Smartball Classic Top Performers 8/19/24

By David Cordova,
On Monday night, August 19, RecruitTheBronx.com made it to the Manhattan Center High School for Science & Mathematics for the Smartball Classic. On this date, there would be two games in this single-elimination tournament that would decide which team goes on to play in the quarterfinals. Two teams from the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens AA division, St. Francis Prep and Holy Cross, both battled it out for four quarters until the latter ultimately prevailed. In the next game, Cardinal Hayes played Brandeis very close in the first half before pulling away in the second half. Here are the standouts from both games:
Jahzir Crawford 5-10, Point Guard, Holy Cross High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to make his presence felt as a playmaker. Is able to control the tempo of his team and can also attack in transition. Is able to distribute the ball to his teammates, especially when they are open. Is able to drive to the basket and also hit pull-up jumpers.
Dylon Stanley 6-6, Forward, Holy Cross High School, Class of 2025 - A forward that has plenty of length and is very active in the low post. Is always ready to anticipate a pass and will go up to the basket and finish efficiently. Is able to anticipate the ball when it comes to obtaining rebounds.
Brian Hsu 5-9, Point Guard, Holy Cross High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that is a true playmaker and is always fearless when it comes to attacking in transition. Has the ability to move swiftly and can get to the basket easily and score efficiently. Has the ability to shoot from long range. Is able to distribute the ball to his teammates, which allows them to have scoring opportunities.
Amosun Tolawese 6-7, Forward, Holy Cross High School, Class of 2026 - A forward that has plenty of size and length, as well as plenty of versatility in his game. Has the ability to obtain rebounds and looks to make putback layups when on the offensive end. Knows when to step out on the perimeter to make midrange jumpers.
Conor Griffin 6-2, Shooting Guard, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to make his presence felt in many ways. Is able to create for himself on the offensive end and is always looking to score in bunches. Has the ability to stay open on the perimeter and are able to shoot from three. Is able to close out and get to the glass and obtain rebounds.
Hao Chen 6-4, Shooting Guard, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that is very strong and is always ready to make his presence felt on the offensive end. Is able to step out and shoot from long range. Is able to crash the boards to obtain rebounds. Has the ability to wait out on the wing and move around the perimeter to anticipate a pass.
Oesoemana Sacko 6-8, Forward, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Class of 2026 - A forward that has plenty of strength and is able to play in and out of the post area. Knows when to drive to the basket and can use his strength to when it comes to obtaining rebounds and going up to score. Is able to step out to shoot spot-up mid-range jumpers and also three-pointers.
Jermel Thomas 6-2, Point Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that has a knack for making spectacular plays and is known for reading defenses very well. Is able to beat his man off the dribble and get to the basket easily. Has a penchant for finding his teammates and putting them in position to score at all times. Has the ability to shoot from three.
Kaelen Destin 6-1, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2025 - A guard that can score in multiple ways and is an offensive threat to anyone who plays against him. Is able to come off of screens and finish efficiently, especially when going to the basket. Is a dangerous shooter from three-point range and is always known for waiting on the corner and anticipating the pass so that he can get his shot off.
Malik Fields 6-6, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to be effective on both ends of the court. Has the ability to create for himself on the offensive end and is able to get to the basket with ease. Is able to obtain rebounds and get down court easily.
Christian Straughter 6-2, Shooting Guard, Louis Brandeis Educational Campus, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to use his speed to his advantage on the offensive end. Is able to beat his man on the other end of the floor and is able to hit shots and is able to find his teammates as a way to give them opportunities to score. Has a nice shooting touch which he uses from the midrange.
Steven Ceballos 6-4, Shooting Guard, Louis Brandeis Educational Campus, Class of 2025 - A guard that is known for using his physicality and is very active. Is able to take plenty of chances on the offensive end and is fearless when going to score, as he is always ready to absorb contact if and when he is fouled and ready to go to the free-throw line. Is able to crash the glass for rebounds and can make put back layups.
Maurice Hartley, Jr. 5-8, Point Guard, Louis Brandeis Educational Campus, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to take control of the game when he’s the primary ball handler for his team. Has a penchant for playing tough defense on the opposition, as he is able to obtain steals and can get to the basket with ease. Is able to distribute the ball to his teammates and put them in position to score when it comes to assists.