2023 Smartball Classic Top Performers
By David Cordova,
On Tuesday night, August 15, we paid a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Playground in Harlem for the Smartball Classic, an event which features plenty of the premier high school teams in the New York metropolitan area. On this date, there were two matchups, with the first being James Monroe Campus (PSAL) going up against the independent Evangel Christian Sports Academy (last year’s Smartball Classic champions) and the nightcap being Murry Bergtraum (PSAL) against St. Peter’s (CHSAA). Here are the standouts for the games:
Harvin Guevara 6-10, Forward, James Monroe High School Campus, Class of 2025 - A forward that is very versatile on both ends of the court. Has the ability to put the ball on the floor and can drive to the basket and finish at the cup. Is also able to shoot from long range, especially when left open. Is a good rebounder and can alter or block his opponent’s shots.
Al-Hasan Jallow 6-7, Forward, James Monroe High School Campus, Class of 2024 - A forward that is very physical in the front court and can be very dominant when the opportunity presents itself. Is able to outmuscle the opposition to obtain rebounds and is a force when it comes to getting putbacks on the offensive end. Is also a very athletic player when it comes to driving into the lane.
Amadou Barry 5-10 Point Guard, James Monroe High School Campus, Class of 2025 - A guard that has plenty of speed and precision when on the court. Is able to run a team efficiently and provides his teammates with the ball in the right places so that they have the opportunity to score. Uses his quickness to get to the basket with ease and is a good finisher in the lane.
Luis Bridgewater 6-7, Forward, Evangel Christian Sports Academy, Class of 2025 - A forward that has the ability to hold his own in the low-post, due to his strength and being the enforcer for his team. Has good hands, which aid in him blocking shots and going up for rebounds. Is able to finish in the paint and is prone to throwing down dunks.
Baldwyn Garcia 6-1, Shooting Guard, Evangel Christian Sports Academy, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to make good plays when on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he is able to stick with his man at all times and can obtain steals, which lead to scoring opportunities. Uses his quickness to get to the basket easily, and is a strong finisher.
Qadir Martin 6-6, Forward, St. Peter’s High School, Class of 2024 - A forward that is able to make his presence felt in the low post, due to his strength. Makes it difficult for the opposition to contain him, due to his bruising play in the paint area. Is able to obtain rebounds and can also show his versatility by putting the ball on the floor on the offensive end.
Jalen Munson 5-11, Point Guard, St. Peter’s High School, Class of 2024 - A guard that has the ability to make good plays in the backcourt and is a great asset to his team when on the court. Is a great distributor that helps his teammates get opportunities to score at all times. Is a solid scorer himself and is able to shoot from long range.
Michael Spisto 5-9, Point Guard, St. Peter’s High School, Class of 2024 - A guard that has a penchant for being a key decision maker when it comes to the team’s offense. Is able to flash to the basket and can finish in transition. Is a good shooter from long range and is able to operate off of screens so that his teammates can roll and go to the basket to score.
Maddox LaPierre 6-3, Forward, St. Peter’s High School, Class of 2024 - An undersized forward, that has the ability to hustle around the court and does what his teammates need him to when the opportunity presents itself. Will dive for loose balls and can drive to the basket, where he is a solid finisher. Is always alert on the defensive end.
Andrew Parrish 5-10, Point Guard, Murry Bergtraum High School, Class of 2024 - A guard that has the ability to do many things on the floor for his team. Is able to maintain body control when going to the hole and is a good finisher when going up for two. Is a player that likes to run on the fast break and is able to dish it to his teammates on the offensive end.