2023 Scholar Roundball Classic Recap

Dylan Thayer | Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

The Scholar Roundball Classic has concluded, and we begin this recap with a sincere thank you to all those who contributed to the event's success. From the dedicated event staff, college coaches, and participating teams to fellow media outlets, parents, and fans – your support is deeply appreciated. We hope we were able to provide the ideal showcase event for you to enjoy.

Over the weekend, we took over the Boston area, utilizing various gyms across the map to host a plethora of high-quality basketball games. This segment marked the high-academic portion of the National Prep Championship Series, featuring prep schools from Pennsylvania to Canada, as prospects showcased their skills both on the court and in their academic ability.

Recapping the event necessitates beginning with the standing-room-only game between Brimmer & May and CATS Academy. From the onset, it was evident that this matchup held significant meaning for both sides and would come down to the wire. It did just that, finishing in overtime as both teams went back-and-forth in a dog fight.

Jaylen Harrell stole the show with an electric 44-point performance, showcasing lights-out shooting over contesting defenders with an efficient handle to create space for great pull-up looks. Patrick Otey, a 2027 guard, played a pivotal role in the win, making crucial shots down the stretch, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Desmond Bellot, a 2026 point guard, reinforced his budding reputation, commanding the offense with lead guard vision, handling, and confidence in crucial moments.

Andre Mills of Brimmer & May continued to build on his monster senior season with a stellar 27-point performance, highlighting his impending rise on the national ranks. Mills is the life and soul of his squad, playing the role of superstar and leader for a young group. His Rutgers-commit running mate Bryce Dortch made impactful plays, contributing 17 points and 11 boards, including a critical free throw conversion to force overtime with 0.8 seconds on the clock. Underclassmen guards Cole Craffey and Ladanion Payne showcased their skills, with Craffey hitting clutch shots and Payne making significant contributions in rebounds and tough baskets.

2025 Class Looks to Be Stronger Than Most May Think

Daithi Quinn led Tabor Academy to two wins over the weekend. Quinn's performances included an 18-point, 9-rebound effort and a remarkable 32-point outing against Winchendon. The wing positions himself as one of the standout 2025 prospects in New England, deserving attention from universities nationwide.

St. George’s secured a tough victory over the Cheshire Cats, with Barrett Loer dominating the second half, showcasing scoring skills inside and out highlighted by his high motor and drive to win. Loer's performance, with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, earned him an offer from Penn State, who was in attendance.

Top-ranked Joson Sanon posted 33 points despite a loss to a formidable Perkiomen squad from Virginia. Sanon's top-tier shotmaking abilities were on full display, attempting to lead his team to victory. Perkiomen’s Gabe Tanner led his squad with 19 points.

Ryan Altman of Rivers continued to impress with an outstanding performance in their Friday night victory over Williston-Northampton. Altman's versatility was evident as he scored 11 quick points, including a sequence where he blocked a shot, rebounded, initiated a transition, and executed a dunk off a pass.

Zoumana Traore of Millbrook showcased intriguing guard skills at his taller frame, positioning himself as an under-the-radar 2025 prospect for colleges.

Ryder Frost used his physical play to contribute 32 points for Phillips Exeter in a win. Frost, with his combination of size, shooting ability, and physicality, has garnered a plethora of offers since June.

Isaiah Langham of Belmont Hill appears to be a stock-riser in the class, showcasing prolific dunking abilities, an interesting overall offensive game, and growing college interest, as highlighted by Adam Finkelstein.

Northfield Mount Hermon’s Vincent Chaudhri had an exhilarating Scholar Roundball debut, scoring 28 points on 10/16 shooting in a victory. Chaudhri has attracted recruitment from a list of notable schools.

Unsigned 2024’s Made Some Waves

Blair Academy’s Eric Ihekwaba turned heads with a commanding presence in the paint, boasting an incredible 9/10 shooting performance for 18 points and four rebounds.

Quadri Bashiru, an imposing presence for the Hill School of Pennsylvania, made a compelling case for more Division 1 recruitment.

Choate’s Christian McClease showcased his capabilities by hitting clutch free throws and demonstrating smart play. The wing guard has received significant Division II recruitment and garnered interest from local Division I programs.

Winchendon's Rolyns Aligbe was a force in the paint, scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in a matchup against another AA powerhouse. He also had a 16-point, 11-rebound outing in their second game of the weekend. Aligbe received an offer from Central Connecticut State following the weekend.

Underclassmen Are Here and Ready

Blair’s Deron Rippey Jr. caught attention immediately with an emphatic dunk just five seconds into the game at the National Prep Showcase. The young guard continued to impress this weekend in front of an early morning crowd of coaches, and is likely to receive national rankings in the near future.

Chris Powell of the Westminster School made a significant Scholar Roundball debut, showcasing his highly touted skills on the big stage in New England for the first time. Powell made several shots, powered by his craftiness and overall skilled offensive arsenal, finishing with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in his lone outing.

The CATS combo of guards Patrick Otey and Desmond Bellot once again lived up to expectations.

Antonio Pemberton played a significant role in Bradford Christian's victory on Saturday morning, proving that no lights are too bright for his talent to shine.

Brimmer & May guards Ladanion Payne and Cole Craffey were pivotal in the game of the weekend, as discussed earlier. Additionally, Windston Legentus showed flashes of why he has been a growing name in the region over the last year.

The weekend was a great one as the Scholar Roundball Classic was a massive success, with 48 teams participating and grinding in front of a number of schools. While it's impossible to mention everyone in this recap, please check both the @PrepNational and @NERRHoops accounts on X to catch up with the sounds and scenes of the weekend provided by Owen Carlson.

Stay tuned as we get closer to January for more information on our HoopHall Prep Showcase!