NHSF: Putnam Science vs. Gray Collegiate
Day two, Sunday, of this year's National High School Hoops Festival is jumping with hot matchups. Putnam Science and Gray Collegiate, from Connecticut and South Carolina, respectively, take the court at 1215p EST. For general event information, see the flyer at this article's conclusion.
For a look at Gray Collegiate and Putnam Science, see the following analysis:
Putnam Science
Skinny: Coached by Thomas Espinosa, Putnam Science Academy (CT) is a high powered, perimeter player driven squad, one that last season experienced great success. The Mustangs are not to be trifled with.
Schemes: Per Espinosa, Putnam Science doesn’t “run a motion offense”, instead choosing “quick hitters, two-man game, ball screens”. Ultimately “Our best offense is get out and go” said Espinosa, where observers can expect his team to “shoot a lot of threes in transition” as well as attack the tin.
Defensively the Mustangs pressure, including deploying “Press, man” defenses according to their coach. “Even in zone, we run traps” he added.
A few players of note: Putnam Science is led by all everything shooting guard, Hamidau Diallo. The 6’6”, 175 pound senior shooting guard is a dynamic finisher who has worked hard on his handle. Diallo’s outside game has improved.
His final six schools; Kentucky, Syracuse, Arizona, Indiana, UConn, Kansas.
Eric Ayala, a junior point guard standing 6’5”, 180 pounds is not blindingly quick, nevertheless gets to his spots using strength and moxie. Drives, finishes, finds and spots up.
Many schools covet him, including Arizona, Syracuse and Maryland, all of whom have offered, as have additional colleges.
X-factor: Espinosa dapped Jaheam Cornwall as the guy who “keeps everyone involved”, the team’s “leader”. The coach identified, “He’s the key” to Mustang success.
A slew of Northeastern based mid-majors have offered this 6’1”, 175 floor general, including Fairfield, Robert Morris, Maine and St. Frances (NY).
Gray Collegiate (SC)
Skinny: Head coach Don Bethea dubbed his War Eagles “Hard nosed”. Based in South Carolina, where “kids compete and play hard”, Bethea opined of his players “We’re a bunch of skilled, tough guys”.
Schemes: Regarding putting the ball in the cup, Gray Collegiate uses “A lot of ball screens, some four out, one in” in the half court said Bethea. But really the War Eagles like the fast break game.
To run you have to get stops (and rebound the ball). In terms of defense Bethea’s crew is primarily an “in your face, man to man team”, shared the coach. They have zone in their arsenal, but use it sparingly.
A few players of note: Any discussion of Gray Collegiate personnel must start with senior Jalek Felton, the 6’3” plus, 190 pound shooting guard, headed to UNC. Bethea simply said of Felton “He can do everything”.
Add Juwan Gary to the list; a 6’7”, skilled high rising swingman, Gary is a Class of 2019 star. South Carolina has offered, as have UNLV, ECU and Clemson.
X-factor: Bethea’s floor general, Alil Robinson, gets the nod. Also in the Class of 2019, he’s on the controls, making sure the team runs smoothly. Western Kentucky, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, ECU and others are showing him love.
