After Week 3 of the Fall Exposure League presented by NEPA Hoops, a handful of players landed just outside of the spotlight — some of them with honorable mentions.
They might not have been the standouts, but their performances proved that they’re more than capable of breaking through.
Heading into Week 4, these five players have earned a closer look as ones to watch.
Shazier Bethea (Team Grey, CG)
After landing on the inaugural “Matt’s Top 5 to Watch,” Shazier Bethea makes his return in the Week 4 edition.
Bethea remains one of the Team Grey’s most reliable two-way options, impacting games on both ends for a team loaded with talent.
The 6’2″ guard was a key part of Team Grey’s close 73-67 win over Team Purple — adding 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
He balanced out his scoring — converting one 2 PT FG, draining one three-pointer, and getting to the line once.
In the second game of Week 3, Bethea contributed with 9 points, 2 assist, and a rebound in a 10-point win against Team Red.
Although he wasn’t on any of the leaderboards this past week, Bethea has shown in earlier weeks that he’s more than capable of breaking through.
The senior guard cracked the first scoring leaderboard in Week 1, coming in at the 12th spot at 12.5 points per game. Bethea showcased his game-changing defensive instincts in the opening week — scoring 6th on the overall defensive impact leaderboard (14 REB, STL, BLK).
Bethea also tied with teammates Xaivier Jackson and Mason Kingery at 11th for scoring in Week 2 (11.5 PPG), proving his ability to fill it up while still impacting the game as a playmaker and defender.
Whether knocking down shots or creating stops, Bethea aims to continue to impact winning at a high level for Team Grey.
Joey Gennarelli Jr. (Team Lt. Blue, PG)
While teammate Pat Flanagan earned the standout nod in Week 3, Joey Gennarelli Jr. is making a strong case to join that conversation soon.
Gennarelli led Team Light Blue to a 1-1 week, headlined by a 23-point blowout win over Team Green.
The 5’10” point guard nearly finished with a double-double in the contest — scoring 14 points while grabbing 9 rebounds. Gennarelli added 3 rebounds and a steal in the rout.
The senior from Union-Endicott (N.Y.) followed up that impressive outing by totaling 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in a tough 13-point loss to Team Yellow.
Despite being undersized at his position, Gennarelli isn’t afraid to make a play and crash the boards — evidenced by his 9th place finish on Week 3’s overall defensive impact (REB, STL, BLK) leaderboard.
With a nonstop motor and the ability to stretch the floor with timely threes, Gennarelli brings energy and reliability to Team Light Blue’s backcourt.
Each week, Gennarelli continues to prove himself as a reliable guard who adds a pivotal spark for Team Light Blue.
Sebastian Sacci (SF/PF)
Sebastian Sacci may not always be the go-to guy, but he continues to make his presence felt in the FXL.
His all-around play in Week 3 for Team Green illustrates the fact that he can be a difference maker, regardless of which team he’s playing for.
Sacci was one of the few bright spots for Team Green in their 23-point loss to Team Light Blue in Week 3.
The senior forward led his team in scoring with 16 points, connecting on two three-pointers, while adding 2 rebounds.
He followed up that performance by scoring 11 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in a tough 12-point loss for Team Green.
At 6’5″, Sacci takes advantage of his length to affect both ends of the floor.
In addition to guarding multiple positions, Sacci has the ability to get downhill in transition while stretching the floor with his three-point range.
Continue to keep an eye out for Sacci as we near the midway point of the fall exposure league.
Kyler Stevenson (Team Dark Blue, SG)
Team Dark Blue could’ve had more players earn standout recognition last week.
Kyler Stevenson is knocking on the doorstep as we enter Week 4 of the FXL.
A consistent contributor on a team that’s built strong chemistry, Stevenson powered Dark Blue to a 2-0 weekend — improving to 5-1 overall.
The 6’2″ guard dropped 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in Dark Blue’s 75-55 win over Team Red.
Stevenson had his signature performance of the league so far in the second game of Week 3. In a 85-74 win over Team Pink, he totaled 21 points and 5 rebounds, along with an assist and 2 steals.
The senior broke into Week 3’s scoring leaderboard, coming in tied for 14th at 15 points per game. He also found his name tied for 9th overall defensive impact leaderboard (REB, STL, BLK) with a score of 13.
Stevenson’s offensive game is built on balance and confidence. He blends smooth perimeter shooting with strong, purposeful drives to the basket.
Stevenson plays under control and lets the game come to him, showing off his high basketball IQ.
Add in his sharp defensive instincts and his commitment to the defensive boards, and you get a two-way guard whose stock keeps rising week after week.
CJ Thompson (Team Dark Blue, PG)
After missing Week 3, CJ Thompson returns looking to pick up where he left off in the opening weeks of the FXL.
If last weekend with Holy Cross at ESU was any indication, he’s more than ready to go — finishing above the rim with authority.
The floor general point guard made his presence felt early, controlling tempo and setting the tone on both ends for Team Dark Blue.
The 6’0” guard displayed his versatility in Week 2 with two well-rounded outings.
In a narrow overtime loss to Team Purple, Thompson was approaching triple-double watch — finishing with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal for Dark Blue.
He showed flashes of his growing perimeter game, knocking down a three-pointer, in a 21-point win over Team Green. Thompson totaled 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in the victory.
In Week 2, Thompson tied for 12th on the overall defensive impact leaderboard (REB, STL, BLK).
Across both games, the Holy Cross junior totaled 13 rebounds, steals, and blocks — flashing the toughness and vision that make him hard to guard.
If his outside shot starts to click, expect even bigger weekends ahead from Thompson.
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- Matt Mascarenhas — NEPA Hoops Reporter
MATT SPORTS MEDIA 
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