Upstate Unsigned Seniors Pt. 1

Chad Boyles | Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026

We are now past the midway point in the High School season, and while we start to follow the favorites to cut down the nets in their sections respectively, we also begin to track which players are leading them there.  Having already issued reports on some underclassmen worth keeping tabs on, now it’s time to pay our respects to some unsigned seniors, who are now circling their last lap in the attempt to help their teams make history, and in the process, navigate their recruitment.  In this report we take a look at some unsigned seniors who - if they are not already - should be on coaches radars.  

 

Section 2

 

Jacob Stewart - Shenendehowa

 

Stewart, who was a key piece of last year's Shenendehowa team that fell short of expectations, has now become the vocal point of a team that has exceeded preseason expectations.  Stewart has a great frame at 6’2”, and though is best known for his ability to shoot the ball from distance, does so much more that goes under-the-radar for the now 12-2 Plainsmen.  Stewart possesses a motor that is primed for instant impact wherever he lands a season from now, and his IQ and swift-decision making make him a threat with and without the basketball.  He handles pressure, reads defenses, and has the ability to hit tough shots for his team from all three levels.  Defensively, he is attentive to detail, often matched up against the other teams primary option, in which that aforementioned motor comes into great effect.  The fundamentally-sound guard plays off of two-feet and upon my evaluation, makes those around him better.  

 

Keith Robinson - Hudson

 

Robinson, briefly mentioned in our midseason report after eclipsing 2,000 points for his High School career remains unsigned with options available.  As impressive as his ability to score the ball is, you could make a highlight compilation purely off of his ability to pass the ball too.  Robinson plays at his own pace - one that will benefit him wherever basketball takes him next.  He goes from zero to 100 offensively with the ball in his hands, quick bursts of speed that allow him to get to his spots and often elevate over defenders.  His pull-up game is certainly ready for the next level, as is his ability to hit shots from the perimeter.  Defensively he’s a pest, clearly conditioned to help teams win games, evident by the Bluehawks’ 13-2 record.  His poise takes charge at times too, and while you know what’s coming, regardless of the defensive attention he commands, he still makes things happen - whether that’s creating his own look, or benefiting from the ball-watching defensively by hitting an open teammate. 

 

Brady Smith - Hudson Falls

 

Smith, as he has for sometime, leads Hudson Falls in most every category.  The 6’6” forward is a prospect for coaches at a few different levels giving his ability to play inside and out.  Smith has continued to display his developed versatility - using his strength and athleticism on the block, and his ability to shoot and shot-create on the perimeter.  Like those mentioned before him, there is something to note of the IQ and pace that Smith plays with and how that will translate throughout his basketball career.  He’s a dynamic prospect, with great footwork around the rim, and the wherewithal to know when to step away and provide his teammates with an option from three.  He’s active on the glass, and while often pinned up against the opposing bigs, has shown real comfortability in his ability to guard multiple positions around the perimeter.   

 

Bless Demand - Shaker

 

Safe to say that Shaker’s point guard put himself on coaches' radars last spring in leading the Blue Bison to a State Championship.  This season, he continues to do well for himself, and has continued to show development in a few different aspects of his game.  While possessing all the skills necessary to be a floor general, I’ve noticed an uptick in his ability to create good looks for himself.  He moves well without the basketball which has complimented his ability to knock down good looks from three.  He’s shifty heading downhill and has an innate ability to know when to stop and go.  Subsequently, he tends to always make the right decision, not forcing things, which will translate to the next level of basketball for him, much like it does on this talented Shaker team.  He’s also gotten noticeably stronger, a useful tool for an undersized guard defensively.  Quick on his feet, the added strength makes him an even tougher matchup for opposing guards.

 

Section 4

 

Britten Zeh & Brady Carr - Oneonta

 

Brady Carr, recently mentioned in our Midseason report, became Oneonta’s all time scoring leader earlier this season and has just eclipsed the 1500 mark for his career.  The 6’6” sharp shooting wing headlines a Yellow Jacket squad that is 12-3 through this point in the season.  His size, length, and ability to let it fly from beyond the arc should keep him on college coaches’ radars.  Carr has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which keeps him busy on the glass and efficient around the rim.  I also want to mention Britten Zeh, a big guard that runs the show for Oneonta.  At 6’2”, Zeh handles and directs traffic comfortably, hits shots, and continually provides for his teammates.  He’s had a number of high scoring games but continues to be an under-the-radar asset given his ability to do the dirty work - rebound, defend, etc.  The two make for a nice tandem, and both should garner some looks at the next level.      

 

Preston Ocker - Maine-Endwell

 

The only negative thing for coaches following Ocker, is that he’s also a talented football player, so interested suitors will have to fight competition from coaches in both sports!  Ocker also surpassed the 1,000 point milestone earlier this season, and has since continued to produce some pretty notable statlines.  The 5’11’ guard doubles as an All-State quarterback and plays with that level of grit on the hardwood.  Ocker is quick in transition and with the ball in his hands, strong and crafty around the rim, and a difficult matchup to get by defensively.  He is best known however for his ability to shoot the ball.  A quick release that is often found in the bottom of the net, and has been displayed in a few clutch moments this season including a game winner against Binghamton earlier this year.  Ocker is a natural leader and plays with an intense motor that mirrors his winning mentality - a characteristic any coach would look for in their starting QB and point guard. 

 

Section 3

 

Jahzar Greene - Bishop Ludden-Grimes

 

After Eli Prince’s reclassification and commitment to Cushing Academy, there is no doubt that Jahzar Green headlines a list of talented seniors in Syracuse’s Section 3.  The bulldog guard offers 94 feet of pure explosiveness each time he steps on the floor.  After a reported offer from Manhattan around Christmas time, he has continued to show out for the Gaelic Knights.  A threat from all three levels reflected in his tough shot-making ability and craftiness in attack, Greene is a force when left on an island.  Greene’s athletic ability helps his team by doing a lot more than scoring the rock.  He is a consistent presence on the boards, picks up a number of steals each game, and his ability to draw in multiple defenders provides his teammates with good looks in which Greene provides.  

 

Surafia Norries - Rome Free Academy

 

The lefty guard is a real game manager in comparison to so many of the scoring guards featured across upstate NY.  Norries possesses all of the floor general characteristics bypassed in today’s game, often one step ahead of his defenders.  His IQ appears to be the backbone of his game, manipulating defenders, directing traffic, breaking down defenses with his passing ability.  The southpaw hits shots comfortably from distance and is smooth in attack, often getting defenders on his hip before finishing off two feet or taking advantage of any doubles that come via help. He rebounds the ball well for a guard his size and is regularly in the thick of any loose-ball situations.  Norries has had a strong senior season averaging just south of 20ppg, and is leading his team in just about every other major category. 

 

Alex Trombley - Liverpool

 

Trombley, averaging north of 20 per game, is leading Liverpool to another solid season

at 11-3 through 14 games played.  The 6’1” combo guard has scored at least 20 in 9 games this season, including a season high 28 and two games notching 27, including his latest.  Trombley, who can definitely light it up from distance, has developed his inside game tremendously, getting more and more creative in the midrange and at the rim.  He may not be a lightning bolt, but he has such great awareness and craft that he’s able to get to his spots and create space with genuine success.  Trombley is certainly a microwave scorer, but has the ability to handle and pass to complement the skills at his size.  Like so many, he carries the poise and IQ to help contribute at the next level, wherever that may be.  

 

Avi Camby - Nottingham

 

Camby, alongside fellow senior prospect Dewitt Walker and junior Bol Garang have Nottingham off to a fierce 12-2 record so far this season.  Make no mistake though, Camby, another fiery guard, leads the Bulldogs.  The strong, athletic guard is a competitor, and has an unhinged motor.  As explosive and physical as Camby is going downhill, he has nailed 39 threes through 14 contests this season (2.7 per game), a testament to the hard work he’s spent on developing his outside game.  His motor doesn’t end there, Camby guards opposing ballhandlers 94 feet, and averages over a steal per game doing so.  Right now, Camby has Nottingham slated as the number 1 overall seed in their sectional tournament should the season end today. 

 

Sections 5 & 6 - WNY

 

Amir Moye - Health Sciences (VI)

 

Moye is averaging nearly 27 ppg for a 10-1 Health Sciences squad, including a 57 point performance earlier this season.  The WNY star is stocky, quick, and attacks the rim with great intent each time he’s given the opportunity.  He’s dynamic on the break and has a smooth release that when combined with his speed and shifty handle makes him near impossible to stay in front of and contest.  He protects the ball and plays off of two feet in the paint, keeping him beyond efficient from the field.  Moye plays hard and has Health Sciences, the defending Section VI AA champion, poised to do the same in Class AAA this season.  He reportedly holds one Division 1 offer from Monmouth from May 2024, and recently surpassed 1k for his career, after missing his entire junior season due to injury.  

 

Elijah Farmer - Jamestown (VI)

 

Farmer, a 6’5” wing courtesy of a Jamestown program that has dominated Class AAA out in WNY in recent history, is averaging a near double-double through 13 games this season.  Scoring 19 a game, Farmer uses his length and quick first step in attacking the basket, while on the perimeter displaying a swift release near impossible for defenders to contest.  He’s a unique prospect given his size, length, and ability to handle the ball and go at defenders at all three levels.  The aforementioned jumpshot has become a strength.  Farmer has six games this season in which he’s knocked down 3 or more from behind the arc.  As stated, he’s active on the glass and around the rim, having secured 9 or more rebounds in nine games so far this season. 

 

Kaden Larsen-Porter - Geneva (V)

 

Larsen-Porter has had some monster statlines for now 13-2 Geneva who look a real threat in Class A.  Larsen-Porter is a big, strong, dynamic forward who moves well, initiates contact, and shoots the ball over and through defenders with relative ease.  He’s crafty with the ball for his size, can put it on the deck, and has an efficient jump shot, making his college-ready status more concrete.  I haven’t garnered much intel on his recruitment, but in surfing upstate for some polarizing prospects, Larsen-Porter fits the bill.  He’s a do-it-all player and a walking double-double for a Geneva team that will try their hand at a sectional title out in Rochester.  

 

Russell Ellis Jr - Greece Athena 

 

Ellis, another high IQ point guard, demands a lot of attention from defenses on a nightly basis.  Quick and shifty, Ellis has a deep bag which helps him get to spots on offense often ending in an array of creative finishes at the rim.  He can shoot it from anywhere on the floor - off the dribble or in catch-and-shoot fashion.  Ellis recently surpassed 1,000 points for his career and has had a number of high scoring games this season, including a 32 point performance a few weeks ago.  Although his bursts of speed present him with self-created opportunities, he forces defenses to shift, where he counters by making the appropriate read through setting up his teammates.   

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