Larry Moreno, Brooklyn Law and Tech
Simply put, Moreno capped off an illustrious four-year career with the most eye opening performance on the biggest possible stage.
A gritty 6-foot, St. Francis N.Y.-bound guard who has compiled 2,000+ points in his career, Moreno was the engine that propelled the Jets to a thorough 83-57 trouncing of Theodore Roosevelt in the city championship.
Moreno carved into Theodore's defense on hard surges to the rim, finesse finishes, mid range jumpers, 3-pointers, and traditional 3-point plays.
During a decisive third quarter, Moreno's wide ranging offensive game and insatiable thirst for winning was the overwhelming factor.
While Moreno's timely scoring and ability to manufacture points at a torrid pace brought the little Brooklyn school big local and state-wide credibility, his passing and ability to quarterback a team are pivotal. Moreno sees the floor well and has developed a feel for timing and tendencies.
You would be hard-pressed to find many guards who entered a four year varsity career with lofty aspirations as a callow freshman and lived up to them every step of the way. Moreno did just that.
Joseph Pena, Brooklyn Law and Tech
A bigger guard at 6-foot-5, the southpaw has deep 3-point shooting ability and a knack for hustle points. After being strictly a supplementary piece this past year, Pena will transition to the responsibility of go-to source.
With 2018 graduating claiming Moreno and 6-foot-5 senior strongman Victor Ogbo (who averaged a double double), Pena will inherit a pivotal role. If he can develop a tighter handle and develop consistency as an off the dribble scorer, he'll have the necessary tools to savor a leadership role.
A key phase in his transition will be the development of a killer instinct, a component the aforementioned Moreno seemed to be born with.
Anthony Crillo, Bayside
The 6-foot guard has a smooth perimeter stroke and can manufacture points in a variety of ways. While his shooting touch has grown, an aspect in display at MTG in Brooklyn this past week, Crillo brings the most value as a game manager.
He's a shifty guard with effective handle and has a knack for finding the open man and making that fireball pass. This advanced feel for the game could enable him to inherit the driver's keys for Bayside.
The program will ride the youth movement in 2018-19. They return several young and unproven pieces and some veterans as well. They will look to bolster their frontline with additional pieces such as Jeremiah Taylor, a 6-foot-6 sophomore who has run with the program this bring. While his post game and back to the basket skill set is still developing, the wide and still growing big brings a wealth of potential.
Marquis Nowell, The Patrick School
The shifty 5-foot-8, 160-pound guard is aan embodiment of the toughness of a New York guard.
The transfer via Bishop Loughlin has the ability to break down a defense with an arsenal of one on one moves.
Similar to former Rice star Kemba Walker, Nowell can create and get hot in hurry. A number of manipulative moves and natural scoring ability coupled with stuffiness enable the four-star prospect to prosper.
R.J. Davis, Stepinac
The incremental improvement Davis has made from being an undersized freshman to a seasoned high scoring sophomore who can score in a variety of ways is astonishing.
Beyond his body transformation and packing significant muscle on a once toothpick frame, Davis has been a calming influence with the ball and proven crunch time scorer.
As a finisher he's got a crafty style and does not shy away from contact. This aspect of his game showed out in Glens Falls, where he knocked back a scalding 27-for-28 from the foul line in the federation champ Crusaders' final two games.
Davis scored 25 points and pulled down seven boards in Stepinac's 88-76 victory over South Shore in the federation championship.
Glen Anderson, Brooklyn Collegiate
The bullish 5-foot-9 guard showed an adeptness at driving into, through, and around defenders.
Anderson is fearless and his knack for getting around defenders and getting to the rim with relative ease separates him from similar prospects of this style and make up.
With deft handle and a rugged approach, Anderson is finely tuned in all elements of his game.
A combination of strength, speed, and athleticism make him a stout on-ball defender.