2024 IS8 Playoffs - First Round Top Performers

By David Cordova,


On Wednesday night, May 15, the place to be was Intermediate School 8 in Jamaica, Queens for the start of the playoffs at IS8, one of New York City’s most prestigious tournaments. In both first-round games, there were some talented players on the court and the games were super-competitive. In the first game, there would be a matchup between The Bronx-based Road To Riches and the Gus Williams All-Stars (comprised of players from the Mount Vernon High School varsity basketball team) and in the second game, there was a matchup between Rundown and Tribe Stars. In the end, it would be Road To Riches and Rundown, who would advance to the next round. Here are the standouts from both of the first-round games:


Tavien Tyler 5-6, Point Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Gus Williams All-Stars, Class of 2025 - A guard that has a penchant for using his speed to his advantage the on the fast break. Is know for going to the basket with ease and is a solid finisher. Is fearless when it comes to going to the hole and is able to get to the free-throw line. Has the ability to make pull-up jumpers from the top of the key.


Kai Harvey 5-6, Point Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Gus Williams All-Stars, Class of 2025 -A guard that is a great defender and is able to stick with his man, as well as going for loose balls. Is a great distributor that will find his teammates In the right positions so that they can score. Is able to slice and dice his way to the basket and is able to finish strong.


Nathaniel Edwards 6-2, Shooting Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Gus Williams All-Stars, Class of 2024 - A guard that is very strong and is able to hold his own on the court with his versatility. Is able to drive to the basket and is a great finisher at the rim. Is able to crash the boards for rebounds and is able to showcase his versatility by putting the ball on the floor and creating for himself off the dribble.


Dwight Findlay 6-4, Forward, Mount Vernon High School, Gus Williams All-Stars, Class of 2025 - A forward that is a dominant presence on the court and finds plenty of ways to be active for his team. Is able to outmuscle others and is able to use his physicality when going up for two in the paint area. Is able to step out and shoot from three-point range.


Solomon Ominu 6-8, Forward, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2024 - A forward that is very strong and is able to dominate in the post area. Is a force for his team in the paint area on both ends of the court and can obtain rebounds and go up for two. Is able to put the ball on the floor and can drive to the basket.


Hassan Kouriessi 6-5, Shooting Guard, Archbishop Stepinac High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2026 -A guard that has a penchant for setting up the offense and trying to find his teammates on the offensive end. Is able to get past the opposition and looks to hit floaters over his opponents’ outstretched hands and can shoot from long range. Always trusts his instincts and knows when to take a shot or when not to shoot.


Adam Nije, Jr 6-2, Point Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2024 (Iona University commit) - A guard that has the ability to take over the game when he has the ball his hands. Is able to find his teammates when the opportunity presents itself and is able to use his craftiness to his advantage. Is known for making acrobatic plays the going up for a layup ad is able to finish at the basket consistently.


Tai Turnage 6-0, Point Guard, St. Raymond High School, Rundown, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to hold his own the court, as he is able to control his team’s tempo. Is able to see where his teammates are moving, so that he can give them the ball and put them in position to score. Knows when to drive to the basket or when to shoot from outside the arc.


Halon Rawlins 6-6, Forward, Nazareth High School, Rundown, Class of 2025 - A forward that has the ability to make his presence felt on the floor with his toughness and his ability to hold his own in the front court. Knows when to drive to the basket & also when to kick out the ball to his teammates. Has a penchant for getting out to the corner and hitting three-pointers. Is able to attack the glass and obtain rebounds.


Kaelen Destin 6-1, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Rundown, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to make his presence felt on the floor with his scoring. Is a guard that makes great plays and finds ways to get open on the perimeter. Has a penchant for getting past defenders with a quick first step and is known for also hitting jumpers in the lane.


Elijah Dias 6-4, Forward, Eagle Academy III, Tribe Starz, Class of 2024 - A forward that is able to hold his own in the post area. Has a lot of strength, which aids him in obtaining rebounds and boxing out the opposition. When going up to score, he is able to power up and absorb contact and finish efficiently.


Ethan Ostane 6-3, Shooting Guard, Abraham Lincoln High School, Tribe Starz, 2025 - A guard that has the ability to be a playmaker on the floor and is able to be active in many ways. Is always chasing after loose balls and is fearless when going to the basket. Has the ability to move around off the ball and kids ways to get open, which enables him to be open on the wing, so that he can get his shot off.