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Mid-Atlantic Independent School Shootout: Day Two Standouts (June 25, 2022)

06/26/2022, 12:45am EDT
By Owen McCue

Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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PRINCETON, N.J. — The Mid-Atlantic Independent School Shootout brought 28 teams to the Hun School this weekend for the second of two high school live periods, three days of hoops with Division I coaches able to join their small-college brethren to evaluate prospects for the second weekend in a row. After extensive coverage on Friday, CoBL returned on Saturday to put eyes on the local teams who weren’t in attendance on Friday..

Here’s who stood out in front of the CoBL staff during Saturday’s action:

Ladji Dembele (2023 | St. Benedicts, N.J.)

In a win over ANC, the 6-8 big man displayed a soft touch around the basket, even finishing with a finger roll after a coast-to-coast to drive. He made one of his three 3-point attempts, showing a confident stroke, but he definitely did most of his damage inside. Dembele showed good feel for where he was in the paint and preferred to use his footwork to try and get himself to the basket (which he did many times) rather than using his stocky frame to play bully ball inside.

Thomas Haugh (2023 | Perkiomen School)

With some of the other big names on last season’s Perk roster graduated, Haugh is getting a chance to shine — thus far he’s taken advantage of it. The 6-9 forward poured in 20 points in a win over Westtown on Saturday evening. He made three 3-point shots, nothing new for Haugh. What was most impressive was what Haugh did with the ball in his hands. Haugh ran the fastbreak, twice going coast-to-coast and finishing through contact. For someone at his height, his ability to put the ball on the floor is quite impressive. Haugh has made his presence felt on defense, swatting a shot and then poking a ball loose for the game-winning steal on the final possession of the game.


ANC Basil Laster, right, goes up for a shot as St. Benedict's Ladji Dembele defends. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Bahsil Laster (2024 | Academy of New Church)

The transfer from Archbishop Wood was listed as forward, but he shared lead guard duties with the rest of the ANC backcourt on Saturday. Laster’s go-to move to get by opponents is his crossover, which he uses to get to either his right or left hand before getting downhill. He would have liked to finish better at the rim, but his willingness to attack resulted in several trips to the line. When the St. Benedict’s defense started to collapse, he played point guard and dished to his teammates open in the corner or wing. Laster said he is an improving shooter. He only attempted one long ball on Saturday and converted.

Kachi Nzeh (2023 | George School)

Nzeh has a long list of Division I offers and displayed why in Saturday’s game against Peddie School, in which he scored 17 points. On consecutive possessions Nzeh bullied his way for a two-handed dunk then showed off his finesse the next time down with a spin move into a left handed jump hook. Nzeh is certainly a capable rim protector and moves well out on the perimeter as well. There’s not much George school doesn’t ask him to do, even having him break the press in Saturday’s game.

Ebrahim Kaba (2024 | Peddie School)

Kaba put up modest numbers at East Orange (N.J.) last season, but the shooting display he put on Saturday in a win over George School suggests the best is yet to come for the lengthy 6-7 wing. Kaba knocked down five threes on the way to an 18-point game. Most impressive about his scoring was how smooth he was shooting off the dribble. At least two of his threes came off a shot fake into a dribble pull-up jumper. He eventually drew enough attention to use the pump to drive all the way to the rim


Perkiomen School's Preist Ryan, right, shoots a shot over Westtown's Matt Mayock. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Preist Ryan (2023 | Perkiomen School)

Ryan is a high-motor 6-6 forward who always seems to produce because of his effort. Saturday was no different as he put up 21 points in the victory over Westtown and was an active rebounder on the offensive and defensive glass. Ryan stole the ball and went coast-to-coast, finishing with a two-handed slam to highlight his day. He also stepped outside to make a three and attempted to take advantage with a post move inside when he had a smaller defender on him. He’s also a fun player to watch on defense able to switch between all five positions.

K.J. Satterfield (2023 | Patrick School, N.J.)

Satterfield was impressive on Friday night and followed that with another sensational showing on Saturday against Shipley in front of a slew of college coaches, including St. Joe’s head coach Billy Lange. Satterfield, a 6-4 guard, scored 24 points, knocking down a pair of threes along with going 4-for-4 from the line. He controlled the game and glided to everywhere he wanted on the floor. He tough to stop wants he gets inside to, utilizing his length and athleticism to attack the rim. Satterfield looked comfortable running the offense at times as well, not forcing too much and more than willing to find his teammates.

Seyphon Triplett (2023 | Westtown School)

The lasting memory from those who caught the action between Westtown and Perkiomen School on Saturday evening was a one-handed putback slam from Triplett, a 6-foot guard. The highlight play (hopefully it gets clipped form the livestream and makes its way to the internet) was certainly worthy of giving Triplett a nod, but Westtown’s lead guard did so much else for the Moose in the game. Triplett hit four threes, showing off an impressive stepback jumper on multiple occasions both in and outside the arc. His quickness with the ball in his hands is a matchup nightmare for opponents.

Honorable Mentions

Alasanne Amadou (2023 | Springside Chestnut Hill Academy), Albin Baez (2023 | Springfield Commonwealth Academy), Josh Cameron (2023 | Hill School), Mike Ewing (2023 | Peddie School), Augie Gerhart (2023 | Hill School), Darrien Grady (2023 | Shipley), Isaiah Griffin (2023 | Patrick School), David Johnson (2025 | St. Benedicts), Ellis Johnson (2025 | Germantown Academy), Jarell Keel (2023 | Academy of the New Church), Carson Mastin (2023 | George School), Jaren Morton (2023 | Springside Chestnut Hill Academy), Muhsin Muhammad (2024 | Friends’ Central), Galand Okeugo (2023 | Kiski School), Trey O’Neil (2024 | Hill School), Malik Rasul (2024 | Westtown), Bobby Rosenberger (2023 | Perkiomen School), Cameron Wallace (2025 | Westtown).


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