2021 The Circuit League: Session IV 5/22-5/23
This past weekend, RecruitTheBronx.com paid a visit to Irving, Texas for the fourth session of The Circuit League, as the New Heights/Lightning program competed amongst some of the country’s best in three age groups (15U, 16U & 17U). Here are the NE/Lightning’s standouts from the event and how they fared:
Zakai Ziegler 5-10, Point Guard, Immaculate Conception High School (NJ), Class of 2021, New Heights Lightning 17U - A guard that is smooth with his play and has great energy on the floor. Is a player that has jet-like quickness and uses that in transition to get to the basket with ease. Has the ability to get his teammates the ball at the right spots & makes sure they are in position to score.
Akil Watson, 6-7, Forward, Don Bosco Preparatory School (NJ), Class of 2023, New Height Lightning 17U - A forward that plays in and outside of the paint. His length and size provide him with the ability to battle it out for rebounds. Has great upper-body strength, which gives him the chance to attack the glass for rebounds and absorb physical contact, so that he can draw fouls and get to the line. Has the ability to play above the rim.
Mark Armstrong, 6-2, Point Guard, St. Peter’s Preparatory School (NJ), Class of 2022, New Heights Lightning 17U -A guard that can do it all on the floor and still find time to score. Has the ability to stay in front of his man on the defensive end. Is able to give his teammates the ball at crucial moments in order for them to score. Has the ability to use his speed in transition & can shoot jumpers from long range.
Ibine Ayo Sadiku 6-6, Forward, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Class of 2022, New Heights Lightning 17U - A forward that has a large frame and has plenty of explosion in his game. Is very active and has the ability to run the floor. Has the ability to play above the rim and has the ability to score in multiple ways.
Elliot Cadeau 6-2, Point Guard, Bergen Catholic High School (NJ), New Heights Lightning 17U - A guard that is poised and has plenty of maturity when he’s on the court. Has the ability to get to the basket and knows how to get past his defender with his dribble. Has some athleticism, which he uses when he’s driving into the lane. Is also a player that can set up his teammates with passes that lead to baskets.
Jaquan Sanders 6-3, Shooting Guard, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Class of 2022, New Heights Lightning 17U - A guard that finds ways to get open at all times so that he can get the opportunities to shoot from long range or slice his way to the basket. When left open, he can destroy a team with his scoring ability. Has plenty of toughness when it comes to driving to the lane or absorbing contact from the opposition.
Tobe Awaka 6-8, Forward, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2022, New Heights Lightning 17U - A forward that is a force in the paint area. His size and build allow him to intimidate the opposition and he always manages to hold his own in the low post. Has the ability to block shots and get rebounds in the paint area and also play above the rim on the offensive end.
Youssouf Singare 7-0, Forward, Upper Room Christian School, Class of 2023, New Heights Lightning 17U - A forward that has the ability to alter the shot of the opposing team and establishes his presence in the low post area. His large hands and stature allow him to get rebounds and block shots. When it comes to his offense, he has the ability to make hook shots and play above the rim.
Ian Jackson 6-4, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2024, New Heights Lightning 16U - A guard that has a strong build and is a player that can absorb physical contact and is able to get to the line with ease. Is able to create for himself off the dribble and finds multiple ways to get to the basket. Is very advanced for his level and therefore has the ability to take over the game. Has the ability to rebound and has the ability to get up and down the floor.
Jason Rivera-Torres 6-6, Forward, Iona Preparatory School, Class of 2023, New Heights Lightning 16U - A forward that can make hustle plays when on the floor and puts in plenty of effort every time he is in the game. Knows when to score and finds ways to get his shot off efficiently. Has the ability to run well when up and down the court.
Jahmere Tripp 6-5, Forward, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Class of 2023, New Heights Lightning 16U - A forward that has the ability to power his way to the rim with his strength and can absorb contact when going up to the basket. Has great footwork when making an attempt to score and is very active on the boards. Also can step out and shoot from 15-20 feet on the floor.
Christian Jones 6-4, Shooting Guard, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, New Heights Lightning 16U - A guard that makes smooth and effortless plays on the floor and moves on the floor with grace and excellent footwork. Has a nice, smooth jumpshot and makes plenty of good moves on the court. Has the ability to play above the rim and has superb athleticism.
Nasir Muhammad 6-0, Point Guard, Poly Preparatory School, Class of 2023, New Heights Lightning 16U - A guard that plays bigger than his frame and is always looking to pass the ball and make sure that his teammates are in posit to score at all times. Has the ability to get steals and get to the basket on the offensive end in a timely fashion. Shows plenty of poise and leadership when he’s on the floor.
Armoni Zeigler 6-4, Shooting Guard, Upper Room Christian School, Class of 2023, New Heights Lightning 16U - A guard that has plenty of energy on the court and shows a lot of skill in his game. Moves well on pick and rolls and is always alert when it comes to getting the ball. Has the ability to play above the rim and can absorb contact when going up for a basket.
Tahaad Pettiford 5-7, Point Guard, Hudson Catholic High School, New Heights Lightning 15U - A guard that makes smart decisions when he has the ball in his hands. Has jet-like quickness and is poised to make great plays on offense. Is able to break down the opposition and get to the basket with ease at all times. Is able to give passes to his teammates and make steals when on the court on the defensive end.
Jakai Sanders 6-3, Point Guard, Bishop Loughlin High School, New Heights Lightning 15U - A guard that has plenty of quickness when on the floor and can shift speeds when on the court. Has the ability to knock down the outside shot with precision. Has excellent court vision and can see his teammates moving on the floor and hits them with passes at the right times.
Justin Menard 6-2, Shooting Guard, Loomis Chafee School (CT), New Heights Lightning 15U - A guard that has plenty of poise and can make things happen on the floor. Is very shifty when on the floor when it comes to his speed on the floor. Has the ability to get to the basket and has the eye of a scorer.
Qadir Martin 6-4, Forward, Curtis High School, Class of 2024, New Heights Lightning 15u - A forward that has a strong build and is great at imposing his presence in the post area. When in the paint area, he Is very fearless and is not afraid of physical contact when it comes to playing on both ends of the floor. Has the ability to get his baskets by going up with force and imposing his will in the paint.