BY ZACH SMART
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — An array of local players from the New York/New Jersey area will be on display at the Hoophall Classic this weekend.
Here’s a look at some of the top names to watch:
Kayden Allen, LUHI–While he has always been a versatile defender first, the Cincinnati-bound 6-foot-5 guard has steadily emerged to a go to source for LUHI.
With an injury shelving 2026 point guard Dylan Mingo, a five star point guard deciding between Baylor, North Carolina, Penn State, and Washington, Allen has scored it at all three levels.
He has an adeptness for levitating above the rim and has been a smooth ambidextrous scorer. He was able to display his deft 3-point touch in the last few games, sparking the perimeter game.
Allen has become a spurt-able threat, as he is able to rattle off points in a hurry when he starts to cook. He brings offensive uniqueness and balance with his knack for corner 3-pointers and ability to roam the baseline and finish in acrobatic fashion.
Jamaal Mcknight Jr., LUHI –The rugged 5-foot-11 point guard has catalyzed John Buck’s team as a shot maker who gets everyone their looks throughout the game.
McKnight has been a calming, stabilizing influence who never gets sped up and creates opportunity off the dribble. He recently turned in a performance of 23 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds during the Crusaders’ 67-60 victory over La Lumiere during the EYBL Scholastic La Porte Invitational.
Jasiah Jervis, Stepinac HS–The 6-foot-5 guard is capable of taking over a game in a variety of ways, on both ends of the floor.
During last year’s event, Jervis stuck four first half 3-pointers and applied a harassing, straitjacket brand of defense to help neutralize Richmond Heights (OH) top scoring option, getting him in foul trouble. Jervis wound up being MVP.
The Michigan State-signee is bolstered by a big game engine which differentiates him.
During a marquee Peach Jam matchup against AZ Unity this summer, before a jam-packed crowd, Jervis splashed six 3-pointers. He wound up with a game-best 28 points, propelling the Rens to the Quarterfinals with the victory.
Stemming back to his sophomore year at Stepinac, when he played alongside current University of Florida guard Boogie Fland, Jervis has shown an adeptness for triggering game changing runs.
The Bronx native shot 8-for-11 from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range during the city semifinals his sophomore year, catapulting the Crusaders to a convincing victory over St. Francis Prep at Fordham University.
In last year’s city title, Jervis stuck a straight on 3-pointer as the Crusaders came roaring back from a six point deficit to St. Raymond’s with 58.5 seconds remaining in regulation.
It was Jervis who then bagged the go-ahead 3-pointer in OT, as Stepinac overcame late game adversity and delivered its third city title in as many years.
The bigger the stage, the bigger Jervis plays.
Hassan Koureissi, Stepinac –The 6-foot-5 guard has been a vital veteran leader for Pat Massaroni’s team, which features a number of young players outside of its deep and weathered senior class.
A Fordham-signee, Koureissi scored a game-best 32 points and authored a major third quarter take over in which he stuck 3-pointers and mid range pull ups, en route to a 76-66 victory over Bartlett (TN) during the City of Palms in Florida.
Koureissi has played a major role for this team for three consecutive years, with a consistent outside touch and proficiency in scoring around the rim.
The Harlem native is a high level defender who sits down on smaller guards and uses his length in a variety of ways.
Darius Ratliff, Stepinac–Please, don’t wake up the nice guy.
The 7-foot, versatile, University of Southern California-bound Ratliff had a self actualization in the second half during arguably his best performance of the season, a 19 point and 12 rebound showing in a win over Iona Prep in the Crusader Classic.
Ratliff’s sudden epiohany allowed him to understand he is NOT a nice guy on the court, the nice guy in fact always gets punished, and to beat a gritty Iona Prep team before a standing room only crowd at the County Center…we’ll, you aren’t going to get there by being nice.
Ratliff went to work in the post. He got physical. He blocked and changed shots. He has taken off since, with a recent performance of 17 rebounds during a thorough win over Holy Cross.
Ratliff and Stepinac will have a fight on their hands with an IMG Academy team which is starting to come along.
IMG was led by an eruptive performance from Stanford-bound Aziz Olajuwon, who stuck five 3-pointers en route to an upset of SEPA in a battle of Florida-based national superpowers in La Porte.
Johnny Magna, Christ The King HS –The slick and crafty 6-foot-4 guard is constantly full throttle in his surges to the rim, knifing his way into traffic and completing twisting and turnaround layups.
Magna has come of age while relishing a leadership role for this CTK team, as he seems to have a hand in everything. He is able to generate critical possessions with his defensive rebounding.
The Class of 2027 Magna sparks the quick paced attack with his ability to fire in darts with either hand, finding guys for transition buckets.
He’s able to play make in the half court set and capitalize on timely reads.
The LaSalle-commit seemingly makes his teammates beneficiaries of his presence while scoring critical buckets during crucial transitions of the game.
Magna recently had a performance of 18 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to go with four steals in a home victory over Bishop Loughlin.
He’s turned in multiple games of 25+ points, following a summer in which he was a Top-3 national scoring threat on the EYBL circuit, averaging nearly 30 PPG.
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