NE Preview Day two Takeaways
October 13, 2024 by MADE Hoops Staff
The 4th annual Northeast Preview kicked off on Saturday. Featuring some of the top programs from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast in attendance, the amount of talent in the gym was astounding. With that in mind, the MADE staff highlights some of the best performers from day two:
Time For Burth To Start Pinging The Radar
At Adlai Stevenson (NY), Bronx big man Tristan Burth was one of the better big men in the PSAL. After having a number of programs jump into his recruitment very late into his senior year, the talented big man opted to join Bridgeport Prep for a post-grad season. A lanky and mobile five man that runs the floor well, has good touch around the rim, and challenges shots, Burth will end up a division one prospect after continuing his development at a Bridgeport Prep program that both features its bigs and gets the most out of them.
Derrick Morton-Rivera Puts On A Show
A talented shooter and scorer who has had a massive fall over a number of pre-season events, Derrick Morton-Rivera put together yet another big scoring performance on Sunday afternoon 20 point win vs a short-handed College Achieve team. An efficient scorer who gets his shot within the offense and is a dangerous catch and shoot guy, DMR continues to look like a high level college player more and more. The expectations for this Father Judge group are high, and it appears that Morton-Rivera is poised for a big leap his junior year. Don’t be surprised if it ultimately ends up with Judge winning a league championship.
Liberty Fusire Continues to Rise
One of the best shot blockers and big men on the MHC this season, rapidly-improving forward Liberty Fusire was a factor on both ends of the floor on Sunday. He gets off the floor quickly and has great timing when challenging shots. Fusire also looks bigger and stronger than he did over the AAU season and looked more comfortable shooting the ball as well. If he continues to develop as he has in recent months, there’s little doubt that he could be an impact recruit at the mid-major level at minimum.
Carter Smith is ready to make an impact
Talented freshman guard Carter Smith will be a key contributor this season for Penn Charter. During our NE Preview Smith played major minutes and made plays that helped Penn Charter win two games in Sunday’s action. Smith is a player who is starting to garner some buzz as one of the best 2028 prospects in the area, and for good reason. Smith is comfortable taking on the challenge as a point of attack defender, and playing off of talented guards like Kai Shinholster and Jake West on the offensive end. Freshman guard has a ton of upside.
Bonner looks to turn the tide in PCL play
Coach Cassidy and the young Friars have their work cut out for them as they try to come together and make a deep run into the PCL playoffs this upcoming season. The Friars have a talented team and showed flashes of how competitive they can be during Sunday’s action at the NE Preview. 2027 guard tandem of Korey Francis and Kam Jackson will cause problems for opposing teams this season. Francis being a strong, downhill playmaker with budding athleticism and Jackson being a speedy, shot-creating combo guard, they complement each other well. Millersville commit Devon Nelson will bring scoring and senior leadership, while Peyton McClendon showed promise as a reliable post presence defensively with his length and motor skills.
Phelps is ready to make some national noise
Last season The Phelps School was headlined by Illini guard Will Riley who took the country by storm with his polished, volume scoring ability. With Riley now in college, Phelps is looking elsewhere for leadership, and it’s safe to say this year’s squad will be a collective effort. Phelps is loaded this year from top to bottom and their versatility, size and athleticism will give opposing teams fits this season. They return Penn State commit Justin Houser and Arkansas State commit Onyx Nanni to sure up their frontcourt, while players like Nyce Bakare, Sulley Janiwade, Tommy Vaughn and Lafayette commit Beckett Currie make plays on the perimeter. 2028 center Moon Yue will be a bright spot for Phelps as a young player with high-major upside that can come in and contribute right away.