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2023 Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest: Notebook (Pt. 4) (April 28-30)

05/02/2023, 1:15pm EDT
By Sean McBryan

Sean McBryan (@SeanMcBryan)
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MANHEIM — The Hoop Group hosted its second and final spring live period event this weekend with the Spring Jam Fest at Spooky Nook, where a number of local and out-of-town grassroots programs as well as Division I, II and III coaches descended Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Here's the fourth notebook catching up with some of the players Sean McBryan saw during the three days of action:

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More Coverage
Day 1 Standouts / Day 2 Standouts / Day 3 Standouts (Pt. 1) / Day 3 Standouts (Pt. 2) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 1) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 2) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 3) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 4) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 5)

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Kareem Thomas, 2024 WeR1 Delaware 17U

Kareem Thomas (2024 | WeR1 Delaware HGSL 17U)

Salesianum juniors Kareem Thomas and Isaiah Hynson took the reins as Sallies’ top scorers this season when former top scorer Justin Molen moved on to the Hill School after reclassifying into the 2023 class. 

The 6-6 Thomas and 6-4 Hynson led the Sallies to a DIAA state championship with Hynson scoring 20 and Thomas 14 in the title game, combining for 34 of Salesianum’s 48 points. The guards both averaged nearly 14 points per game.

Thomas and Hynson suit up for WeR1 Delaware’s 17Us during the AAU season and are working on their games with the hopes of picking up more offers this summer and into next high school season. Both already hold offers from Rider, which they picked up back in October.

“That’s my brother,” Thomas said of Hynson. “We feed off each other when we play. We know what we do well and what we don’t do well so we just try to get each other our shots and in the right spots.”

Thomas dropped a defender with a stepback crossover before drilling a trey in the game against Connecticut Elite and plans to keep working on moves to get himself space to let his quality outside jumper off.

“I’ve kind of been off the ball since my sophomore year,” Thomas said Saturday after picking up a 66-50 win over Connecticut Elite. “My senior year is trying to develop more as a combo guard. Just being able to do both: facilitate and create my own shot.”

He also displays patience and a high basketball IQ, skills he said he learned from his first AAU coach and something that got easier as he grew into his body.

Thomas said he’s also garnering interest from Brown — and with a 4.2 GPA — hopes to get more looks from Ivy League schools. He wants to major in kinesiology or exercise science. — Sean McBryan

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Max Moshinski & Rocco Westfield, 2026 Philly Revolution 15U

Max Moshinski & Rocco Westfield (2026 | Philly Revolution HGSL 15U)

The freshman duo from Father Judge had impressive showings all weekend as Philly Rev 15Us went 4-1, falling only to NJ Scholars EYBL Sunday.

Moshinski, a 6-4 guard, and Westfield, a 6-0 guard, will likely have more responsibilities as sophomores for the Crusaders and showed the potential to successfully fill larger roles next season. The departures of senior guards Ernest Shelton (Gannon) and Kyle Jones make it even more important for the young guards to take the next step.

Westfield said he’s working to improve his offhand and cut down turnovers; Moshinski is working to stay in control, also cut down turnovers, and try to get downhill.

Westfield is more of a traditional point guard and was the primary ball handler for the Revs over the weekend. Him and Moshinski have good chemistry and often worked a two-man game to success. The high school and AAU teammates have been playing together since the sixth grade.

“He’s a big part of what I do,” Westfield said of his teammate. “I think we have a good connection. If they come out on him defensively, I can hit him backdoor and he’ll go up and dunk it. We’ve been playing together for a while.”

“We know what we want to do together,” Moshinski said. “I just try to get open cause I know he’ll find me.”

Moshinski has the luxury of already having adequate height, which he says helps him see the floor and finish at the rim. He feels he can play any position, but if he had to choose, would prefer the shooting guard spot.

Both guards felt confident in their returning Father Judge team which includes rising seniors Laquan Byrd and Anthony Lilly, rising junior Kevair Kennedy, and fellow rising sophomore Derrick Morton-Rivera. The Crusaders will be aiming to improve on a 6-7 season in the PCL and 11-12 season overall.

“The goal is to get to the Palestra,” Westfield said. “We say it every year. We want to win the PCL.”

Father Judge’s last PCL title came in 1988. — Sean McBryan

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Duke Cloran, 2025 PA Hoops Academy 17U

Duke Cloran (2025 | PA Hoops Academy HGSL 17U)

Cloran, a 6-2 point guard from the Haverford School, played up on PA Hoops Academy’s 17Us over the weekend and still got to his spot and produced even if giving up some size against opponents.

He was the primary ball handler and facilitator as one of the youngest players on the team.

“My teammate [Unionville junior] James [Anderson] and I run the offense because we’re the primary ball handlers and playmakers,” Cloran said. “But it’s nice because the offense can run through everyone. Everyone can make plays.”

The squad went 2-1 at the Hoop Group Showcase League Spring Jam Fest at Spooky Nook with a 56-55 OT win over NJ Shoreshots — in which Cloran had 16 points (two 3s), five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in — and a 64-61 win over House We Built and 58-52 loss to BW Elite.

“It helps playing against better competition,” Cloran said. “I feel like it’s getting me better. [PA Hoops Academy] is a pretty good team so I fit in well. We all play the same way and just keep it moving.”

Cloran tweaked his ankle at the beginning of his high school season with the Fords but has shown he’s fully recovered. He averaged nine points per game for the season and boosted that total to 12.5 over the final seven games of the season before earning All-Delco honorable mention honors.

“I started rehab and came back two weeks later,” Cloran said. “It’s been fine and hasn’t been bothering me since.”

Cloran said he’s working on being consistent defensively and staying low and improving his catch-and-shoot game offensively. The end goal is to play collegiately when his high school career wraps up.

“I think good things will happen if I keep trying to be the best player I can be,” he said. — Sean McBryan

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Ben Troyer, 2024 LA ELIT3 17U)

Ben Troyer (2024 | LA ELIT3 17U)

The 6-4 wing from Hempfield will have plenty of opportunity throughout the summer with his LA ELIT3 AAU squad and into next year with the Black Knights to show prospective colleges his skills.

Troyer was the third-leading scorer on a Hempfield team that won the Lancaster-Lebanon League and finished 24-4 overall, the third-most wins in program history. The Black Knights narrowly fell to Spring-Ford 43-39 in the second round of the PIAA Class 6A Tournament. 

Top scorer and 6-3 point guard Miguel Pena (15.8 points per game), 6-5 post Kamyn Lawrence (11.0), 6-4 wing Chase Calabretta (9.1), and 6-4 guard Michael Hester (6.0) all graduated, leaving Troyer (9.5) as the go-to guy for next year.

 “I’m expecting to play more in a role like Miguel did,” Troyer said. “I’m going to have to pass the ball more than I’m used to. Usually I’d get the ball, get open, and score. This year I’m going to have to create more for my teammates.”

Troyer played some on the perimeter in high school during his junior year, but didn’t handle the ball frequently as Pena was the primary orchestrator.

“It was really more dependent on who I was guarding if I was in the post or on the perimeter,” Troyer said.

He showed his potential in facilitating in a win Saturday at Spooky Nook; the variety of finesse and aggressive finishes at the rim, fluid jumpshot, and quality defense were also on display. 

Unfortunately LA ELIT3 lost its first game Friday, meaning its second game was on the “blue courts,” which are in a different area than the event’s main courts (and where college coaches typically observe).

Troyer said some Division II and III schools have reached out but he hopes to generate more interest as the AAU season rolls along.

“This is why I’m trying to play AAU more, just trying to get more looks,” he said. “Of course we have to win more games. When you start with a loss it hurts a little bit. It would be better to be playing on the main courts.”

Troyer and LA ELIT3 won by 24 in their final game of the HGSL Spring Jam Fest Sunday … on the main courts. — Sean McBryan

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Carnell Henderson, 2025 BW Elite 16U

Carnell Henderson (2025 | BW Elite HGSL 16U)

Only a select few of high school athletes can say they’ve played with one of the top recruits in the nation.

Henderson, a 6-2 sophomore point guard from Imhotep, can say he’s played with two: Senior Justin Edwards (Kentucky), a consensus top five recruit, and junior Ahmad Nowell, who has offers from Tennessee, Auburn, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, and more. That goes without mentioning senior Rahmir Barno, who is off to Florida Gulf Coast.

“It was great playing with them,” Henderson said Saturday after picking up a win with his BW Elite squad. “They are great players, great guys outside of basketball, and they really got love for the team.”

Now the focus shifts to who will step into prominent roles for Imhotep next season as it tries to win its third straight PIAA championship and uphold a hefty standard set by the soon-to-be graduates.

“I feel like I’m going to take the next step,” Henderson said. “We want to do what we did last year, be ourselves, and hopefully be in the top five again.”

Imhotep finished ranked fifth in the nation and second in Pennsylvania by MaxPreps.

Henderson benefits from being around elite talent, coaching, and watching and/or playing in games at the highest level of high school basketball. It can be seen on the court as the guard has a calm, patient demeanor running the point and scoring, but also has potential in banging down low.

“That’s my all-around game,” Henderson said. “I can go big if needed, and I like to take on that challenge.”

Henderson had already started polishing his guard skills before a growth spurt about two years ago and the added height gives him the court vision to make full-court passes and get his shot off over defenders. The sophomore can score, but sees himself as a distributor.

“My mindset is usually pass first, score second. That’s how I always was,” he said.

Henderson said he wants to improve his aggressiveness, get better at turning on his motor when needed and sharpen his skills into that of a collegiate basketball player.

“I’d like to pick up a couple offers and get my name out there,” Henderson said.

His performances so far this offseason have been a great start. — Sean McBryan

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Chase Smucker, 2025 York Ballers

Chase Smucker (2025 | York Ballers HGSL 16U)

Smucker jumped headfirst into a starting guard role with Lampeter-Strasburg in his sophomore season after Ty Burton took his talents and 21.2 points per game down to Bradenton, Fla. at IMG Academy.

“We’re actually super close,” Smucker said of Burton. “He’s actually a part of the family. His brother married my sister. It was dope playing with him, and we connect whenever he’s in town. I learned a lot from him. He’s taught me a ton of stuff.”

The 5-11 Smucker — in a similar build to Burton —  averaged 3.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.4 steals per game as a freshman off the bench behind his brother-in-law and a bunch of upperclassmen on a Pioneers team that went 28-1 and won a district championship.

The Pioneers went 20-8 and again won Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season before falling in the league playoffs and finishing seventh in districts. They accomplished something the team led by Burton didn’t by winning a state playoff game for only the fourth time in program history.

Smucker increased his averages to 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in his sophomore season, but was still in a secondary scoring role behind senior Ben Wert. Next season Smucker will be running the show.

“I’m trying to get my bag deeper,” he said. “Mainly ball handling, get a little more shifty, and be able to blow by defenders. I’m good at handling pressure bringing the ball up the court but want to get a little more explosive blowing by people.” — Sean McBryan

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Manny Joe-Samuel, 2025 NJ Scholars 16U

Manny Joe-Samuel (2025 | NJ Scholars EYBL 16U)

Most know Joe-Samuel can score; that was evident Sunday in the Hoop Group Showcase League Spring Jam Fest 17U championship game Sunday afternoon at Spooky Nook.

The 6-4 guard from Paul VI scored 18 of his 23 points — tied for the game-high — in the first half as NJ Scholars 2025s jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead and defeated PSA Cardinals 2025s 66-61.

“I always have confidence in myself,” Joe-Samuel said. “Once I hit my first shot, it boosted that confidence. The team was swinging the ball to me and I was just taking shots that I’ve been working on.”

Joe-Samuel’s Scholars feature a talented group including St. Joe’s Prep’s Jaron McKie and Roman Catholic’s Shareef Jackson.

“Everybody here is a really good player and we can feed off each other,” Joe-Samuel said. “Our chemistry is really good and we all enjoy each other’s company. I don’t necessarily need to go off to win; anybody can go off at any time.”

The sophomore wants to improve different areas of his game and show that he’s much more than just a shooter.

“Next season I just want to improve on my defense and rebounding,” he said. “I know I’m a big guard so I have to put more emphasis in those areas and show I can play all around. People know that I can score but I want people to know I can play defense and rebound.”

Joe-Samuel had 18 points in Paul VI’s overtime loss to eventual NJSIAA state champion Union Catholic — its first in 36 years — in the second round of the state tournament last season. He hopes to build on that successful season next year and that the individual strides he makes during AAU will start to bring in the offers.

“I’m not really worried about [offers] right now,” he said. “When coaches can talk to me again I’m hoping to get a few. I don’t really have a dream school. I’m just trying to get as many offers as possible.” — Sean McBryan

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Griffin Garner (5) and his teammates pose for a picture after Garner hit a game-winner during the Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest this weekend.

Griffin Garner (2025 | Topp Tier Black 16U)

The 6-1 point guard from Howard in Ellicott City, Md., hit a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to lift TTB over Jersey Force 58-57 Sunday morning at the Spring Jam Fest.

“The play was supposed to be a screen for one of our big men,” Garner said. “I set the screen and he came around but didn’t have anything. I was at the top of the key and he passed it back to me. Initially, I didn’t think it was going to go in, but it rolled in.”

Garner started to push the pace offensively in the second half for TTB after it fell behind by seven at halftime. He scored 27 points overall and scored at all three levels.

“I had to be more aggressive than I was in the first half,” he said. “I thought I did that in the second.”

Garner and TTB finished their weekend with three straight wins after an opening loss put them in the losers bracket, which Garner said motivated the team. The sophomore hopes to expand on his positive outing over the weekend by getting stronger in the weight room to help his drives to the basket and defense.

He averaged 16.5 points and 3.0 assists per game during his sophomore season as the Howard Lions went to the MPSSAA Class 3A State Tournament semifinals.

Garner hopes to take the Lions further in the playoffs during his next two years and pick up a few collegiate offers along the way. — Sean McBryan


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