PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pittsburgh, Johnstown - Douglas Pier, SF, Honorable Mention
On a forward heavy team with only two guys listed at guard, the SF’s get lots of time at guard. However, Doug Pier plays as the UPJ starting SF. An honorable mention All-American, Piers is what you think of when looking for a well-rounded player you’d expect to star at SF. In addition to elite athleticism (80) and defense (93), he has excellent SF speed (76) and can rebound well enough to play PF (52). He can score from the post (43) and perimeter (75) and can capitalize when getting fouled (B). He leads UPJ in scoring (14.8/gm) and rebounds (5.5/gm).
Lewis - Dustin Page, SG
While SF
Daniel Frazier and his 99 PE at SF and Honorable Mention C
Ronald Thornton with his 100 REB/ 90DEF/ 96BLK combo both make outsized contributions to the current #2 ranked team, the fortunes of Lewis in tight games will likely be most closely correlated to the fortunes of SG Dustin Page, current team lead in PPG (15.8), Assists (2.8/gm), and steals (1.8/gm). However, he also leads the team in fouls (3.8/gm). Where Page really stands out is elite speed (98) and tremendous passing ability (95) to go while his ability to score from the perimeter (81). His weakness is below average defense (43).
Alaska, Fairbanks - Jack Goodwin, PG, 3
rd Team All American
A converted SG, Goodwin showcases PG skills with 90 BH, but also still demonstrates his natural SG skills, leading Alaska Fairbanks in scoring with 15.5 PPG. Where Goodwin is particularly dangerous is a solid baseline of athleticism (76) and speed (89) combined with a dual threat from the perimeter (77) and post (70). Given that he has close to top end speed, the post skills are extremely impressive. While it hasn’t come to fruition just yet, you would expect Goodwin to draw plenty of fouls and get opposing guards into foul trouble. With a C+ FT rating, it remains to be seen if he can hit shots from the charity stripe at a high enough rate.
Coker - Charles Carbone, C
While Charles Cabrone has a fairly traditional profile for a star post player, such as great athleticism (88) and defense (84), solid rebound skills (80), and the ability to score from the post (71) that helped him average 16.9 ppg as a junior. However, what really separates Carbone are his 91 stamina, which is great for a guard, let alone a post player, and his B+ FT rating, also rare in a post player. Combined with his strong post skills, his stamina and ability to hit free throws can potentially make him a monster down the stretch as he wears opposing teams out and chips in with a high FT rate, where he has been above 75% his soph-o-more season (will that get censored?).
Dowling - Christopher Birkland, SF, Honorable Mention
While juniors
Seth Herrington, PG, and
Edward Railsback, C, are both making their presence felt this season, senior SF Birkland will be key to Dowling’s success, especially after a banner season that saw him average 23 ppg last season and has hi on pace to finish as the #3 all time-Dowling scorer. He starts off with top of the line athleticism (94) and defense (96). Add in SF versatility with speed (68) and rebounding skills (48) as well as a good combo of perimeter (68) and post skills (58) with a B- FT rating and 80% FT% this season, and you have a player that is difficult to game plan for that can change the outcome of gams against other top teams.
CSU, Stanislaus - William Orr, PG, 1
st Team All-American
While fellow PG
Harold Strange is leading the team right now with D2 6
th best 22.5 PPG off the bench, William Orr is 15
th in D2 with 19.5 PPG. What helped make Orr a 1
st Team All American is the profile any D1 team would want in a PG. In addition to solid athleticism (70), he has top end speed (100), and great PG skills (BH – 93, P – 86) to go with an effective perimeter rating (86). The combo of Orr, Strange, and Lathan, all upperclass guards with 90+ speed changes the dynamics of the game since you will have a constant barrage facing guards of opposing teams trying to keep pace with this FB/FCP team. For context, realize CSU, Stanislaus has hit more FT (119) than the opposing teams have attempted against them (104), and just these 3 guards have alone almost attempted as many FT as opponents’ entire teams (92 to 104).