used a jab-step on the first one to create space against his defender in order to get his shot off. On his other three he caught the ball and realized his defender was giving him too much space so he made them pay. Also had a nice step-back jumper for a long two in addition to a strong finish at the rim off a drive. Defensively, he made his opponents have to work very hard to get past him with his good lateral quickness. Likes to use his strong body to play physical defense but understands how to do it without fouling. Strong student in the classroom who D2 schools in leagues like the NE-10 and PSAC should be tracking. Could get D1 schools in a league like the Patriot to show more interest if he can improve his explosiveness to be able to finish at the rim consistently at that level.

Trey Metzka 6’5 Shooting Guard (PK Flash/Struthers HS(OH)): Metzka did an outstanding job of spacing the floor for PK Flash in their win over Team Final Red. He finished the game with 14 points on four three-pointers. Has a very quick release with textbook form keeping his elbow in. Showed the ability to make threes in various ways. Made three-pointers both spotting up and on the move. Another one of his threes followed him snagging a long rebound and, seeing that the rim was protected upon taking the ball down court, he converted a smooth transition three. Metzka gives a commendable effort on the defensive end as well. Made an important impact on that end with his rebounding, pulling down 5 rebounds in the game. He used his strength well and did a good job anticipating where the ball would bounce off the rim. Also a high IQ defender who is consistently in the right spots on his rotations to be in help defense or to challenge an opponent’s shot. Is an exceptional student in the classroom. D2 schools in leagues like the Mountain East and NE-10 should be keeping an eye on Metzka. Could get D1 schools in a league like the Patriot to show stronger interest if he can improve his ball handling to be more of a contributor as a secondary ball handler, in addition to becoming more of a creator off the dribble to complement his shooting ability.

Ethan Andersen 6’8 Combo Forward (PK Flash/Boardman HS (OH)): Another PK Flash player who stood out in their win over Team Final Red was Andersen. A stretch 4 who showed this past high school season at Boardman that he can’t be left open from three-point range. Despite shooting 1/5 from three in this game, he spaced the floor for his team, forcing the defense to respect him from long range because of his confidence in his shot. On his one trey, Andersen showed his good basketball IQ by moving to the corner to help his teammate get a better angle to find him with the pass. Can get his shot off with ease because of his size and quick release. Scored on a nice out of bounds play coming off of a screen for a mid-range jumper. While he primarily plays the power forward position, Andersen can also play some small forward showing the ability at times to put the ball on the floor from the wing and get to the basket. Also showed good ability as an offensive rebounder, corralling three of them in this contest. Finished the game with nine points. Despite his lack of strength, Andersen was outstanding on the defensive glass, pulling down five rebounds to bring his total to eight for the game. He does a good job of getting position against stronger opponents. Made a concerted effort to challenge shots with his length to force opponents into lower percentage shots. A player who low-major D1 schools should be checking out. Will need to add muscle to have a greater impact at the next level. Could get mid-major interest if he can also improve his ball handling to create more off the dribble as well as make three-pointers at a higher volume to become a legitimate wing player.

Justin Green 6’5 Small Forward (PSB Philly/Pope John Paul II): Green continued his strong play after a standout high school season, leading PJP to a District 1 4A Title as well as making second team all state. In a tough loss to Team Final Red he finished with 16 points. Has a very quick first step when driving from the wings with the ability to score with either hand at the rim. Also is very good at cutting to the right spots at the right times to get easy buckets. Didn’t make any three-pointers in this game but has the ability to do that as he made 35 three-pointers this past high school season at 38%. Defensively, he is fundamentally sound on his rotations, and he uses his size and length well to make it difficult for opponents to shoot over him. Is also a solid rebounder who uses his leaping ability and acumen for getting position on opponents to rebound well. Does very well in the classroom. D2 schools in leagues like the NE-10 and PSAC should be checking out Green. Could get Patriot League schools to show more interest if he can improve his ball handling to contribute more as a secondary ball handler, as well as show he can make three-pointers at a higher volume.

Kekoa McArdle 6’8 Power Forward (The House We Built/Northfield Mount Hermon School): McArdle was a consistent contributor inside for The House We Built in their loss to NY Lightning Select. Finished the game with 13 points. Excels playing with his back to the basket where he has a very soft touch finishing around the rim. Scored multiple times posting up on the left block and then used a right handed dribble to score on the opposite block. Has good footwork in the paint, consistently keeping his pivot foot intact to avoid walk calls. Can score in the paint effectively with either hand. Also does a good job keeping his head up to find open teammates as he had three assists in the contest. McArdle found teammates for a pair of open threes in the halfcourt and also hit a cutting teammate in transition for a layup. Defensively, he made a notable impact with his energy challenging shots at the rim and going for rebounds off the glass. Rebounds at a high rate, boxing out opponents with his strong body and displaying an intense desire for the ball. A very good student in the classroom who D2 schools in a league like the NE-10 should be following. Could get Patriot League schools to show stronger interest if he can improve his three-point shooting ability so he can play more consistently on the outside to be a floor spacer for his teams.

John Seidman 6’3 Combo Guard (East Coast Power/Haverford HS): Seidman showcased his outstanding shooting skill in East Coast Power’s last second win over NY Lightning Select. Finished the game with four three-pointers and 15 points total. Had a nice three where he moved from the wing to the opposite corner when his teammate was driving baseline to provide an easier target to receive the pass. Had another three-pointer that showcased his ability to shoot on the move off of a fade screen. Scored an important and-1 towards the end of the game for his team on an out of bounds play where he made a cut to the hoop coming off a screen. Also showed his ability to play the point guard spot for a significant portion of the game, proving he can contribute as a secondary ball handler and make good decisions with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he rebounded the ball very well finishing the game with six rebounds. Seidman showed an aptitude for being in the right spots at the right times when the ball comes off the glass. Also gave a valiant effort moving his feet and contesting shots against more athletic opponents. An elite student in the classroom. Seidman has proven himself to be a scholarship level talent who D2 schools in the NE-10 and PSAC should be tracking. With more performances like this one against high level competition, D1 schools in a league like the Patriot should be showing more interest.

Copyright © 2020 Jared Exler, All rights reserved.