Akrum Ahemed: The more coaches walk in the door, the more the confirmation that the 6-foot-5 Ahemed is a certifiable Division-I player with upside. The New Jersey native has played his best as of late, scoring 22 points during a recent 123-80 throttling of Upper Room. Ahemed’s shooting and ability to get into the lane and finish left-handed have been the most noteworthy components of his game.
His consistency shooting the ball while subsequently developing a more active presence in the offense has propelled the Knights, which are now 16-0. After playing behind a star-encrusted lineup at Oak Hill Academy, Ahemed has become a focal point. He’s been a reliable double digit scorer during a spate of recent blowout victories. There is always the prospect of a JUCO year for Ahemed.
A qualifier, Ahemed could certainly reap the rewards of plying his trade on a reputable JUCO stage. This opportunity would propel him to a potential stockpile of offers to sift through as a freshman. Still, a program that decides to pull the trigger on the lesser known but promising Ahemed will get a true late bloomer.
DeQuarius Nicholas: If this week’s performance was anything new from the 6-foot-1 Georgia-bred guard, it was indicative of his ability to rebound the ball exceptionally well for a guard. The scoring engine and ability to draw contact and finish have been there from the very beginning. Nicholas has the type of sheer toughness and grit that is transferable to the NCAA level. Guard play has long been the cornerstone for prominent high school teams, as bigs tend to take longer to develop throughout the process.
Flanked by Austin Galuppo, Weber State-bound Judah Jordan, Ahemed and others, Nicholas is a vital piece in Chris Chaney’s layered guard depth. His consistency, effort and the fact that his performance never dissipates is most notable.
Gerald Jarmon III: The quality of Jarmon’s play and his ability to score it at will have sparked the high school team, which still needs to close out games better. Jarmon’s high engine style of play and sheer nose for the rim make him routinely a threat to score the ball. He’s become the type of scorer who can engineer scoring runs and get hot in a hurry. While he earned All Tournament recognition during the team’s 69-61 loss to Haverford, Jarmon scored 21 points and was the source the team leaned on significantly throughout the first half. He knows how to attack the gaps and find the right shot. His savviness is best traced to the fact that he’s played major varsity minutes since he was a freshman, with an ability to break open games and ignite that game-altering run.
Austin Galuppo: You would be very hard pressed to find a better long range shooter on the prep level and perhaps the country. Galuppo started the week with a 31-point performance against Our Savior Lutheran (NY) and has been depositing timely treys at a frantic pace ever since. The key with the California-bred guard is his ability to reel off points in a hurry. Once he gets hot, he’s got the confidence and green light to continue pulling in from deep. This has been attributable to his performances this week–he hasn’t had one game in which he’s dipped under four 3-point field goals.
Ben Curtain: With his maddening corner 3-pointers, Curtain has the potential to be a handful for many teams throughout the country. His quick-strike shooting and ability to get hot in a hurry reared its head against Upper Room, when the Virginia native bagged a game-best six three-pointers during the second half. Curtain has had a 28-point game this season and really shown out as one of the most underrated and unheralded shooters on the prep circuit. As a specialist, he knows how to pile up points in quick-hit fashion.
Johannes Kirsippu: The Class of 2021 guard has a maturity and know-how about his game that makes him attractive to college coaches. With his long range shooting and deftness at getting to the rim and scoring on nifty drives, he’s gradually becoming an offensive catalyst as a point guard. He’s improved considerably as a passer and knows how to get his teammates involved.
Oli Jacquot: The 6-foot- guard has been a poised piece this season, a necessity given a starting lineup which includes two sophomores and two juniors. Jacquot has been a revelation as a shot-maker, opening up his 3-point range and sticking timely 3-pointers. Arriving to school in top-tier shape has been a factor for him this season, as he’s bought into the leadership component from the very start of it all.
