Class C & Independents Prep Profile

Dylan Thayer & Owen Carlson | Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

To complete our series of prep profiles, we take a look at some of the best remaining prep teams who we have yet to break down, including some more teams from the Power 5-AAA League, some NEPSAC Class-Cs, and another independent. 

The remaining Power 5-AAAs of note include Busche Academy and Springfield Commonwealth Academy. 

BUSCHE:

With this team, it might be worth beginning with the Class of 2027, as they have two of the class’s most intriguing prospects, Salim Diaby and Emmanuel Malok. Diaby is a Guinean native and national team player that packs a blend of overall fluidity at his height, defensive presence as a shot blocker, and a growing offensive game. Malok, a South Sudanese native, also exhibits a similar size/upside with notable quickness and athleticism. Both prospects are standing around the 6’10-6’11 mark. Fellow freshman, Soren Lolonga, has impressed with his bounce and scoring around the basket.

Another one of the biggest names to know from this squad is that of newcomer 2026 guard Jaiden Holloman, who dropped 40 earlier this season in a game against Busche before transferring to the team. The guard packs a scoring punch using his quickness off the dribble and fearlessness attacking the basket to create scoring opportunities. 

2025 Preston Sledge has been another scoring threat for Busche this season as the guard has posted multiple 15+ point outings. He is also an impressive playmaker, regularly creating shot opportunities for others with smart passes. Damarius Roberts has been noted for some time now as the guard brings an excellent all-around game and wills his squad in games. This team is certainly one to keep an eye on as the season progresses. 

SPRINGFIELD COMMONWEALTH:

Another crew out of the Power 5-AAA League who has seen success this year is Springfield Commonwealth Academy. The first name that comes to mind from this group is 2024 wing Jorjan Flores, who has been an offensive leader, dropping 31 points and grabbing 8 boards in a close battle with Massanutten Military Academy at the HoopHall Prep Showcase. 

Brian Blanchet and Darrien Ponder have been notable as both regularly contribute as scorers, with each reaching 20+ points in big games. Blanchet has popped off for big scoring games including a 36 point performance, and is really impressive as a shot creator off the dribble with finesse to his game. Ponder is a knockdown shooter from three-point range who excels both off the catch and on standstill treys. 

Venezuelan U17 standout guard Ydderick Gonzalez is just a sophomore, and is a prospect to monitor. Gonzalez posted a triple-double in international play against Brazil, and is a noted cerebral guard that has a well-rounded overall game. Bryan Saleh is an impressive forward out of Lebanon with floor-stretching skills at the forward position. Certainly a team to follow throughout the rest of the season. 

SOUTH SHORE CHRISTIAN:

South Shore Christian Academy has a couple of names worth getting to know in the guard duo of Samuél Waston and Kam’ron Gordon. Both guards have played major roles for the team this season.

Waston is an athletic guard out of the class of 2025 who has been one of the primary scoring leaders for this year’s team, regularly reaching the 20 point plateau. Waston is shifty and uses it to shake defenders. Once he’s maneuvered through, he is known to finish above the rim with force.

Of the underclassmen, Gordon is another guard who has played a major role for this crew. In a big-time battle with Brewster Academy (AAA), he dropped 22 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished 4 assists, and tallied a whopping 5 steals. Gordon is a knockdown mid-range shooter with strong defensive instincts, especially defending the basket. 

NEPSAC CLASS-C:

Lastly, we finally close out this year’s series of prep profiles with a few noteworthy teams from Class-C of the NEPSAC. Lexington Christian, Wheeler, and Rocky Hill currently sit atop the Class-C standings at the time of this article’s writing. 

Led by 2024 guard Nathan Rubin, Lexington Christian has a few prospects to know. Rubin is a marksman, shooting over 50% from downtown and playing a major offensive role for LCA. On the defensive end, he impacts the game by forcing turnovers and swatting shot attempts. Clark-commit Kelvin Danforth has been an eye-catching prospect for some time now as the forward brings some length, rebounding skill and touch around the rim, while Wheaton-commit Jared Stubblebine brings a triple threat with strong playmaking vision and scoring skill. Notable underclassmen guards Jayden Duverne, Jakari Clark, and Nik Boateng have notable upside to track as well.

Wheeler has an intriguing group of 2026 guards in the Edmonds, Jaylen and Jabari. Jaylen is a shifty guard that uses quick moves to power past defenders. Jabari brings a strong blend of guard skills and height at 6’ 4. His physical play and exceptional production earned him an FIU offer this past summer. 2025 Jake Freeman has been a major producer this season with shotmaking from three in rhythm on full display, most notably in a 40 point performance in December.

Rocky Hill has received major production from its underclassmen this season with a number of guys making an impact. Adrian Shepard Jr has been their go-to scorer this season and he has stepped up to the bill. Using his extreme athleticism and offensive arsenal, Shepard has had a number of 20+ point performances this season. 2027’s Elijah McNair and Uriah Williams have been notable contributors to the squad as well. McNair uses long strides and force to convert at-will at the basket while Williams knocks down shots at all three levels with finesse. Fellow freshman guard Justin Urey has been on our radar for some time now as the guard brings great ball handling skills and scoring power.