Johnny Magna, Christ The King--Shouldering a strike or be struck modus operandi, the 6-foot-3 Class of 2027 point guard garnered First Team All CHSAA “AA” honors during a breakthrough junior season.
A major coming of age year was waiting in the wings for the LaSalle commit, as he was a Top-3 national scorer on the hyper competitive EYBL circuit with the NY Lightning.
Magna turned in a 29-point performance during the summer, with his ability to scorch defenders and get downhill in blurrish fashion catching LaSalle’s attention after he drew high major offers from the likes of Illinois and Arizona State, amongst others.
Magna then transitioned to the point guard role under Joe Arbitiello this past season, engineering the high low attack and creating for the fleet of shooters playing alongside him.
Several games into the season, as he continued to score in the high 20s, Magna became the most important figure as a play creator who seemingly has a hand in 60+ percent of his team’s offensive output.
Magna was tinkering with a triple double nearly every game this past season, shouldering a multi-faceted role as a three-year veteran.
The Queens native first appeared on the scene as a beyond his years gym rat, playing up in Middle School on the AAU circuit.
This past season, however, his surefire know-how and adeptness of feel for the game raised his entire team’s play.
Magna spent this past season cementing his status as a unique positional threat with his rebounding and ability to defend various positions.
In the process, he helped guide CTK to a Brooklyn/Queens title, scoring 13 second half points and turning in vital conventional 3-point plays during a second half power surge in a 68-53 victory over Holy Cross.
Prior to this, Magna poured in a game best 31 points to propel CTK during a wild 3OT marathon win over St. Francis Prep in the B/Q semifinals.
He became a mid range extraordinaire, getting to his spots and constantly earning trips to the free throw line where he shot 93 percent.
As he prepares for the rigors of a senior season as the longest tenured player in Middle Village, Magna will have lofty expectations as a NY Catholic Schools and NY Gatorade Player of the Year favorite.
Jack Moynahan, Riverdale Country Day--The 6-foot-6 Moynahan brought a level of toughness and a polished skill set which enabled him to operate at multiple positions.
Moynahan was a chore to stay in front of with his knack for head fakes and hard surges to the rim.
He possesses a diverse offensive package with his deft touch from 3-point range.
Moynahan bolstered Riverdale Country Day on the perimeter, sticking movement 3s and also utilizing his size to space the floor out.
He is constantly carving his way to the rim on baseline attacks.
Part of Moynahan's rapid evolution this past season entailed developing a crafty finishing repertoire with either hand.
With long arms and possessing a high motor at this level, the Class of 2026 Moynahan was able to generate possessions with his rebounding and knack for snatching boards out of his area.
Souleymone Kone, Cardinal Hayes HS--Kone has been a tactical, explosive scoring threat with an efficient arsenal.
Coming alive during the stretch run, Kone has shown athleticism and a knack for levitating above the rim.
With his ability to knock down corner 3-pointers and get into the teeth of the defense for floaters, Kone provided a major spark for Joe Lods’ guard heavy lineup.
Next season, the Class of 2028 prospect will play an even more prominent role.
He can be employed at both backcourt spots, with his ability to play-make and stick mid range jumpers.
Hayes will have arguably the most backcourt depth in the CHSAA “AA” conference as they return a high usage and highly productive guard in long 6-foot Class of 2028 guard Bryce Yancey and a high IQ point guard with an adeptness for running a team in fellow sophomore Hector Almodovar.
Zach Wasserman, Columbia Prep: The 6-foot-4 Class of 2028 prospect is tracking as one of the top scoring guards in New York City.
From the Manhattan area, Wasserman authored an immense breakthrough sophomore season, turning in a handful of games of 5 3-pointers or more and dissecting defenses to the tune of 25 points or more several times.
While scoring may be the finer point of his hardwood trade, pesky defense and an IQ has played a substantial role in differentiating him.
Wasserman had multiple games of six steals or more and was able to elicit turnovers and convert them into transition buckets.
He surpassed what was expected of him after showing flashes as a freshman, when he stuck four 3-pointers in a crucial playoff win.
While many anticipated he would play a major role, he took flight as the focal point.
Like Kone, his athleticism and ability to get above the rim has garnered notice.
Like several other sophomores, especially guards, he will be recruited on his floor and his long term upside as a guy who is still growing.
Damian Mojica, The Masters School--Mojica was a major piece for a rejuvenated Masters team which put together one of the best seasons in recent memory, piling up a 22-6 overall record.
Mojica averaged 14 points, grabbed seven boards and dished out three assists per game this season.
Defensively, he brings uniqueness and versatility with his ability to guard other wings.
As a point forward, Mojica fits today’s game with his ability to put the ball on the deck at 6-foot-8.
He has shown an increase with his explosiveness and ability to deliver hard dunks.
The hyper competitive EYBL climate will be a significant setting for him this off-season, as he will play for the PSA Cardinals.
With his floor awareness and the ability to draw mismatches, the next few months could potentially go a long way in bolstering Mojica’s Division-I stock.
Even amid unprecedented times and the steady uncertainty which hovers over the recruiting environment like never before.