Just watched Ducharme's second game of the day, wilder than the earlier game. Lots of whistles, fouls, delays, much more than I've seen in an EYBL game. Ducharme went down hard a couple times on drives to the basket but was ok. Really crazy finish. Ducharme's BABC team had a tough time holding a lead again. Up two with six seconds to go, Ducharme steps to the line and knocks them both down seemingly to ice the game. Other team hits a very deep three with three seconds to go. BABC throws a long pass, turns it over at the other end, other team dribbles up the court about to launch a 60 foot shot when a player on Ducharme's team reaches around and knocks the ball loose at the buzzer but gets called for a foul. Other team steps to the line down one point and misses them both.
Ducharme had a strong game. Has a good feel for the game, handles the ball frequently with the occasional turnover. Drives only when he sees an opening but if it closes up he doesn't have the athleticism to finish and it can end in a missed shot or turnover. In the three games I've seen, he's never used his very good leaping ability because he's not that type of player during a game, doesn't have the strength to go strong to the basket. He's a shooter/scorer. He moves around the court effortlessly, light on his feet, not quick but not slow either. Never seems hesitant, anxious or unsure of himself on the court. He seems like the type of player who would put up a lot of points if he goes to a school a level or two down from Syracuse. He could be a taller Girard, although he's a different type athlete than Joe.
The guy that really stands out on BABC is TJ Power, a physical 6'7" white kid who plays point guard on offense and center on defense. He is the opposite of Ducharme as an athlete, looks for contact and often looks to initiate it on his many drives. Reminds me of Buddy this year, bumping his defender towards the basket. But Power is only a high school junior and he has more moves than Buddy does now, uses frequent 180 spins when he's not banging his defender back. He is also a good three point shooter, strong on the boards and a good playmaker. He might not have as high a ceiling as other more gifted athletes because he seems like he's more of a finished product right now, but he is going to be a very good college player for somebody. He's a gamer. Best Syracuse comparison might be a more aggressive Justin Taylor. Power plays like he knows he's the sun the rest of the team revolves around, but not in a selfish way.