Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest Report Part 2

* Any college coach seeking additional information on any players, including projected collegiate level, may make an inquiry at necorridorhoops@gmail.com

Ryan Kresge 6’4 Wing 2022 (L&L Running Rebels/Nazareth HS): Kresge made an impact in a variety of ways during L&L Running Rebels’ victory over Runnin Mavericks. Has a smooth stroke from beyond the arc, hitting treys effectively both when spotting up or on the move. Drained a long ball in transition after hitting a teammate cutting to the hoop then getting the ball right back for the trey from an open spot on the wing. Also nailed a spot up three-pointer from the wing on a drive and kick from a teammate. Kresge also moves well without the ball in transition. Had a nice play running the floor hard after a teammate’s rebound, getting rewarded with an on-point outlet pass for a layup. On another play in transition, he made a timely cut to the basket and drew a shooting foul. Kresge makes his presence felt on the offensive glass too. Corralled a pair of his own misses from beyond the arc to score on a layup on one and draw a shooting foul on the other . He was in the right spot for a putback layup off a teammate’s missed layup in transition. Finished the game with 15 points. Defensively, he closes out and contests hard on opponents, using his size and length to force them into lower percentage attempts. Kresge also makes a concerted effort to box out opponents on the defensive glass. Had four defensive rebounds to go with his three offensive boards.

Dylan Young 5’10 Combo Guard 2022 (Central PA Elite/Carlisle HS): Young was outstanding from long range in Central PA Elite’s double overtime win against Project Triple Threat. The southpaw has textbook form with a quick release on his shot, making three-pointers at a very good rate when spotting up. Made opponents pay for helping off him in the lane, hitting three treys on drive and kicks from teammates. Young’s success from deep early in the game paid off later when an opponent closed out too hard and fouled him on a three-point make in transition. Also drew a foul on another attempt from beyond the arc. Had five treys in the contest and 23 points total. He can also make teammates better with his playmaking ability. Had a pair of nice plays in transition, hitting his big man cutting for a layup and, after pushing the ball, finding a teammate spotting up for a three from the wing. Young also made the correct read in the halfcourt finding a teammate in the lane when his man collapsed on him.

Jack Hall 6’3 Shooting Guard 2022 (Project Triple Threat HGSL/St. Thomas More School): Hall got hot in the second half during Project Triple Threat’s loss in double overtime to Central PA Elite. Makes three-pointers efficiently both on the move and when spotting up. Hit a pair of spot up treys from the wings in the halfcourt and in transition. Also hit two long balls on the move, getting the ball on a handoff from the corner on a sideline out of bounds play, as well as moving to the open spot on the wing in transition. Kelly also complements his potent shooting with the ability to get to the rim and he moves well without the ball when opponents overplay him. Had a nice drive from the top of the key using a crossover hesitation move to get by an opponent and finish at the rim. Also scored an easy bucket off a backdoor cut. Finished the game with 25 points. Defensively, Hall uses his 6’6 wingspan to make it difficult for opponents to shoot over the top of him, and also gets his hands on balls for steals and deflections. Had a pair of thefts, one when he picked off a pass when an opponent tried to backdoor cut him,and another when he stole the ball on a sideline out of bounds pass. Hall also has a knack for being around the ball when it comes off the rim. Corralled five rebounds in the contest.

Andon Martin 6’0 Shooting Guard 2022 (Team PA-Yancey/Chambersburg HS) Martin provided a spark off the bench for Team PA in their last second loss to New England Storm. Showcased the ability to hit three-pointers off the dribble particularly well. Has a nice through-the-legs move that he used on a pair of occasions to create space against his defender to nail treys from the top of the key. Martin also has the ability to make threes on the move. Hit a long ball from the top of the key coming off a screen from the elbow. He is not just a one dimensional player, as he can get to the basket effectively with his ball handling and first step off the dribble. Had a nice play using a double through-the-legs move to get by an opponent and finish a layup, in addition to a straight line drive from the top of the key for an and-1. Martin had 13 points in the game.

Charlie Jackson 6’4 Wing 2022 (Team Takeover Orange/Episcopal HS): Jackson did a nice job of letting the game come to him in Team Takeover Orange’s win against Virginia Premier. He plays within the offense and rarely takes bad shots. Has a smooth stroke from long range, making threes efficiently when spotting up. Hit a pair of treys from the wing and corner on drive and kicks from teammates. Jackson can also put the ball on the floor and finish effectively at the rim. Used a shot fake from the wing to get by an opponent and finish a layup, in addition to getting by an opponent with a straight line drive to finish off the backboard. Had 12 points in the contest. Jackson is sound with his rotations when defending on or off the ball. Also makes a solid impact on the glass using his size and willingness to put a body on opponents when boxing out. Corralled five rebounds in the game.

Kelvin Choice 6’6 Small Forward 2022 (Virginia Premier/Glen Allen HS): Choice showed intriguing upside on both ends of the floor during Virginia Premier’s loss to Team Takeover Orange. The southpaw can stretch the floor proficiently from deep both when spotting up or on the move. Nailed a trey from the corner on a good extra pass from his teammate, in addition to hitting another long ball from the corner on a drive and kick from a teammate. Also drained a pick and pop three-pointer from the top of the key, and moved to the corner when his defender doubled the ball to be in position to make a long two. Finished the game with 14 points. Defensively, Choice has the ability to guard both wing spots with his size and lateral quickness. Does a nice job of not giving up when he gets beat off the dribble. After an opponent got by him, he recovered quickly, blocking the shot off the glass which started a break for his team that led to a layup. Also is aggressive using his length to take away passing angles from opponents. Made a nice steal when he jumped into a passing lane in transition as an opponent tried to hit a teammate ahead on the break.

Niko Barnes 6’4 Combo Guard 2022 (NJ Panthers Select/Edison HS): Barnes hit a variety of important shots throughout the game in NJ Panthers Select’s overtime victory over NOVA Cavaliers. Is a solid three-point shooter, especially when spotting up. Hit a pair treys from the corners on drive and kicks from teammates. Also has a smooth mid-range pull-up game. Drained a one dribble pull-up from 15 feet when penetrating from the wing. Barnes understands how to move well without the ball. Had a nice cut to the basket for a layup when his defender doubled a teammate in the post, and made another sharp cut to the hoop for a layup when he caught his defender sleeping. Had 13 points in the contest. While Barnes did not have any assists in the game, he has shown in high school to be a good playmaker, effectively finding teammates for high percentage layups on drive-and-dishes in the lane and push-ahead passes in transition. Averaged nearly 4 assists per game this past high school season.

Margad Choijilsuren 6’4 Combo Guard 2023 (NOVA Cavaliers-Corish/Fairfax HS): Choijilsuren showed a versatile game in NOVA Cavaliers’ overtime loss to NJ Panthers Select. He is a solid three-point shooter both off the bounce and on the move. Hit a trey from the top of the key coming off a ball screen, and also nailed a three-pointer from the corner coming off a double-screen on a sideline out of bounds play. Choijilsuren also has an impressive mid-range game with his pull-up. Drained a two dribble pull-up from the elbow coming off a ball screen, and hit another two dribble pull-up from ten feet. Finished the game with 17 points. Choijilsuren is a good playmaker, particularly on ball screens and drive-and-kicks. Hit the roll man on a precise pocket pass for a layup, along with another similar play where his teammate drew a shooting foul at the rim. Also found a pair of teammates in the corners for three-pointers off drive-and-kicks. He is a smart defender who understands the right times when to be aggressive or just defend straight up. Had a pair of steals in the contest, one after jumping into a passing lane for a steal off a telegraphed pass by an opponent, and he picked off another opponent's pass to a teammate next to the hoop to prevent a layup. Is also willing to do the dirty work inside to make tough rebounds. Averaged over seven rebounds per game this past high school season.

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