|
Post by WorcesterGray on Feb 10, 2019 7:56:48 GMT -5
Great report, Dave - thanks.
|
|
|
Post by trimster on Feb 10, 2019 8:22:40 GMT -5
Finally able to sit down and hammer out a few more notes. Thanks again to '92 for mentioning the JV game. I entered the complex from a different entrance than my last visit 7 years ago, and had no idea they had 2 gyms. I finally asked and confirmed I was in the JV gym. The Governors JV coach (with about 3 minutes before his game) then walked me out of the gym and down the hallway to the varsity gym. How's that for service! Back to Joe. As for next year, I think at least from a purely physical standpoint, he would be ready to contribute right away. He is aggressive, has a wiry but strong looking body, and is not lacking for confidence. It's just so hard to gauge his skills in a game that really did not look any more competitive than your average Central Mass high school game. With one exception outside of Joe, there may have been 3-4 kids out there imho that would be D3 candidates, but that's about it. Having said that, here are some of the things l liked: first, he has a nice looking shot, no weird looking release, nice rotation and arc on the ball. Think he was 1-3 on triples. His drives to the basket, while predominately right handed, were very strong and aggressive. I could see him someday drawing a lot of fouls. I think he was 4-7 on free throws, but again, nice looking form. I think he just didn't have enough forward lean on his misses. On the other side of the ledger, he was a bit sloppy at times with the ball (one travel, another time he dribbled the ball off his foot, had a ill advised pass). Finally, he ran the offensive on many occasions, except when they brought this other kid off the bench. Defensively, he is very interesting. They played quite a bit of zone, with both 1-3-1 and 2-3 (where he played both out front and in the back). In a 1-3-1 I could see him playing both out top (where he did yesterday) and running the baseline (just enough height and quickness I think). He seems to like playing D, which is encouraging. As for intangibles - no doubt he is their leader, and is very enthusiastic. At halftime, he ran to the exit, then turned and waited for his teammates, hand slapping each one as they came off the court. In pregame, at the very end, they ran a football style drill when he faced all his teammates. They then followed his movements, first laterally both ways, then backwards, then forwards before coming together. I think he could be a very interesting piece of the puzzle. We'll see. This visit reminded me of my trip to Exeter to see Kyle C 2 years ago. It was during this game where this unknown kid caught my eye....turned out to be Jacob Grandison. Yesterday, there was one other kid who I thought stood out. His name is Eljay Morris, from England. He is class of 2020, about Joe's size. He came over here with Marcus Bucknall, son of former Governor's (and UNC) great Steve Bucknall. Not much info out there on him, but I'll be curious to see how he develops: www.newburyportnews.com/sports/local_sports/british-baller-london-s-eljay-morris-taking-game-to-new/article_1a6d1319-99ca-5b0c-aaad-ccaa6008637f.htmlThank you Dave for taking the to go see JP play and the follow up report. I like what both you and Worcester Gray had to say about what he brings to the table defensively. Very encouraging.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Feb 10, 2019 8:41:02 GMT -5
Thanks,NAD Thorough job Maybe you can publish a scouting service for your next gig
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Feb 10, 2019 9:30:37 GMT -5
Thanks,NAD Thorough job Maybe you can publish a scouting service for your next gig Starting to scout out some down the road extra income ideas for retirement, hoops, so I'll take this under advisement. Would need to partner with a metrics guy, however!
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Feb 10, 2019 9:33:18 GMT -5
Thanks,NAD Thorough job Maybe you can publish a scouting service for your next gig Starting to scout out some down the road extra income ideas for retirement, hoops, so I'll take this under advisement. Would need to partner with a metrics guy, however! As an act of kindness, I would be happy to let you take over some travel basketball teams in central CT. There’s no “pay” in the traditional sense but the undying gratititude of all the kids and their parents for all the time you put in makes it all worth it.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Feb 12, 2019 14:01:55 GMT -5
The score of the St.Mark’s game was 70-45
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Feb 12, 2019 18:21:36 GMT -5
Averaging 17.1 in 17 games as of 2/8 game High was 26
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Feb 12, 2019 19:15:58 GMT -5
How is his rebounding?
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Feb 13, 2019 6:32:27 GMT -5
Rob, I would say he has a chance to be a decent secondary rebounder. I'm guessing he had 4-5 boards in this game (again, competition not good); a couple in traffic. He is definitely not afraid to mix it up. He might be able to provide some AB type rebounding support.
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Feb 13, 2019 8:41:30 GMT -5
IMHO that would put him in good company.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Feb 16, 2019 11:29:30 GMT -5
In the only print info I could find, Joe is averaging 17.4 ppg in 22 games He scored his season high 31 this week vs Tabor Academy
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Dec 30, 2019 9:47:25 GMT -5
bump.....WooGray, I would say he's living up to our expectations so far.
|
|
|
Post by dadominate on Dec 30, 2019 9:54:36 GMT -5
bump.....WooGray, I would say he's living up to our expectations so far. despite the team's struggles, pridgen has definitely had one of the most encouraging ooc freshman campaigns in recent memory. one of the toughest players to wear an hc jersey that i can ever remember. can't wait to watch him continue to develop physically (already an incredibly impressive body) and to see how his game evolves.
|
|
|
Post by trimster on Dec 30, 2019 9:59:59 GMT -5
Pridgen reminds me a lot of Michael Vicens.
|
|
|
Post by WorcesterGray on Dec 30, 2019 10:01:18 GMT -5
Now a power baseline drive for a dunk. Telling this now because I WILL forget!
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Dec 30, 2019 10:06:02 GMT -5
Should have been an and 1 Help defender was both late and in the restricted zone
|
|
|
Post by possum on Dec 30, 2019 10:07:23 GMT -5
Yes Pridgen has exceeded all expectations. When I saw him in the Assumption exhibition my only question was could he finish inside against bigger D-1 competition, obviously he's proved he can. The next step comes when league opponents focus their defense on him as our number one option.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Dec 30, 2019 10:12:07 GMT -5
Yes Pridgen has exceeded all expectations. When I saw him in the Assumption exhibition my only question was could he finish inside against bigger D-1 competition, obviously he's proved he can. The next step comes when league opponents focus their defense on him as our number one option. Much depends on whether Lowder is also on the court The two have played together very little
|
|
|
Post by trimster on Dec 30, 2019 10:12:38 GMT -5
Yes Pridgen has exceeded all expectations. When I saw him in the Assumption exhibition my only question was could he finish inside against bigger D-1 competition, obviously he's proved he can. The next step comes when league opponents focus their defense on him as our number one option. Maybe his fellow frosh can help alleviate that defensive option.
|
|
|
Post by WorcesterGray on Dec 30, 2019 10:14:22 GMT -5
Cautiously optimistic that Martindale and Humphrey will do so as well next year.
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Dec 30, 2019 10:26:42 GMT -5
Accolades to Dave and WooGray for recognizing early on (via first hand observation) the high potential for JP, even though he did not have a bunch of offers as I recall.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Dec 30, 2019 10:44:30 GMT -5
Cautiously optimistic that Martindale and Humphrey will do so as well next year. I will add Rabinovich who has performed well recently being given more opportunities with the ball Will any locals see him and Martindale in person ?
|
|
|
Post by WorcesterGray on Dec 30, 2019 10:45:35 GMT -5
I'm planning to go to a few WA games next month.
|
|
|
Post by trimster on Dec 30, 2019 10:51:23 GMT -5
I'm planning to go to a few WA games next month. I believe they have a couple of top level opponents from the New England Prep Leage coming to Worcester in the next month or so. Those would be AAA schools. WA is AA.
|
|
|
Post by WorcesterGray on Dec 30, 2019 11:06:45 GMT -5
I believe they have a couple of top level opponents from the New England Prep League coming to Worcester in the next month or so. Those would be AAA schools. WA is AA. Yes. One of the games I've penned in is on Jan 11th vs New Hampton (AAA). Also likely to watch vs. Tilton (AA) in a tournament at Cushing Academy on the 26th, and vs. Suffield (A) on the 29th.
|
|