2026 NE Frosh/Soph #E75 - Best of the North Guards pt. 1

Monday, September 21st, 2026

The guards are always the largest group we see at the Frosh/Soph Elite 75 on an annual basis. To break things down, we will be doing a multitude of parts from both the North & South editions of the event. Here's part one.


Luke OConnell, New Hampton: O'Connell was another consistent piece for the Mass Rivals 3SSB team that made a run to the championship game in Rock Hill this past July. He's really gotten better with time and is a tough cover with his ability to snipe long shots from outside, while improving his handling off the catch to create space and keep defenders guessing. O'Connell's a high-powered scorer who will continue to get better. Joining New Hampton in 2029, he has a chance to really make noise in AAA.    


Alex Weaver, Tilton School: Weaver's embarking on a new chapter of his career this fall heading north to the Tilton School and leaving behind a legacy at Connecticut's Windsor High School. The 2029 point guard dictates the tempo of a game with his ability to run the offense, make passes and get things rolling offensively. He's got a great first step to blow past defenders along with a tight handle and thrives on scoring in the mid-range and in the lane. Will be expected to step right in this year and make a big impact in AA.    


Josiah Bates, Worcester Academy: Bates put on an electric showing at the north edition of the Frosh/Soph Elite 75 and looks to be much improved heading into the year at Worcester Academy. The 6'1" guard has made some noise in the MIAA already, but his ability to score the ball handily at multiple levels the other night was truly impressive. He's really tightened up his handle which opens up the floor, while he was a menace on drives and stepped into threes as well. Worth monitoring as he joins Class AA in his home city as a sophomore this season.    


Teddy ONeill, Tabor Academy: O'Neill once again put on a very good showing at the Frosh/Soph event this year, after really putting his name out there last year while he was at Swampscott HS. Now at Tabor, O'Neill can be expected to have a big role for the Seawolves as he's extremely crafty and skilled with the ball. He put on a scoring clinic with his crafty touch off the glass while making outside shots, and continuing to work on developing as an athlete.    


Ja Bennett, St Sebastian: Now joining the class of 2029, Bennett's recently made a nice leap in his game and is primed for a big season at St. Seb's. The sophomore point guard was showing off his ability to pass throughout his outing as he snapped passes through tight windows and faked defenders out before dropping off passes. He's quick and skilled off the dribble and has notable upside as he continues to improve.    


Tighe Arache, St. Paul's: Arache continues to grow into his frame while being extremely efficient and impactful as he heads into his second year at St. Paul's. The guard does not let himself get sped up by defenders, consistently making the right reads to score it himself at different levels or create for others. He's primed for a really big year this season in Class A and will be expected to play a crucial role for his team.    


Jojo Holland, Central HS: Holland has a lot of upside out of the Providence area as a rising freshman point guard at Central HS. He's got a great early ability to score it on the move in the paint with moves and footwork to get to the basket at will. He showed off his tight handle the other night and how he can run the show at the point, and certainly is worth monitoring as he gets older.    


Kleyton Depina, Notre Dame NY: Depina heads to Elmira New York this season to join the newly formed Notre Dame Prep program under James Cray. He showed off his strong blend of positional size and ballhandling as a big guard throughout the night as he was able to attack the lane and score it in a variety of ways. He has upside to keep track of as he moves to Upstate NY this season.    


Jake Stanger, Milton Academy: Stanger is poised for a larger role as he heads into his sophomore season at Milton Academy. He's proven that he can play at a high level with the backcourt size and toughness he brings to the floor which allow him to really defend and rebound the ball. His scoring arsenal comes with versatility too as he can make outside shots and get in the paint.    


Aidan Landers, Austin Prep: Landers has great feel at an early age as he joins Austin Prep this season in the class of 2030. He can put the ball on the floor and score it at different levels, while also making the right passes within the flow of the offense. His ability to play through contact and be tough will allow him to succeed early and be one to watch as he develops.    


Colin McLaughlin, Milton Academy: McLaughlin is next up in the talented basketball family as a sophomore at Milton Academy this season. He's an efficient scoring guard who thrives at making shots from beyond the arc, but can get his looks on his own, attacking off the bounce and rising into jumpers. Coaches son who knows how to read the floor to make the right plays and is in a great spot to continue to develop at Milton.    


Jonathan Odih, LaSalle Academy: It was easy to see that Jonathan is the younger brother of Fordham sophomore Kelvin Odih just with how similar they resemble each other, but there is a lot to like about the incoming freshman as of now. He plays like a true point guard with a tight handle on it who can create for himself and others. He showed some toughness getting to the basket, and stopping on a dime to rise into middy's. Have him on your radar as he enters his freshman year.    


Cash Langford, Saint John’s: The Langford family of basketball players has become synonymous with the city of Worcester, and Cash is the youngest of the brothers. With solid size to his frame as an incoming sophomore, he has a great blend of handling and the ability to score around the basket. He can make threes, is continuing to channel his athleticism, and has upside to be a very impactful MIAA 2029 this upcoming season.    


Justin McNamara, Thayer Academy: McNamara has a lot of size in the backcourt as a guard who can go out there and cover players at different sizes and positions on defense. He's around 6'5" and thrives in transition and off cuts to effectively score at the rim and finish with toughness through contact. He will continue to be integral for Thayer this season as he continues to improve as a sophomore.    


Clervens Peltrop, Dexter Southfield: Peltrop has a really skilled game as a 6'4" guard who has a chance to be a very nice addition to Dexter this upcoming season. He was all over the place at Frosh/Soph showing off his ability to attack the basket and finish around the defense with the touch he has. He consistently plays hard with athleticism and backcourt size and can really defend with high energy.    


Brycen McDonald, Mashpee High: McDonald is a freshman to keep an eye out for out of Cape Cod, standing at 6'3" already as well. He's a strong set shooter from outside who seemingly has a lot of room to continue to develop in that aspect of his game as well. McDonald has touch in the lane and moves to get to the basket at will, and has a chance to be an impact MIAA freshman this season.    


Ish Odugbela, St. Andrew's: Odugbela won player of the year in the SENEISAA for the varsity team at St. Andrew's and continues to improve. Another member in a talented family of basketball players, Ish makes a name for himself as a scorer from the point who knows how to pick his spots, and makes shots at different levels. He's another nice young piece in Barrington to keep an eye on as he develops.    


Roman Allen, St. Georges: Allen is a big guard at 6'3" who can slide over to the wing as well. He's got good shooting mechanics to build off of down the line, and with some toughness and physicality. He's got an eye for rebounds on both ends of the floor to keep possessions alive and convert putbacks around the basket. His ability to score off the ball stands out as well and there's a lot of upside to like in his game.    


Leonel Despacho, South Portland HS: Despacho was a starter in his freshman year at South Portland, playing a role in their success this past winter at the point. He's fast and skilled with the ball to make an impact in multiple ways off the dribble. He thrives as an outside shooter while also showing off his ability to stop and play off two in the paint to score it or spray it out, and looks to keep building momentum this winter.