BST Hoops NE Exposure Showcase

Garet Beal took the MVP

Northeast Exposure Showcase Recap  

By BST Hoops - Seventy of the Northeast region’s top basketball prospects ascended on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH over Columbus Day weekend for the 2011 Northeast Exposure Showcase. Each prospect was looking to accomplish two goals, 1) gain regional and national exposure, 2) prove which state or city truly has the best basketball in the Northeast kingdom,……… both accomplished.  The Northeast Exposure Showcase once again proved itself as one the East regions premier showcases, providing college/prep coaches an opportunity to see kids in a workout, practice and game environment, all under, one roof.  The event was highly productive for both prospects and coaches as the majority of the kids in the event received an inquiry from either a college or prep coach.  Below is the complete event recap.

The Saturday morning schedule, consisted of the BST academy staff putting the prospects through an advanced series of team and positional drills as both college and prep coaches took it all in, evaluating kids from technique to work ethic. The prospects then attended a lunch seminar put on by Boston College Basketball Strength/Conditioning Coach, who educated the kids on the importance of proper dieting and exercise physiology and how it relates to the game of basketball.  After lunch, the prospects re-entered the gym to be put through a team practice where a defense and offense was implemented for them to utilize in their games on Sunday.  After the practice session, the day concluded with a structured scrimmage session, used to determine seeding for Sunday’s tournament.

Sunday would be a single elimination tournament format, that would determine who is holding down the Northeast region, providing college/prep coaches an opportunity to see the prospects compete in a highly competitive game environment.  The first round saw Team Maine, and Team Toronto compete in game one at 9am, Team Maine utilized their size advantage and overall solid team IQ to keep Team Toronto at bay, taking a 56-43 win, and advancing to the semi-finals. Garet Beal led the way for Maine with 22pts, Jonathan Wallace paced Toronto with 15 pts.  Game 2 of the first round, pitted two Western NNE area teams, as Vermont and Western-MA squared off,  Western-MA jumped out quick with their athletic ability but Team VT hung close using their size advantage, pounding the boards, taking a 30-28 advantage into halftime.  The second half, the two teams battled back and forth with neither gaining any major advantage, down the stretch VT utilized their size advantage claiming a 64-61 win.  Vermont’s two big’s Eric Suder and Jacob Bushee led Team VT with 15 and 12 respectively, as they secured a date in the semi-finals against Team Maine.  Team Western-MA got a great floor game from Colin Richey, who displayed a real nice feel for the game,  scoring for Western-MA was led by Riyadh Asad(10 pts) and Tyler Delorey(14 pts). Game 3 was the highly anticipated match-up between Teams Boston-Metro and NH-Seniors, the teams were pretty evenly matched, with a slight guard advantage going to NH and a slight advantage on bigs going to Boston, however both are athletic teams who like to get out and run, making for a fun game to watch.  NH got out early with their guards Ryan Gauthier, Brad Holler and Javon Williams setting the early tone, but the size of Boston’s athletic big’s Macam Bak and Elijiah Okagbare were able to keep Boston in the game, pounding the boards and causing havoc around the class with above the rim finishes.  In the end it was consistent guard play for NH that would weigh out, taking 56-53 win for Team NH-Seniors. NH was led by Brad Holler (11pts) and Javon Williams (12pts) in the win, Boston was led by Macam Bak and Roger Paul who each posted 14 pts in the lose.  In the fourth and final first round match up, Team NH-Undergrads would face Team Toronto who received a second life via their undefeated record on Saturday, replacing Team St. Johns-Canada who was unable to make the trip.    One might think a team of under-grads would really struggle in this environment, but this group of young men might be the best group of under-grads the state of NH has seen in quiet sometime, all are great kids and all are college level players, with that being said the NH-UG’s jumped out quick on Team Toronto taking an early lead behind the guard play of Ian Sistare, Eric Gendron, CJ Iozza and Carmen Giampetruzzi and the interior play of a mountain line up of 6’9 Zach Grattan, 6’7 Roger Larrivee and 6’10 Tom Nason, but when all was said and done the mature, intense play of team Toronto proved to much as team Toronto received 18 apeice from Donnovan Hastings and Jonthan Wallace to grab the “W” and move onto the semi-finals and a date with Team NH-Seniors.

The semi-finals on paper looked like great match-ups and on the floor they did not disappoint, game one saw two very fundamentally solid basketball in teams in Team Maine and Team Vermont compete. Semi-final number two pitted two of the more athletic teams against each other, as Team NH-Seniors competed against another quick, high flying team in Team Toronto.  In semi-final match up number one it was the great guard play of Team Maine’s Harry Rafferty, Tanner Hyland, Levi Barnes, Garet Beal that was the deciding difference in this one.  The big’s for both teams matched up solidly, not allowing the other to gain any major advantage, making it so the guards would have to make the difference, and that they did as Maine’s duo of Raffery and Beal proved too much for VT, combining for 36 points, 18 apeice.  Maine would advance to the championship with a 64-59 win.  Semi-final number two would turn out to be an absolute battle, as these two athletic teams would go at it for 40 minutes and then 3 more to decide this one.  At the end of 43 minutes it was Team Tronoto behind the high flying Donovan Hastings(17pts) and Jovan Leamy (15pts) that escaped with the Win and an official date with Team Maine in the Championship.  Despite the lose, Team NH-Seniors got great interior play from bigs Trevor Fahmy and Marcus Swedberg, and scoring from Logan Kesty and Kamahl Walker with 16 and 11.

The finals would be a rematch of game one of the first round, Team Toronto vs. Team Maine, or Team athletic vs. team fundamental, either way you looked at it, this would be a good one.  Being that these two teams had already faced each other, made it interesting to see what kinds of adjustments would be made.  The one adjustment that just could not be made was that of how Team Toronto was going to stop Garet Beal, despite a focus by Team Toronto to try and slow down Beal, it was just not going to happen, as Garet once again proved why he is one the top prospects in the New England class of 2013. Garet moved well off the ball finding ways to hit seems and create havoc amongst the Toronto defense, weather scoring or finding teammates Harry Rafferty and Levi Barnes for open shots.  Tanner Hyland and Rafferty took turns all game long, fighting off the constant pressure of the quick athletic Toronto guards.  In the end it was the high basketball IQ of team Maine that proved to be too much for Toronto, as Team Maine Captured the 2011 Northeast Exposure Showcase Championship 50-44.  Beal on the way to taking home tournament MVP honors finished the game with another 20pt performance, chipping in with 15 was Rafferty who proved why he is considered one of the premier guards in the New England class of 2012.  Team Toronto got another solid performance from Jovan Leamy and Donnavan Hastings who finished with 13 & 11. 

Basketbull CDC Player Landings

Basketball Art

Columbus Day Challenge Player Landings

- Quincy Mcknight is a long and lanky 6'3 guard with bouncy athleticism, a nice handle, and a terrific feel for the game.  He'll lead the break up the gut of the defense and create an easy transition scoring opportunity for a teammate or can also get out and run the lane on the break and finish noisily above the rim.  In CBC's second game on Saturday afternoon, Q-Mac rudely treated the rim like a jungle-gym.  Anxious to get a closer look, but as a skilled, long athletic guard with a chapel ceiling, this kid is an emerging real-deal prospect.

- Zavia Williams is a no-conscience, high-energy scoring guard with a wiry frame and the ability to put the ball in the hole from all over the floor.  Good speed and quickness with burst. Smooth and bouncy.  Williams shoots the three-ball, puts in in from the mid-range, and attacks the basket off the dribble at 100mph.  He is capable of putting points up in a hurry and is not shy.  Hasn't developed yet physically.

- CBC big man Jaelin Robinson was very impressive on Saturday.  He is about 6'7 with a big, hulking frame and a high-end motor.  Despite his big frame, Robinson is quite an athlete.  He runs the floor hard and will finish with a loud dunk.  He is also very active at both ends on the glass and he aggressively challenges shots in the paint.  As his skills develop and his body and game mature, Robinson could become a force.

- Will Herndon was an undersized 6'3 power forward with hops for UMass in the early 90's and captain for the Minutemen when they made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in '92, John Calipari's first appearance as a head coach in the Big Dance.  Herndon was relentless in battling bigger players and was known for his crowd-pleasing rim-rockin' finishes.  Well, this weekend, while playing for the RI Hawks 16s, 6'3 forward ZDahmond Dale '14 reminded of a left-handed Will Herndon, battling against bigger players to hold his own on the boards, playing consistently at a high altitude, and attacking the rim south-paw off the catch or alley-oop.

- Rivals freshman big man Ryan Noel is a player who improved by leaps and bounds over the summer.  He looked stronger and played with poise and confidence.  Throughout the weekend, he played an efficient game, rebounding hard on both ends, handling the ball against full-court pressure, and feeding his fellow big men for easy hoops.

- Boston Spartans freshman Elijah Small is a talented, vocal, hard-nosed guard who plays a savvy offensive game in which he uses his handle to get to the basket or get into his efficient mid-range pull-up game.  Small can shoot the three and also knows how to distribute the basketball.  He is a feisty competitor who likes a fast-paced game and will get up in your grille defensively.

-  Sultan Oleskun did a very nice job running the point for the Rivals.  Previously, we have mainly seen him play in a 'stable of guards' environment, and as an unselfish player, he was often content to play off the ball and let other talented teammates operate offensively.  Well, this weekend, Sultan showed that, when he is given the keys to the car, he is a terrific floor general who can efficiently run a fast-paced attack while also possessing the ability to score the rock from the point.

- Brian Mukasa is a change-of-pace left-handed point guard who plays with poise against pressure and makes good decisions with the basketball.  He is terrific on the secondary-break, where he looks to attack creases in the defense at an angle, occasionally getting to the hoop to finish but more often feeding a teammate spotting up on the arc or on the move towards the basket.  With his efficient, high IQ game and his calm on-court demeanor, Mukasa is a player who serves as a steadying influence on a talented team.

BST Hoops North/South Prep Game

Georges Niang took the MVP

New England North/South Preparatory Game Recap

Recap by BST Hoops - On Sunday October 9, some of New England’s top preparatory players competed in the inaugural New England North/South Preparatory game on the campus of Southern NH University in Manchester, NH.  There was a lot of hype leading up to the game, and no one was disappointed as the talented group of young men competed hard and put on a aerial display for the crowd.  Team North jumped out quick behind the Vermont Academy trio of Daquien McNeil, Dominic Woodson and Jamel Artis, taking  a 30-25 lead mid way through the first half, but Iowa State bound Georges Niang and Tabor Academy's Dimitry Coronel Combined for a strong first half effort, giving Team South the halftime lead 53-49. The second half saw more of the same as both teams opened the floor, pushed the rock wide and had great finishes at the basket. The game remained close till about mid way through the second, when Team North fell asleep for about a 3 minute stretch, at which time, Team South jumped all over it taking a commanding 22 point lead with 12 minutes left in the game.  For the next 8 minutes the two teams would trade baskets, putting up points at an extreme rate, attacking the basket for some ridiculous dunks and knocking down three’s from NBA range.  Then with 4 minutes left Team North would make a final run at it, locking down on “D” and attacking the basket on the offensive end, with 2 minutes left and stop time in effect, Team North was within striking distance with a 10 point deficit, but make no mistake South had  Niang, Sammy Cassell Jr and Andrew Chrabasz who would make sure that this one was over, Team South closed it out down the stretch on a 10-2 run, claiming a 113-98 win.  In the win, Team South was led by Cassell (21pts), Dimitry Coronel(20pts), Shaquille Jones (19pts) and game MVP Niang with 34 points.  Despite the lose, Team North got great performances from Vermont Academies Donnele Munda (18pts) Daquien Mcneil (16pts) Dominic Woodson (15pts) and Kimball Union Academy big man Jesse Chuku paced the North with a team leading 22 points.  It was  a great first year for what should become a staple in the New England Basketball community, a lot of talent, and a lot of fun.

ALL GAME TEAM:

Georges Niang(MVP)- South

Dimitry Coronel-South

Sammy Cassell Jr.-South

Andrew Chrabasz-South

Jesse Chuku-North

Dominic Woodson-North

Daquien McNeil-North

Jamel Artis-North

Columbus Day Challenge 15u Report

Chris Baldwin: Turned 15 this week

Rivals take 15u Chip at Basketbull CDC

- A dangerous new-look Rivals freshmen group played together for the first time this past weekend and came away with a 4-0 record and the 15u Chip at the Columbus Day Challenge.  The squad was led by the dominant play of Chris Baldwin, who did a lotta bit of everything in dominating the glass, scoring the ball at will around the basket, blocking shots in volume, and  handling the balling in the open floor.  Baldwin has a terrific pair of hands and this weekend, he displayed a fine-tuned motor that we hadn't seen before as he aggressively pursued rebounds and shot blocking opportunities and repeatedly attacked the basket with urgency...Playing well alongside Baldwin down-low were big men Connorr Merrinder and Ryan Noel.  On the wing, the Rivals got consistent production from the trio of Ben Judson, Tyree Weston and Ian Sistare.  And in the back-court, the combination of Sultan Oleskun and Justin Stewart ran the point while high-energy microwave-guard Zavia Williams put points on the board in bunches all weekend.

-  With an exciting 'speed-kills' back-court of Greg Bridges, Elijah Small, and Randy Glenn, the Boston Spartans gave the Rivals all they could handle for the first 16 minutes of the semi-final before their lack of size gave way to the length of the Rivals front-line in the seond half.  These three guys can really play, as can a few other no-ID Spartan guards.

- Another guy who answered role-call was Connecticut Select 6'5 forward Roy Kane, a long rugged athlete who plays above the rim with a perpetual high-speed motor.  Kane, who plays with impressive physicality in the paint for a freshman, has big-time rebounder written all over him, and as his skills catch up with his athleticism and his motor, he could be very good quickly.

Columbus Day Challenge Player Landings tommorow

Derek Mallloy drops another from CDC

2014 RI Hawks vs NE Playaz

- Derek Malloy with another highlight-video from the Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge, this chapter featuring highlights of the 16u championship game between the NE Playaz and the RI Hawks.

Columbus Day Challenge 16u Report

Playaz 16s Chip Squad

 Basketball Columbus Day Challenge 16u Report

- After playing with only five bodies down at Hoop Group, the New England Playaz landed on Planet Basketbull with three valuable reinforcements in Aaron Falzon, Jashanti Allen, and Brian Mukasa to go along with Jeff Spellman, Kahari Beaufort, Colin McManus, Djery Baptiste, and Jacquil Taylor.  With the ability to rotate players in and out of the ballgame in a traditional manner, Coach Don Spellman, along with Dan Salazar, guided the club to a 4-0 weekend record and the Columbus Day Challenge 16u Chip...Aaron Falzon came in and immediately stepped in as the Quarterback  of the Playaz front-line, vocally initiating the pick and roll game with Spellman and Beaufort and the high-low game with Jacquil Taylor.  (Kid must have had an outstanding middle school coach.)  In addition to facilitating and directing traffic all over the floor, Falzon scored the ball from the post, knocked down trey-balls to extend the defense, and was terrific rebounding the ball defensively and quickly starting the break with a crisp outlet...Brian Mukasa made his Playaz debut and promptly announced himself on the scene as high-IQ left-handed lead guard who brings a steadying-influence to a talented squad.  Look for Mukasa in the Columbus Day Challenge Player Landings...Jashanti Allen strongly showed as a compact, spark-plug freshman point guard who uses his speed, quickness, and body to make plays of all sorts in between the charity stripes.  Allen looks to push the rock off the make of the miss to get his team high-percentage transition scoring opportunities and he also has the makings of a serious pest as an on-ball defender.

- Last weekend, the RI Hawks 16s had folks talking as they battled the BABC 16s down to the final minutes at the Middlesex Magic Fall Classic at Babson.  This weekend, they encored with another impressive performance, reeling off three straight wins to advance to the championship game, where they played their tails off before eventually dropping a close one to the Playaz. The three-guard attack of Jackson Donahue, Kealan Ives, and Henry Bolton was effective in scoring the ball consistently and dictating the flow of the game.  The trio shared the baton all weekend long, deftly taking turns behind the controls of the Hawk Helicopter.  With these 3 guards alongside Edson Dascy Brandon Eckles, Jerrelle Washington, and rim-rocker Zdahmond Dale, this squad is poised to make a ton of noise in 2012.

- Another 16u club which people were talking about was the Basketbull squad coached by Greg Lyons.  They won their first two games on Saturday before falling to the fore-mentioned RI Hawks in the semifinals on Sunday to finish the weekend at 2-1.  Impressing for Basketbull were David Murrell, Justin Crosby, Nelson Zayaz, and Joe Crapps.  This is an up and coming team with players to watch.

Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge

Terry Tarpey: Cult-Ballplayer

 Columbus Day Challenge 17u Report

- Kuran Iverson made his New England Playaz debut this weekend and his presence paid immediate dividends as the Playaz went 5-0 for the event to take home the 17u Chip.  There is no question that KI has an all-world combination of body and physical ability, and when he plays with good energy, as he did on Sunday, he makes plays all over the floor and takes enormous pressure off his teammates. In the long run, Iverson has no ceiling and can take his game to as high a level as he so chooses.  That being said, Kuran has a ton of work ahead of him as he embarks on the process of reaching his full potential.  Although he has terrific natural ball-handling ability, Iverson needs to work on handling the rock with the tips of his fingers and keeping his dribble down below waist-level so that he can play less erect and thus, more effectively explode out of his moves.  His shooting stroke is nice and smooth, he just needs some mechanical work and high-volume repitition. If KI can learn to work on his game with the energy that he displayed on Sunday, he will be in business in a major way...Adrian Oliveira had a nice weekend...AO is a scoring guard and when he aggressively looks for his offense, good things happen.  On Saturday and Sunday, he did a nice job of coming off ball screens to get into his sweet mid-range pull-up game and also finished consistently in transition, where he excels in going up on one side of the basket, using the rim for protection, and then filling on the opposite side with the spin back reverse lay-up...Word on the block is that Aaron Calixte is blowing up on the gridiron this fall as a high-major football prospect.  He also showed well on the hardwood this weekend as he ran the show effectively for the Playaz with his steady game and play-making ability.  Naturally a scoring guard, in recent months, Calixte has taken tremendous strides in transitioning to a true floor general...In addition for the Playaz, Jarred Reuter was his typical oak-tree self in the middle, Cane Broome scored the ball consistently from the back-court, and John Powell put pressure on the opposing front-line by continuously sprinting the floor, crashing the offensive glass, and playing above the rim....The addition of Iverson is quite intriguing as we look towards 2012.  With KI in the mix, the Playaz roster is highly-flammable and with a few other pieces, this club could be a serious Adidas contender come next year. 

- The Harlem Renaissance ball-club was very impressive this weekend, winning their first four games to advance to the final before falling to the New England Playaz in a close championship contest.  The Rens featured three players with New England ties in Terry Tarpey, SkylEr White, and Jashanti Allen.  The William & Mary-bound Tarpey was the weekend's best player, dropping 33 in the Rens semifinal victory over the Rivals amongst other exploits.  At 6'2 with a strong body, Double-T is awesome in transition, where he unassumingly but ferociously attacks the rim like Bob Sura or uses his savvy court vision to get a teammate an easy bucket.  The game is nice and slow for Tarpey, who is never in a rush yet always seems to be in the right place or make the right decision at the right time....Skyler White proved that his breakout performance at Hoop Group a few weeks back was no fluke, playing off of Tarpey and wing Thaddeous Hall to score the ball in bushels.  White can flat-out fill it up with range and volume...Jashanti Allen has impressed previously as a talented freshman point guard with a bright future, but this weekend, Allen showed that the future is now as he effectively translated his game to a higher level of play. 

-Although they were unable to play in the Gold Bracket on Sunday due to previous player obligations, the Connecticut Basketball Club began the post-Dunn-Drummond Era on Saturday by going 2-0 in games against the NJ Gym Ratz and the Bay State Flash.  With no Kahlil Dukes or Bernard Brantley in attendance, CBC's new-look 17s played with a young group of impressive long athletes.  Levy Gillespie, Jared Wilson-Frame, and Sean Obi stood out as guys who are ready to get their wagons on the mid to high-major recruiting trails...  Jaelin Robinson and Quincy McKnight announced themselves "In" on the scholarship hunt with bust-out performances on a busy stage.  Look for these guys in the HoopRootz Columbus Day Challenge Player Landings feature later this week...In addition for CBC, Obi Momah and Jaquan Harrison impressed as athletic young big men prospects with great basketball bodies and lots of potential.

- Playing with a new-look roster of freshmen and sophomores, the Rivals coasted in their first three games before losing in the Gold Bracket semis by about 15 to a veteran Harlem Renaissance club featuring two terrific '12 players in Terry Tarpey and Thaddeous Hall combined with an NMH pair of Skyler White and Jashanti Allen that played very well...Noah Vonleh didn't have his best weekend offensively, but was his usual self rebounding the ball and blocking shots...Jalen Adams did not disappoint, displaying his fluidity, burst, and elite athleticism at the point guard spot all weekend long.  He had a few highlight reel dunks and is one of those players who is a perpetual threat of the spectacular.  Still only 15, he has a chance to be very good...After their first game on Saturday, there was talk that Mike Auger might be facing charges for multiple counts of assault and battery on the Court Two rims, as he ran the floor for dunk after dunk with his diesel 6'5 frame and deceptive 6'9 wing-span...Speaking of wing-spans, Jeremy Miller '15 has a 7'3 bird-stretch..He shot the heck out of the ball from three-point-land all weekend.  Although he is mountains away from reaching his potential as a prospect, Miller's game already translates at a high-level as a player who can rebound and contest shots on the defensive end while taking opposing centers out away from the basket on the offensive end...Several college coaches have left the gym at Cushing Academy this fall saying that Kaleb Joseph reminded them of Ed Cota.  And although he's not Easy EC just yet, Joseph was again impressive this weekend as he carved up defenders on the slashing dribble attack to get into the lane at will and create for a teammate or finish up over the front of the rim.  KJ is at his best on the left to right change of direction, where he plants and pushes off the left foot to explode back right, gaining an enormous first-step distance off the change of direction with his long stride.  To capitalize on this explosive left-to-right action, Kaleb will look to develop the ability to play a south-paw back-court game.  What was especially apparent this weekend was how much better Kaleb looked playing with contacts instead of the Kenneth Cole frames.  Without that slight twinge of hesitancy, he looked much more comfortable in his own skin as an attacking guard.

Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge

KI suited up for Playaz at Columbus Day Challenge

Kuran Iverson joins NE Playaz

- The Columbus Day Challenge took place this weekend down in Connecticut and the action & atmosphere were per usual on Planet Basketbull.  Over the next few days, we'll take an in-depth, division-by-division look at what transpired between the lines.  We'll start tonight with a simple Chip Report and a New England Playaz highlight-video dropped tonight by the young-gun Derek Malloy.

17u Chip - New England Playaz

16u Chip - New England Playaz

15u Chip - Mass Rivals

14u Chip - Team Scan

Derek Malloy again makin' noise on the circuit

Columbus Day Challenge Preview #4

The Odyssey Continues for Kahlil Dukes

CBC 17s

- Tomorrow officially marks the beginning of the Post-Andre Drummond/Kris Dunn/Ethan O'Day/Timajh Parker-Rivera Era for CBC, and while this certainly was a once-in-a-lifetime group, there is plenty of talent still remaining in the CBC well.  Here's a look at what they return: Sean Obi '13, Jaquan Harrison '13, and Jaelin Robinson '14, and Obi Momah '14 down low - Jared Wilson-Frame '14 and Quincy McKnight '14 on the wings - and a stable of talented guards with Kahlil Dukes '13, Levy Gillespie '14, Bernard Brantley '13, and Winston Morgan '14.  We'll see what this CBC squad looks like tomorrow at Conn College.  A couple of these guys are poised to take off as prospects.

BST Hoops Columbus Events

Columbus Day Weekend Double Trouble 

- The Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge is not the only hoops event in New England which will be attracting top talent this weekend.  Also taking taking place up at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH will be two hoops events hosted by BST Hoops: the Northeast Exposure Showcase will take place on both days this weekend while the New England North/South Prep Game is slated for Sunday at 1pm.  The event rosters released by BST are laden with college basketball prospects: the Showcase with up and comers and the Prep Game with more established recruits such as Goodluck Okonoboh, Georges Niang, Sam Cassell Jr, Clyde Smith, Cedric Kuakumensah, Andrew Chrabascz, Dominique Bull, Daquan McNeil, Jamel Artis, Dominic Woodson, Donelle Munda, and Jesse Chuku.

Unfortunately, the Spaceship is not equipped to be able to be in two places at the same time, but never-the-less, the tobaggon guns will be firing on all cylinders this weekend as we keep you updated on the action taking placing at both Connecticut College and SNU.

Columbus Day Challenge Preview #3

Henry Bolton breakout watch

Hawks set to invade CT from the East

- After going 4-0 and winning the co-championship at the Hoop Group Fall Jamfest in New Jersey a few weeks back, the RI Hawks Juniors will head to New London this weekend to get after it at the Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge.  As is often the case in the fall, this weekend's roster will look a lot different from the Hawks's Hoop Group Roster as Choate combo guard Peter Weston and the NMH trio of Skylar White, Anthony Dallier, and Sam Donahue are all out this weekend. In Connecticut, the Hawks 17s will feature a small-ball roster of guards Henry Bolton '14 of St Andrews, Max Motroni '13 of Milton Academy, Tom Hunt '14 of LaSalle HS (RI), Jared Thompson '13 of LaSalle HS (RI), Jovell Beckford '13 of Mt Pleasant HS (RI), Nick Cesare '12 of St Andrews, Evan Hopson '13 of Johnston HS (RI), and Josh McCourt '12 of LaSalle HS (RI), playing alongside forwards Ben Engvall '13 of Barrington HS (RI), Tom Rivard '13 of Worcester Academy, and Jake DeDomenico '13 of North Providence HS (RI).  The Stage is set.

Columbus Day Challenge Preview #2

Aaron Falzon set to kick off big year

Playaz 16s stackin' up

- Despite only having five healthy bodies, the New England Playaz 16s were very impressive down at the Hoop Group Fall Jamfest in New Jersey a few weeks ago, where they ran off four straight wins before falling in a championship nail-biter to a tough DC Assault ball-club.  Down in Jersey, the Playaz quintet was comprised of Jeff Spellman, Kahari Beaufort, Jacquil Taylor, Djery Baptiste, and Colin McManus, with an injured Malcolm Martin on the bench.  This weekend, Head Coach Don Spellman will have a few new pieces to add to the mix, which should add a heavy dose of spice into the stew.  The addition of St Marks 6'7 freshman  forward Aaron Falzon instantly makes the club more dangerous by dramatically improving the versatility of the front line.  Falzon is in terrific shape and he has gotten much stronger over the last five months.  Being a freshman in high school who just turned 15 a few months ago, it is still very early in the process for him, but even so, look for him to emerge in a big way sooner or later, the hypothesis being that with cats 6'6 and taller, the primary of year of physical development seems to occur in the 500 days between the ages of 15 and 16.5.  When Falzon is through this part of the forest, we will know a lot more in terms of what type of school would be good fit, but at this he certainly is a young player withs the potential to play high major college basketball.  The other Playaz addition this weekend is another freshman ballplayer who should come in and immediately make the club better by improving the versatility of the Playaz back-court. Jashanti Allen from NMH is a jet engine point guard who slices up the defense by exploiting angles and attacking space with urgency.  He was very impressive playing alongside Jarred Reuter when we saw him at the New England Recruiting Report's Elite 75 Showcase in September.  Allen is very fast with the basketball and looks to push it up the floor off the make or the miss.  He implores his teammates to run along with him, and then rewards them by using his advanced court-vision to feed his farm for consistent scoring opportunities.  At Hoop Group, Spellman and Beaufort each handled a portion of the ball-handling responsibilities, but with Jashanti Allen in the fold, both Spellman and Beaufort will be set loose to hunt.  Look for a first-five of Allen, Spellman, Beaufort, Falzon, and Taylor, with a bench of Baptiste, McManus, and perhaps Martin and/or a wildcard(s).  The Playaz are the pick to take the 16u chip and as things are shaping up, this could be one of several major 16u New England squads in 2012.

Maryland offers Kaleb Joseph

Kaleb stays red-hot

- Maryland Head Coach Mark Turgeon visited Cushing Academy this week to watch '14 guard Kaleb Joseph work out.  Apparently, he was impressed, because following his visit, Coach Turgeon offered KJ a scholarship.  Maryland joins Boston College and Tennessee as the high major schools to offer Joseph a boat-ride on the Swan Lake.

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Columbus Day Weekend Preview #1

Jalen Adams Explosion Watch

Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge

- It's usually on a Thursday night that a 'buzz' begins to circulate about a weekend hoops event.  Tonight, the buzz is on full blast, because this weekend, the Basketbull Columbus Day Challenge, the premier fall tournament in New England  will take place at Conn College in New London, Connecticut.   It should be an exciting weekend.  Over the next 27 hours, we'll preview numerous NE squads set to participate.

View Tournament Schedule

Rivals Re-Load

- This past July was the Rivals swan song for guys like Zach Auguste, Cedric Kuakumensah, Steve Haladyna, Ryan Hartung, and Jamie Holder; therefore, heading into the fall, Vinny Pastore was faced with the artistic task of creating a new mural around returning players Noah Vonleh and Dimitri Floras.  It looks like he may have painted a potential masterpiece as Pastore is set to roll out a roster this weekend which is loaded up like a birthday pinata.  Pastore revealed the first new puzzle piece two weeks ago as Cushing Academy '14 combo guard Kaleb Joseph made his Rivals debut in New Jersey at the Hoop Group Fall Jamfest.  If you see KJ down in Connecticut this weekend, be careful, he is scalding hot having received offers in the past few weeks from the likes of Tennessee, Maryland, Boston College, and more.

More New Additions

Melrose HS 2014 6'2 combo guard Jalen Adams is not going to be a secret much longer.  He is still only 15 years old, but his Steve Francis-style talent is through-the-roof.  Has a ton of ability with the ball, glides out on the floor with elite speed and he effortlessly changes direction to separate.  But what has everyone talking is the way Adams rises up vertically and attacks the rim off the dribble drive.

Patrick Benzan's game translates highest as a rock-steady facilitating point guard who makes his teammates better.  Playing on this roster, Benzan will get the opportunity to play his game at the highest level.

The best 8th grader in New England this past spring and summer was Springfield's Chris Baldwin, a '15 highly-skilled 6'7 forward with long arms, athleticism, length, and IQ.  He screams high-major potential.

Idris Taqqee '14 is an "athletic guard" from Cushing Academy who we will be getting our first look at this weekend. 

Another skilled 2015 big man with high-major potential is 6'9 New Hampton forward Jeremy Miller, a long & lean, card-carrying member of the 7-foot wing-span club who has nimble feet, soft hands, and terrific defensive instincts. 

Along with Vonleh, Floras, and the five new Rivals, Vin Pastore will moved up three players, New Hampton 6'5 forward Mike Auger '14, Worcester Academy 6'9 big man Matt Cimino '14, and Dover High School's (NH) 6'6 wing Mike Leblanc '13.

Next up - New England Playaz 16s

 

Jakarr Sampson: Back in the mix

Akron's own Jakarr Sampson

Brewster's Roster star-studded

- With the season fast approaching, the Spaceship is re-acquainting itself with a big-time ballplayer in Jakarr Sampson.  Let's take a peek at a highlight video of Jakarr dropped by the Crusader22 earlier this year.

Middlesex Magic FC Report: Part IV

Thorpedo looks to be on a mission

Middlesex Magic Player Report

- Kyle Reardon looked like he has taken another developmental step since we saw him last at the Basketbull Hall of Fame National Invitational in early July.  On Saturday, he knocked down a pocket-full of trey balls, displayed an improved handle, attacked the basket efficiently from the wing, and also really broke out in terms of showing his ability as a distributor of the basketball.  When you combine his evolving game with his innate basketball IQ, his leadership qualities, and his toughness, Reardon looks to be in good shape as a prospect.

- Mike Thorpe has added 7-10 lbs of muscle to his frame since the beginning of the summer and it has made a major impact on his game.  Thorpe has always been cat-quick with a great first-step, but in the past, this speed was often neutralized by a defender bumping him off his move to the basket. But this weekend, with his new frame, instead of getting derailed, Thorpe was bouncing off the same contact and continuing his move towards the basket.  His new-found strength has also taken Thorpe's explosiveness to the next level.  According to Middlesex Magic head coach Mike Crotty, "Michael's first step and burst left defenders in the dust all weekend long.  He finished multiple times high above the rim with dunks, and he tracked down, and pinned multiple shots above the rim on defense."  With the physical gains he has made, Thorpe is at the top of his game at the right time. 

- Tykei Hallman is a real pogo-stick artist who played above the rim all weekend, throwing down a number of louds bangs and challenging shots at their acme.  The combination of Hallman and Jake Layman at the forward spots makes King Philip a Mass D2 favorite.

-  What really stood out about Peter Miller this weekend was the way he was running the floor and challenging shots.  He also looks stronger and is playing with more physicality in the lane.  Big year of development in progress for Miller at Northfield Mt Hermon.

- Also impressive for the Magic were big man Andrew Baron '13 and guard Mickey Adams '13.  Baron is a lunch-pail big who rebounds the ball hard and plays a jump-hook game in the post.  Adams is a high IQ guard who fills it up from long range and consistently makes efficient decisions with the basketball.

Middlesex Magic FC Report - Part 3

Unstoppable on Saturday

Middlesex Magic Fall Classic Report: Part  III  

- The BABC Juniors played two games on the weekend, sweeping back-to-back Saturday afternoon games at Babson against Team Lox and then the North Shore Knights.  The squad on this day featured a quintet of juniors in Jaylen Brantley, Andrew Chrabascz, Kamari Robinson, Kamali Bey, and L'Quan Arnum, as well as some of the younger guys playing spot minutes off the bench.  In addition to Brantley, who was featured Sunday night, BABC was led by the play of Chrabascz, who looked strong and explosive in dominating the paint all afternoon.  There was no one on either opposition who could really bother Chrabascz, and therefore, AC went off in an unforgiving way.

- The match-up between the sophomores of BABC and those ofthe RI Hawks on Saturday afternoon turned out to be the ballgame of the weekend in the 16u division.  The Hawks hung with the defending national champs for the first seven-eighths of the contest before BABC pulled away in the final four minutes to win by a dozen or so.  Yesterday, we profiled BABC...here's who impressed for the Hawks.

- Kealan Ives looked good running the show for the Hawks.  He did a nice job of handling the basketball against pressure and pushing it down the floor to get good transition scoring opportunities for his athletic, lane-fillin' teammates.  Ives also showed the ability to hit up the ATM from the point as he led the scoring for the Hawks with 19 points on five threes.

- At 6'6-6'7, Brandon Eckles was the only legitimate big man for the Hawks and he was quite impressive as a one-man-gang battling the rugged, hard-chargin' BABC front-line in the paint.  Eckles plays physically with his big, wide-body frame and he has good motor, a soft touch, and a high basketball IQ.  Interested to get a look at Eckles playing alongside some other bigs.

-  Henry Bolton is a 6'2 rocket with a big-time first step who shows flashes of electric athleticism and play-making ability.  As his skills catch up with his physical package, Bolton could emerge as a dangerous back-court threat.

- Also impressive for the Hawks were 6'4 small forward Edson Dascy and 6'1 guard Jerelle Washington.  Dascy is a wiry athlete who runs the floor, rebounds and defends.  He goes all out and as he learns the game and embraces the fundamentals, he is going to be a valuable player.  Washington is a strong left-handed guard who handles the ball and does a nice job of choosing his spots to attack the basket on the slash.  He went for an efficient 14.

Middlesex Magic Fall Classic Report: Part IV coming tomorrow.

10/3 College Commitments

Huge coup for the Tufts Jumbos

October 3rd NE Commitments Recap

- Power forward Timajh Parker-Rivera of St Joseph's HS (CT) and CBC pledged to Towson, adding to very impressive 2012 recruiting class for Head Coach Pat Skerry.

- Last night, the BYU coaching staff paid a visit to the home of Cooper Ainge in Wellesley.  While they were there, Cooper committed.

- St John's Prep and Mass Rivals wing Steve Haladyna committed to Tufts, choosing the prestigious academic institution over the NE-10.

Cooper Ainge commits to BYU

BYU-Bound

Cooper Ainge REDUX

- Only minutes after he was featured on the Spaceship, a text message was received from Middlesex Magic Director and Head Coach Mike Crotty saying that Cooper Ainge committed to BYU tonight while the coaching staff visited him at his house.  Exciting news for all parties involved as Cooper will head to his Father's alma mater to continue the Ainge-tradition at Brigham Young.

October Notebook + MMFC Part 2

Cooper Ainge went off for 30 on Saturday night at Babson

 Middlesex Magic Fall Classic Part II

- The Brothers Cooper and Crew Ainge had folks talking this weekend at Babson.  Cooper Ainge '12 has always been able to play, but now that he has stretched out a little and gotten noticeably faster and stronger, he has become significantly more dangerous on the court.  On Saturday night, playing for his Wellesley HS team in the 18u division, Cooper dropped a business-like 30 (8 treys) on his Middlesex Magic teammates. (Middlesex Magic won by 20 or so) When he wasn't reigning treys, Cooper was blowing by defenders to break down the defense to create scoring opportunitis for his Raider mates.  It was apparent that Cooper has taken his game to a new level and the crystal ball says this trend of ascension will continue...Meanwhile, playing for the Middlesex Magic sophomores in the 16u final against BABC, Crew Ainge '14 arrived on the scene with a no-conscience, free-wheeling, gun-slinging performance in which he showed no hesiatation in attacking the seasoned BABC pressure defense with the dribble and showing off his vision while creating for a teammate or pulling up off the squeeze for a Jason Williams-like quick release long ball.  He made a handful of 'em against the Black and Gold and also attacked the basket and finished athletically on the secondary break. Still a pup physically, Crew is a backcourt player with a lot of potential.  It should be exciting to watch the Ainge brothers on the court together for Wellesley which will contend for a state title this winter.  Part's III & IV tomorrow.

Notebook
- After it was reported by numerous sources earlier today, St Marks '12 shooting guard Eric Green this evening announced via Twitter his commitment to Holy Cross.

- According to a tweet from Brewster Academy Head Coach Jason Smith, UCONN and Pittsburgh are getting in on the recruitment of Jakarr Sampson. 

- In an interview with Paul Seaver of The Arena Pulse, Cushing Academy and BABC 2013 forward Andrew Crabascz listed offers from "Western Kentucky, Vermont, Delaware, UMass, St. Bonaventure, Towson, Lehigh, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville, Canisius, Fordham, and Penn."

- According to multiple media reports, Brewster Academy small forward TJ Warren has cut Kentucky from his list and now has a Final 4 of North Carolina State. North Carolina, Florida, and Georgetown.

- According to a tweet from Adam Finkelstein, tomorrow, Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo will visit Vermont Academy 2013 power forward Dominic Woodson.

Middlesex Magic Fall Classic: Part I

Damion Smith: Gridiron Explosion

BABC Sophomores win 16u Division

- The Middlesex Magic Fall Classic took place this past weekend at Babson College and surrounding locations, and the Spaceship was on hand in the main gymnasium at the Webster Center to take in a nice chunk of the action.  The full report will be released in several installments over the course of tonight and tomorrow.

- Two months ago, the BABC Freshmen wrapped up an unforgettable July in which they won the National Championship in Little Rock and took the Silver at the Super Showcase in Orlando.  This weekend, Eggie Mcrae's squad, (although short-handed without Wayne Selden, Bobby Ahearn, and Marcel Pettway) took back to the court for the first time as the BABC sophomores.  With their talented players and their fundamental, physical style of play, BABC impressed in going 3-0 and winning the sophomore chip.  Here's the report.

BABC Veterans
- Jonathan Joseph '15 was highly impressive running the point for the BABC sophomores.  He has elite quickness, a tight playground handle, mature court vision, and a crowd-pleasing stop and go pull-back game which keeps defenders gussing and off-balance.  But what's more impressive about JJ is his fighter-pilot decision making and his ability to facilitate the offensive flow of a high level team.  As he extends his range and becomes more consistent with his good looking stroke, Joseph will only become more dangerous at his craft of running a big time club  Putnam Science is really going to have a talented and entertaining double-point guard back-court with Joseph and New York City point guard Scoochie Smith, a la the '96 Suns with Kevin Johnson, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash on the same roster next to Rex Chapman, Hot Rod Williams, and Dan Majerle.

- Tyree Robinson '15 is just a nasty competitor.  He glares at opponents with every brush of a shoulder and will contentiously contend for each inch of space out on the floor with a bump or a bang or a box.  He spent the weekend rebounding the heck out of the ball and attacking the rim with a vengeance for one roof-raising dunk after another.  Ty-Ro stands about 6'5, but his long-loping arms got to give him a wingspan of at-least 6'8 or 6'9 if not longer.  Combine this length with his strength, athleticism, and his attitude, and Robinson is a high-level energy player with the potential to develop perimeter skills and become a legitimate high-level combo-forward.

- Bonzie Colson is an old-school post player and rebounder from the Georges Niang school of efficiency.  He scored the ball around the basket all weekend and also displayed his emerging athleticism with a loud one-hand rock back dunk off the put-back.  By this time next year, Colson will be a household NE grassroots hoops name.

- Curtis Cobb has gotten stronger, faster, and more explosive.  He is a pure scorer who deposits the rock consistently with his long-range stroke and his slashing attacks to the cup, often in transition, where he likes to glide in and finish over the front of the rim.  Look for him to mold his new physical abilities with his barnstorming offnsive game and emerge on the scholarship hunt this year.

- Damion Smith arrived in Boston from Indiana on Saturday night and played for BABC in the final on Sunday.  Smith checked in with a breakout first half, throwing up 15 points on 7-8 shooting while also sweeping up a pile of steals, rebounds, dimes, and hockey assists.  He is just such a smooth, efficient athlete who puts enormous pressure on a defense with his sprinter's speed and ability to catch and finish in a heartbeat.  His presence on the floor dramatically intensified the potency of the BABC attack.  The biggest problem with Smith as a basketball player is that basketball probably is not his best sport.  Smith has blown up  on the Indiana prep gridiron this fall and the radars of Big Ten football programs are already zeroing in.  When it's all said and done, Smith will be one of the most highly recruited safeties in the country in the class of 2014.

  

- With his monster 6'8 frame and his athleticism, coordination, nimble feet, and long arms, Gerard Adams would be an outstanding candidate if there was ever an academy for prospective NFL left-tackles.  But make no mistake, Adams can play ball.  He eats up space in the paint and plays a role in a high percentage of rebounds.  He also challenges shots, finishes around the basket, and wears down the opposing front lines in a major way.  As his conditioning improves and he grows into his body, it will be interesting to see what type of player Adams becomes in the long run.

BABC Newcomers
- Tyler Nelson can absolutely stroke it and he will get plenty of looks at the basket on this club.  He is a high-IQ sniper and facilitator who enhances the versatility of a ball-club.  Still a pup physically, long way to go in terms of the development of his body.

- Al Skinner made his return to the sidelines as Eggie Mcrae's assistant and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself working with guys at the beginning of their basketball journies.  After being in Skinner's vicinity for a several hours and hearing him conversate a bit, one thing was apparent.  Coach Skinner loves talking and teaching the game of basketball.  I came away highly intrigued by his unique perspective.

Cedric Kuakumensah to Brown

Ivy League Bound

Kuakemensah commits to Brown after weekend visit

- Without a doubt, Brown recruited St Andrews and Mass Rivals 6'8 PF Cedric Kuakumensah the hardest this summer on the road out in Vegas and Los Angeles.  In Vegas, it was Brown assistant coach TJ Sorrentine trailing Kuaku while head coach Jesse Agel took the baton when the Rivals hit LA.  This weekend, Cedric took his official visit to Brown, and apparently it went well, because earlier tonight, Kuakumensah announced via his Facebook page that he has committed to Brown, where he should an outstanding Ivy League performer.  Congrats to Brown and to Cedric on the match.