2024 IS8 Spring Classic Championship Standouts
On Sunday, June 2, we were at Eagle Academy III in Jamaica, Queens for the semifinals and championship games of IS8 Spring Classic. In all three games, the competition level was high and the games were very competitive from start to finish. In the first game, The Bronx-based Kips Bay played a strong game against the Long Island-based Team Underrated and emerged victorious, punching their ticket to the tile game. In the second game, another team from The Bronx, Road to Riches steamrolled past Queens-based Elmcor. This set up a big matchup from the counterparts from the same borough. For four quarters, both teams played a strong brand of tough basketball. But in the end, it would be Kips Bay that would emerge victorious and would win the IS8 Spring Classic championship. All in all, it was a great affair for all teams involved. Here are the standouts from all three games:
Nigel James, Jr. 6-0, Point Guard, Long Island Lutheran High School, Kips Bay, Class of 2025 - A guard with a quick first step that is able to hold his own on the offensive end and on the defensive end of the court. Has plenty of court awareness when he’s controlling the offense, as he is able to set teammates up for passes. Is able to shoot from the perimeter and from behind the arc. Is able to finish in transition when driving to the basket.
Jacob Davis 6-8, Forward, Cushing Academy (MA), Kips Bay, Class of 2025 - A forward that has the ability to use his frame and toughness to his advantage. Has a penchant for playing defense and obtaining blocked shots and rebounds. Is able to use his physicality to hold his ow when going up for two.
Nowah Hargrow 6-2, Shooting Guard, Upper Room Christian School, Kips Bay, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to see the floor when he is on offense and has the ability to create for himself. Is able to drive past the defense and get to the basket with ease. Has the ability to shoot from long range and from the top of the key.
Brandon Varlack 6-0, Point Guard, Half Hollow Hills East, Team Underrated, Class of 2025 - A guard that has plenty of court awareness when leading the team on the break. A player that is a great distributor on the floor. Is able to use his quickness when going into the lane and also when it comes to obtaining steals on the defensive end. Has good hands and quick feet.
Jerimiah Webb 5-11, Point Guard, Wyandach High School, Team Underrated, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to be a great playmaker on the floor. Is able to attack in transition and drive to the basket with ease. Is able to get his shot off efficiently, especially if he is open on the three-point line.
Marquese Dennis 6-3, Shooting Guard, Brentwood High School, Team Underrated, Class of 2024 - A guard that is shifty and uses his length to his advantage. Is a very explosive player that is known for going to the basket and finishing strong, as well as throwing down powerful dunks. Is also able to take shots from three-point range.
Solomon Ominu 6-8, Forward, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2024 - A forward that has plenty of strength and has the ability to dominate over the opposition, due to his brawn. Is able outwork his opponents for rebounds, especially when the shot goes up. Is able to hold his own when it comes to scoring opportunities, especially when going to the rim.
Harvin Guevara 6-10, Forward, James Monroe Educational Campus, Road To Riches, Class of 2025 - A forward that has plenty of versatility in his game and has plenty of mobility. Likes to put the ball on the floor and has the ability to shoot from the perimeter. Has a penchant for grabbing rebounds and is able to finish at the basket.
Ahmed Cisse 6-4, Shooting Guard, Adlai Stevenson Educational Campus, Road To Riches, Class of 2024 - A guard that is always alert and ready for anything that comes his way. Is always active for rebounds and loose balls and is always ready to hit his teammates with the pass. Has a penchant for shooting from long range. Has the ability to shoot from three and is a good at driving to the basket and finishing.
John Magna Jr., 6-3, Point Guard, Christ the King High School, Road To Riches, Class of 2027 - A guard that has a penchant for creating for himself and knows when to take his shots. Has a penchant for driving to the basket and is a great finisher. Always finds ways to get open on the three-point line. Is able to dristribute the ball and give his teammates the opportunity to score.
Vere Anthony 6-0, Point Guard, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Elmcor, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to make his presence felt as a lead guard. Is able to make sure that the offense flows well, as he puts his teammates in position to score at all times. Is able to shoot from three-point range and has a penchant for driving to the basket & finishing efficiently.
Don Colon-Lewis 6-6, Moravian Prep School (NC), Elmcor, Class of 2024 - A forward that can make his presence felt in various ways on the floor. Has a penchant for putting the ball on the floor and posting up defenders and muscling his way to the basket. Has the ability to shoot from long range, especially when being open.