2018 Stock Risers

New England Recruiting Report | Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

Tomorrow we’ll begin to roll out our updated 2018 rankings and the list is bound to be much different than our last edition as first year prep products will make their debut. 

Those won’t be the only changes though as a number of juniors have managed to increase their stock in the first two months of the high school season. 

Here’s a look at some of those prospects who have made a consequent jump (presented in alphabetical order):

Byron Breland, Hillhouse (CT) – Following a fairly disappointing spring and summer, Breland has returned to Hillhouse and asserted himself as one of the top performers in the CIAC this year. That’s hardly a surprise in the greater New Haven area as he played an import role in House’s latest state championship last year as just a sophomore. 

Nadir Dixon-Thompson, Master’s (CT) – The developing big man is an intriguing prospect with a wealth of tools that all translate to the next level. Now that he’s shown the tools to put himself on the radar, the next step is putting them all together and turning them into consistent production. That’s what we’ll be watching for as winter turns to spring. 

Chris Doherty, Marlboro High School (MA) – Once one of the most dominant young forwards in New England, Doherty was nowhere to be found last spring and summer. He has re-emerged this season, putting up some huge numbers at Marlboro, albeit against competition that typically can’t come close to matching his physical tools. 

David Duke, Cushing Academy (MA) – His stock has risen more in the last few months than perhaps any other player in New England’s class of 2018. In the last week alone it was a new offer from the University of Florida followed by an unofficial visit to Providence College. He has great size, high level athleticism, and budding playmaking ability. 

Joey Luchetti, Lawrence Academy (MA) – He’s not the biggest name, nor the most physically gifted prospect, on his Lawrence Academy team, but what he may be is their most consistent producer. Luchetti has an inside-out skill set to put points on the board in various ways and the motor to maximize his physical tools. 

Tayler Mattos, Kearsarge (NH) – Similar to Doherty, Mattos doesn’t look eye-to-eye with many of the guys he lines up with on a nightly basis in the NHIAA. Nevertheless, when someone is putting up the type of numbers that he has this year, with a pair of 40-point 20-rebound games, the rest of the region starts to take notice. 

Angelo Stuart, St. George’s (RI) – Stuart has quietly put up some astounding numbers this season and started to build a name for himself in the process. Under the guidance of longtime D1 assistant coach Dwayne Pina, the junior guard is averaging nearly 30 points per game, including a 49 point explosion earlier this season. 

Dana Tate, MacDuffie School (MA) – While he may elect to go back to 2019 before it is all said and done, we’ve returned him to 2018 in accordance with his listing at MacDuffie. Even as a junior, he’s physically dominant vs. his peers, and undeniably impactful with a skill set that continues to make strides and undeniable assertiveness and aggression. 

Isaiah Williams, East Hartford (CT) – Williams started to emerge for East Hartford last year as a sophomore and has taken an even more dramatic step this year as a junior. A smooth southpaw guard, albeit an undersized one, he is a tough shot-maker who is starting to establish himself as someone who can score the ball in bunches. 

Max Zegarowski, Tilton (NH) – The consistency of his production has been undeniable and he’s done it while facing some of the most talented players and programs New England has to offer. He’s established himself as one of the premier spot-up three-point shooters in the region, especially for a forward, and also begun to diversify his scoring and overall impact.