12 Standouts from Dime Sessions: Session 2

The second session of Dime Sessions brought another weekend of competitive basketball, with established programs continuing to build momentum and individual players finding different ways to separate themselves.

The value of an event like Dime Sessions goes beyond the final scores. With teams facing different opponents and styles of play, there are opportunities to evaluate how players respond to physicality, defensive pressure, changing matchups and the demands of playing multiple games over a weekend. A productive scoring performance can draw attention, but decision-making, defensive consistency and the ability to influence possessions without the ball are just as important.

Several players featured in the opening session continued to build on those performances, while others made a stronger impression with increased opportunities. The following 12 players stood out during Session 2, based on game observations, individual performances and the skills they demonstrated against the competition.

These are scouting observations rather than a ranking of the event's best players.

Miles Herbert (6'5", 2027) — WCPA Red

Miles Herbert showed the value of having a player who can organize an offence while still being capable of producing his own scoring opportunities. In WCPA Red's victory over CTA West Red, he consistently controlled the tempo and made good decisions when attacking defensive pressure. His ability to read the screen-and-roll was especially effective, repeatedly finding teammates moving toward the basket.

One sequence illustrated his awareness: Herbert drew the defence toward the middle before finding a teammate rolling into space for a finish. On another possession, he recognized the help defence and delivered the ball to an open shooter in the corner. He also contributed defensively, anticipating passes and turning turnovers into transition opportunities. Herbert's size and composure allow him to see over smaller defenders, while his willingness to involve teammates makes the players around him more effective.

Drew Byam (6'1", 2027) — CTA West White

Drew Byam's perimeter shooting is an obvious strength, but his overall command of the game is what continues to make him interesting. He followed a 22-point performance with 32 points against Summit, showing the ability to score from beyond the arc and make plays in transition. His range forces defenders to account for him well beyond the three-point line, creating opportunities for teammates when opponents extend their coverage.

Against Summit, Byam demonstrated more than shooting. He delivered a one-handed outlet pass the length of the floor, recognized opportunities to skip the ball across a zone and consistently looked to move the defence before making his decision. There were stretches where he settled for difficult perimeter attempts, an area where shot selection can continue to improve. Still, his combination of shooting, vision and understanding of tempo makes him an important part of CTA West White's offence.

Sam Li (6'2", 2027) — UPLAY NSS Scholastic

Sam Li made an impression through both his offensive production and his leadership on the floor. Scoring performances of 30 and 20 points demonstrated his ability to carry a significant offensive responsibility, but his communication and defensive awareness were equally important. Li was consistently engaged in directing teammates, recognizing developing plays and helping organize his team's response to pressure.

Defensively, he showed anticipation and a willingness to compete, applying pressure to ball-handlers and pursuing rebounds despite not being one of the taller players on the floor. He also looked to move the ball quickly in transition, recognizing when teammates had an advantage ahead of the defence. His next step will be maintaining that influence against opponents who can limit his scoring opportunities. The ability to contribute through leadership, passing and defence gives him several ways to remain effective.

Liam Rohatynchuk (6'3", 2027) — One Prep

Liam Rohatynchuk gave One Prep an offensive threat who could contribute in several different situations. His perimeter shooting was particularly noticeable, with multiple made three-pointers demonstrating his ability to stretch the floor. He was not limited to stationary catch-and-shoot opportunities, however, showing a willingness to attack the baseline when defenders closed out aggressively.

Rohatynchuk also contributed on the offensive glass, recognizing opportunities to extend possessions rather than remaining outside the play after a shot. That combination of shooting, movement and activity gives him value within One Prep's offence. Continuing to improve his consistency as a decision-maker when attacking off the dribble will make him more difficult to defend. His ability to contribute without requiring every possession to run through him is an important part of his profile.

Malakai Hills (6'8", 2027) — CTA West Black

Malakai Hills continues to establish himself as an effective interior presence for CTA West Black. Against One Prep, his 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists reflected the different ways he influenced the game. He used his size to establish position around the basket, finished second-chance opportunities and showed an ability to operate through contact. His footwork, particularly when turning into the lane, gave him options beyond simply overpowering defenders.

What stood out was his willingness to pass from the interior. Hills recognized teammates cutting around him and made productive decisions when the defence collapsed. Against WCPA Regional, he contributed on the glass and defensively, contesting shots and providing resistance around the rim. Continuing to develop his mobility and offensive consistency away from the basket will be important, but he is showing the ability to contribute through more than his physical advantages.

Elias Brana (5'9", 2028) — Summit

Elias Brana was one of the more entertaining guards to watch during Session 2. Despite being undersized against much of the competition, he repeatedly demonstrated the confidence and skill to create offensive opportunities. His 33-point performance, which included five three-pointers, highlighted his scoring ability. He showed a quick release, used changes of direction to create space and was willing to take difficult shots against taller defenders.

There is more to his game than perimeter shooting. Brana used his footwork to navigate the lane, showed creativity on scoop finishes and looked for opportunities to involve teammates. Against CTA West White, he continued to attack despite facing a significant disadvantage in size and length. At 5'9" and still in the 2028 class, learning when to challenge bigger defenders and when to move the ball will be important. His confidence, handle and offensive creativity make him an intriguing player to follow.

Matthew Meneer (6'6", 2027) — UPLAY NSS Varsity

Matthew Meneer brings an appealing combination of size and perimeter ability to UPLAY NSS Varsity. At 6'6", he has the physical tools to contribute in several areas while remaining comfortable operating away from the basket. His shooting gives defenders something to account for on the perimeter, and he has shown the ability to finish athletic plays when opportunities develop closer to the rim.

Meneer's activity away from the ball is also worth recognizing. He contributes on the glass, can cover ground in transition and has demonstrated a willingness to recover defensively rather than concede easy opportunities. The next stage of his development will involve becoming more consistent in how he uses those tools from possession to possession. His size creates opportunities, but combining that advantage with improved decision-making and sustained defensive engagement will determine how much he can influence games against stronger competition.

Sawyer McIntosh (5'11", 2027) — Calgary Academy

Sawyer McIntosh provided Calgary Academy with an important perimeter threat during Session 2, highlighted by a 26-point performance that included six three-pointers. His shooting was particularly valuable when opponents attempted to protect the paint or settle into zone coverage. McIntosh showed the confidence to take available perimeter opportunities and the ability to punish defenders who were slow to close out.

At 5'11", he will need to continue finding ways to create separation against longer and more athletic defenders. His effectiveness is not simply a matter of making shots; understanding where to relocate, recognizing defensive rotations and making quick decisions will determine how consistently he can influence games. His performance showed how much pressure an accurate perimeter shooter can place on a defence, particularly when surrounded by teammates who can attack the interior.

Gabriel Eaton (6'3", 2027) — Mountaineers Blue

Gabriel Eaton has been a consistent source of activity for Mountaineers Blue across the first two Dime Sessions. His offensive performances during Session 2 included games of 20, 14 and 20 points, but his contributions have extended beyond scoring. Earlier observations against CTA West White showed a player willing to pursue rebounds, pressure passing lanes and remain involved throughout possessions.

During Session 2, Eaton again demonstrated his ability to create opportunities through effort and anticipation. A late defensive play that produced a steal and an athletic two-handed finish reflected how quickly he can turn defence into offence. He is comfortable attacking in the open floor and brings energy to both ends. Improving his efficiency and limiting unnecessary turnovers will help him become more dependable, particularly against disciplined defensive teams. His willingness to compete and influence multiple areas of the game remains a positive.

Finn Pritchard (6'6", 2027) — CTA West Black

At 6'6", Finn Pritchard offers an interesting combination of positional size and ball-handling ability. He scored 18 points and recorded seven assists in the reconstructed box score against One Prep, attacking the lane, finding teammates on cuts and delivering passes through narrow openings. He can change pace with the ball and is comfortable initiating offence rather than simply finishing possessions.

His defensive performance against WCPA Regional was particularly notable. Pritchard repeatedly anticipated passing lanes, pressured ball-handlers and disrupted possessions before opponents could establish their offence. The working reconstruction credited him with nine steals, illustrating the level of activity he brought to that game. There are still areas to clean up offensively, particularly turnovers and occasions when he tries to create too much. His size, defensive instincts and developing playmaking ability nevertheless give him a versatile foundation.

Nyuon Pal (6'5", 2027) — Athletic Edge Academy

Nyuon Pal was one of Athletic Edge Academy's more consistent offensive contributors during Session 2, with scoring performances of 22, 16 and 17 points. The production is notable, but his size and ability to operate with the ball are what make him worth following. At 6'5", he presents a different challenge from a smaller perimeter player, with the ability to see passing opportunities and create offence from the guard position.

Pal's continued development will depend on how consistently he balances creating his own opportunities with organizing possessions for teammates. Athletic Edge had to navigate competitive matchups throughout the weekend, providing a useful test of his ability to contribute against different defensive approaches. His combination of size and offensive responsibility makes him a player to continue evaluating as the sessions progress.

Judah Wright (6'0", 2027) — One Prep

Judah Wright's contributions for One Prep were not always the type that immediately appear in a scoring summary, but his defensive activity and awareness stood out. He demonstrated good anticipation, recognized passing opportunities before they developed and was willing to apply pressure over the length of the floor. His positioning allowed him to disrupt possessions and create opportunities for his team to attack before opponents could recover defensively.

Offensively, Wright showed the ability to finish opportunities created through pressure and transition while also recognizing teammates in better scoring positions. His willingness to find open shooters rather than forcing an attempt helped maintain the flow of One Prep's offence. At 6'0", continued improvement in his perimeter scoring and half-court creation will add another dimension to his game. His defensive competitiveness and understanding of how to contribute within a team structure provide a useful foundation.

Looking Ahead

With three sessions still to come after Session 2 plus the playoff session, Dime Sessions will continue to provide opportunities to evaluate players over a longer period rather than through isolated performances.

That extended look is important. A strong weekend can establish a player's potential, but consistency against different opponents, improvement in weaker areas and the ability to contribute when the game is not going their way often provide a clearer picture of development.

For some of these players, Session 2 reinforced what they demonstrated in the opening event. For others, it offered an opportunity to establish themselves as prospects worth following more closely.

Yes the competition continues, The Maple Minute will keep tracking those developments, highlighting individual performances and looking beyond the box scores to identify the players making meaningful progress.