2024 Smartball Classic Semi Finals Primer
August 29, 2024 by Brian Flinn
The Smartball Classic is one of several late Summer high school warmup tournaments in New York City. A 32 team single elimination tournament, its “lose and go home” format makes the games highly competitive. For most of August, the opening rounds have delivered some fantastic games that will set the stage for the coming high school season. Now only four teams remain. Here’s how each team got here and who will need to continue to perform to advance to Saturday’s championship game.
Game # 1 Cardinal Hayes vs Thomas Jefferson
Cardinal Hayes
The Cardinals are led by the returning guard trio of Jermel Thomas, Kaelen Destin, and Malik Fields. Thomas is one of the most creative passers in the country while Destin and Fields both can get hot from beyond the arc. Destin in particular has shot the ball well this month and could be the X-factor tonight. After escaping Eagle Academy II with a one point win, Hayes took care of Brandeis in round two before knocking off another PSAL power in James Monroe. 2026 guard David Gaymon brings some size to the floor as does 2027 big man Amadou Barry. 2027 guard Christian Brown is another newcomer to the varsity level who provides scoring and playmaking.
Thomas Jefferson
The All-City duo of Connor Sprattley and Jahda Swann are up to their usual tricks this month. Sprattley continues to be one of the best shooters and playmakers with the ball in his hands while Swann is starting to hit a different level of production. At 6-foot-5, his ability to block shots and rebound allows him to anchor the Jefferson defense without sacrificing any of the passing, scoring, or slashing that he brings to the table offensively. Like Swann, senior guard Mo Morris plays bigger than his 6-foot-3 frame and 2026 guard Trevor Lewis is capable of making plays on both ends of the floor. Jefferson kept Earl Monroe at arms length for the entirety of their first round win, and then beat fellow Brooklyn PSAL contender Brookylyn Collegiate in round two before knocking off Monsignor Scanlan in round three.
The Matchup
There’s a really good chance that it’s Sprattley and Thomas that matchup directly, but this game features two of the best 2026s in the city in Thomas and Swann. Thomas’ ability to create comes straight out of NYC playgrounds and will likely lead to a number of highlight assists this evening, but it’s Thomas’ improved defense that will be just as important against one of the city’s top scorers. Amadou Barry is the biggest and most physically imposing player on the floor in this one, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jefferson allow him to work down low and throw Swann at one of Kaelin Destin or Malik Fields. It’s going to be an interesting matchup of guards who like to get out and thrive in open space.
Game # 2 Eagle Academy vs St. John’s Prep
Eagle Academy
The new-look Eagle Academy might just be deeper than they were a year ago when they were Bronx champions. Led by three returnees in wing CJ Dorreiland (2025), as well as guards Elijah King (2027), and Ace Cummings (2026), the Bronx group looks like a dangerous one. Dorreiland is an athletic and versatile defender who’s just starting to come into his own, King is one of the elite shooters in the city, and Cummings may make the biggest jump in production in the PSAL out of anyone. New-to-the-program guards RJ Walker (2025), Denim Trotman (2026) and Gio Moran (2027) also look ready to contribute and will likely play a factor in tonight’s outcome. Eagle cruised in their opening round win before knocking off upstart Queens program Epic South in round two. A comeback win over Nazareth in round three may be one of the best games of the entire tournament.
St. John’s Prep
St. John’s Prep has been great at Smartball, knocking off Brooklyn power South Shore in round one before beating Section 1’s most storied program in Mount Vernon. A win over fellow queens CHSAA program Holy Cross got them to this point. 2025 Forward Patrick Rouse is a highly athletic player who can play inside or out. 2026 G Ryan Edwards has used this month to throw his hat into the ring as one of many scholarship level players in the junior class in and around the city. The program itself has been on a steady ascent under head coach John Kiggins and will move up to the “A” division of CHSAA this season. This run should signal to the rest of the league that SJP is a force to be reckoned with.
The Matchup
Edwards has been the breakout star of this year’s Smartball Classic. Can the rising junior guard put up another big performance against an Eagle backcourt that can realistically throw several defenders at him? Patrick Rouse vs Cj Dorreiland could be a fun “above the rim” matchup featuring two guys who could ultimately flip this game due to their talent. Trotman and Moran have an important role to play in getting the ball to their scorers in Cummings and King. Ultimately Eagle may be a bit too deep, but St. John’s has gotten to this point so far.