Amaizen Straughters – 2029

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Michael Pilsitz

Team Durant EYBL
Pine Richland
5’11 – Guard

Amaizen is a young Western PA guard to track closely. Already demonstrating an ability to get down hill in a flash with real shot making ability. Scholastically, he had a solid freshman year with big game varsity experience at Lincoln Park (Midland) and has had early EYBL success on the Nike circuit.

Definetly a young guard worth tracking closely this weekend. Has already checked several boxes that matter early: Varsity minutes, big program background, EYBL platform and plenty of public evaluations that lead to offensive instict. At this stage, the combination of youth, confidence, and scoring ability is what makes him notable. By the end of this summer with current progression trends and the move to Pine-Richland adds intrigue to his upcoming Sophomore year

Do we have a future power 6 guard? lead or combo guard?. Can he hold weight and absorb contact? Hold his line or get knocked off balance? Can he disrupt and defend bigger guards, what’s the explosion off the floor like? One thing’s for sure: PREP SCENE will be bringing you fluid updates on his progression and others with our re-laungh this SPRING 2026 #BESCENE

Stanley Rajkovich

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Michael Pilsitz

Wilcat Select 3SSB
Derry
6’7 – Forward

Emerging as one of the more productive and intrguing forwards in Western Pennsylvania’s 2027 class, Stanley will take the floor at 4:00 PM at D. Lawrence Convention Center on Court 4 in the 17U Platinum Division.

After a successful high school campaign which included multiple notable scoring performances, including 26 points vs Yough and clutch playoff performances, this 1000 point career scorer is looking to highlight his skill set against elite competition in preparation for the Adidas Circuit.

Prep Scene is excited to analyze how his proven high school scoring production translates this AAU season. Can the versatility he displays scholastically carry meaningful grassroots weight? Stay tuned as Stanley Rajkovich provides the answers to these questions and more. #BESCENE

PANGOS ALL EAST Frosh / Soph: Bigs Steal the Show

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PREP SCENE

DAY 1 I Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

St. Joe’s Prep in the heart of North Philadelphia was the site of Dinos Trigonis’ Latest PANGOS ALL EAST FROSH/SOPH event. Past campers include: Rondae Jefferson (Arizona/Nets) Derrick Jones (UNLV/Suns) Ja’Quan Newton (Miami), as well as, Kyle Anderson and Wade Baldwin (Grizzlies) Isaiah Briscoe (Magic) Trevon Duval (Bucks) ect…Play back is available to watch @BallerTV.com

This years day one was dominated by Keiner Asprill, a 7’0 freshman from Don Bosco High School in New Jersey. He is a physically gifted athlete with a strong core and upper body. Keiner keeps a low base, establishes position early in the possession and has the ability to explode off the floor like a much smaller guard. His physical gifts, hips and explosion off the floor separated him from the other elite big men at the camp. Kid just makes it look easy. loves to duck in and roll’s out of the pick and roll with textbook precision. Potential through the roof, few kids I’ve seen make me say… thats a unicorn. Best prospect I’ve seen since Oscar Tswiebe (Kentucky) at 15/16 years old.

The next two bigs went head to head in an evenly matched contest. The All-Star format had them on the floor together for a few minutes each half. Although their games were different, each definitely dominated when alone on the floor and held there own respectively head to head. The first, 6’7 Shareef Jackson is a sophomore at Roman Catholic. He is young bol’ thick right now, but when that man body appears underneath that youth physique Look Out! Huge upside… Shareef is the best passing big I have seen in several years regardless of class. He thrives setting up his teammates, with great recognition of doubles-possessing guard-like tendencies when distributing the rock Ala Kevin Love or Greg Monroe. He uses his body well and finishes through contact but its his passing that jumps out as ELITE!!! His opponent was The Pennington School’s 6’8 sophomore Cheikh Falls, Cheikh was raw, high energy and an absolute stud on the block. He dominated the event with sheer “bigger stronger faster” athleticism among peers, relying little on his expanding offensive game. Here at PREP SCENE we are excited to see him this season on the HS trial.

Another sophomore big to keep an eye on this season will be 6’11 Luke Bevilacqua at the George School in Newton, PA. Luke was effective all day using his size to score easily with both hands often without much resistance around the rim. He demonstrated the ability to step away from the basket and make the long ball as well. Moreover, Luke was equally productive on the glass, playing with a high motor and consistently scoring in transition.

Depending on your style, needs and team dynamics, here are 4 bigs worth tracking and monitoring their progression as the winter nights heat up.

*Sidenote: Roman Catholics Schedule not located at time of print, but will be added when received/located.

PANGOS ALL EAST Frosh / Soph: Bigs Steal the Show

On The SCENE…

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Scotland puts together a dominate opening 13 minutes against Vision Academy (NY), then cruises to victory.

SCOTLAND, PA (GAME RECAP 11.11.21)

Life is usually a little slower in Scotland, Pennsylvania. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, there is a serenity- a sense of calm and peace in Franklin County. That is of course, unless you are an opponent coming to play the national powerhouse Knights. New York City’s Vision Academy found out real quick how fast life can get in the countryside. The Knights nearly deflected every other pass their opponent attempted early on. Scotland used all ninety feet in suffocating fashion to speed up the late arriving Vision Academy. The flawless defensive clinic by Coach Chaney’s team led to a 52 point outburst, while tallying 20+ deflections and 13 steals in only 13 minutes of action. During the span, 5’11 PG Shawn Fulcher (NY) tossed in 17 points, including 4 deflections and 4 steals. While teammates 6’4 G Jaden Alexander (CA) and 6’8 F Halil Barre (NY) combined for 20 points with several aerial displays that would make the Blue Angels envious. Scotland led 63-35 at the half. The trio added only five points in limited action after the intermission to cruise to an 85-62 victory. The Knights were outscored 27-22 during the running clock second half. Vision Academy was led by Brooklyn, NY product Tyshawn Jack’s 11 points.

Prospective Student Athlete Spotlights

Scotland Campus

Jaden Alexander – demonstrated elite athleticism, knocked down the open look and impressed at the defensive end.

Halil Barre – world class athleticism, chest in the rim leaper, with agility, timing and knack for the ball. A few months with Coach Chaney away from a power 5 offer – get in early!!! Stock-Riser.

Shawn Fulcher – created the tone at the defensive end, speed and change of pace make him hard to guard, lived in the lane, creative finisher at the rim.

Johannes Kirsipuu – (6’1, G (Estonia)) – Solid lead guard, facilitates, tight handle and ability to get team into sets, strong leader.

Jaden Pena – (6’4, F (NY)) – absolute workhorse, played with a contagious energy, wirey and physical, makes winning play and rebounds position.

Will Young – (6’3, G (TX)) – defensive specialist, strong-long lanky basketball build w/ ability to disrupt opponents. Defense equals instant offense. Excited to see offensive package in GAC play, didn’t need it in this one.

Vision Academy

Kevin Coleman (6’7 F (PA)) – competed every play, outmanned in paint, active on the glass, rim protected, and impressed against several opponent bodies in lane, showed limited perimeter package on offense- best around the rim, slashing.

Kenyon Elliott (6’4 G (PA)) – best on the wing, played point large segments of game.

Tyshawn Jack (6’6 G (NY)) – bright spot of the day, attacked rim with a vengeance, several above the rim plays at both ends of the floor.