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| 23' Franklin Ayissi-Etoh, 22' Noah Batchelor, 23' Kamal Francis where all selected to the Triple Threat 2020 All-Star Game |
Picking the right high school transfers
centers around properly evaluating the calculated risk. While many programs take on these ricks as a
complementary process to roster building; Glenelg Country School may have
mastered the art. For the second year in a row the Dragons out of Ellicott City
secured another talented Top 100 prospect; this time in the class of 2023.
Franklin Ayissi-Etoh, the 6’3
combo guard from Montgomery County who appears on multiple national boards
announced that he will be taking his talents to GCS. Etoh will join class of 2022 USA Basketball /Top
60 National Prospect 6’7 SF Noah Batchelor on a roster that also includes the MIAAs top JV scorer 2023 6’2 Kamal
Francis. Francis got valuable experience
throughout the season practicing with the varsity squad and competing in the team’s
non-conference and post-season schedule.
The Dragons went into last
season with a senior laden team that many expected to vie for the conference
championship. Losing 4-seniors for a lot
of programs might be cause for a rebuild, but in this instance the GCS program;
it’s simply a reload. The 20-21 will
look vastly different in appearance and in style. Look for Head Coach Garrett O’Donnell in
employ a more up-tempo attacking approach on both ends. With the combination of skill, talent and athleticism
they will look to learn on the job; and produce a similar result to another
young team from this past season – Archbishop Spalding. Spalding after gaining
experience used their talent to make a late season run; making it to the conference’s
final 4 before bowing out to eventual champion Mt. St. Joe.
What they lack in experience they
will look to make up in talent starting with Noah Batchelor; who currently
holds offers from Georgetown, Memphis, Maryland, Florida, Virginia Tech,
Clemson and George Washington. Batchelor
who reminds you of former FSU sharp shooter Bob Sura; is a confident shooter himself that possesses great
size and length. He has a big time stroke, quick trigger and deep range. His
size and length allow him to shoot over smaller opponents with ease. Every shot
he takes looks to have a chance to go in. Noah will take some tough contested
shots but when his feet are set he can knock down many jumpers in a row.
Batchelor sprints the
floor in transition looking to spot up on the side of dribble penetration. He
also has great shot preparation when the ball is reversed to him. Noah comes
off screens well and also does a good job of setting up his defender in order
to obtain separation. If Batchelor adds a mid range game and develops a “Plan B”
when opponents make him dribble in addition to working on passing/handling the ball
under pressure he will be a All-Met consideration. Noah goes to the offensive
glass but has the ability and athleticism to be productive in this area and
average double figures on a nightly basis. He is a great in O’Donnell’s system
of set plays which will find ways to get him open.
Add a second top national prospect
in “The Artist’ Franklin Ayissi-Etoh - Etoh makes plays from either guard spot with a plethora of
tools in his arsenal. Known for his shiftiness and moves-on-moves in the open
floor he also displays a high level skill set that allows him to operate
effectively in the half court as well. He keeps the ball on a string with his
handle, showing a high IQ in ball-screen situations - while able to knock down
shots of the catch and the dribble.
A machine when it comes to
creating offense for himself and others and plays an unselfish brand of
basketball – with such an advance offensive repertoire with the ball is in his
hand; his defensive acumen may be
just as elite as he is an active communicator who is excellent with trapping,
helping and rotating.
Etoh’s backcourt running mate will
be 6’2 sophomore Kamal Francis, this fearless guard will play both guard positions
and has shown promise at running the
team, making good decisions and taking care of the basketball . Francis pushes
the ball and attacks the lane when in transition and the defense falls asleep.
He is athletic and strong enough
to score through contact having put on 15lbs since the end of the season. He has a strong middle game that
includes elbow and dribble pull ups showing good elevation on both. He is a
streaky three point shooter but makes enough to make the defense respect
him. He has a excellent basketball IQ
and the confidence and scoring ability to put up big numbers. He can drive,
draw and kick when he draws multiple defenders. Francis should be an x-facotr
player for the Dragons next season because of not only his talent but his
energy, effort, toughness and willingness to compete on both ends of the floor.
Put those together with a front-line containing a 3-player rotation over 6’7/6’8 and they should be in the
conversation when all the chips fall.
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