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

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026

Part 1 of the backcourt from Hamden Hall is live!

Michael Parris, South Kent: Parris is a true big guard who just recently announced his intention to join the class of 2029 this upcoming season. He's shown plenty of flashes in recent years with his ability to serve as a primary scorer and do so efficiently. and was able to show just that at the event, while also playing through an injury. Parris can make shots at different levels of the floor as well as throw down statement dunks as a 6'5" scoring threat.

Massa Toure, Notre Dame West Haven: Toure now heads to West Haven to join NDWH in the CIAC and look to keep building off the success they have had as of late with his brother Abdou leading the way. Massa can make shots at from inside and out, playing through contact on his way to the basket and stepping out to be a consistent shooter from deep. He's continuing to channel his athleticism with time, but is certainly primed to make a statement this upcoming winter as a sophomore.

Jake Toomer, The Masters School: Toomer had a statement season alongside Damian Mojica for Masters NY last season and looks to keep the momentum going. The point guard has speed to carve up the defense with the blend of shotmaking and downhill finishing to really be a scoring threat in different areas. He'll look to keep things rolling on a team with some steam behind them.

Amir Mickens, Greens Farms Academy: Mickens immediately jumped off the page in his first showing at the Frosh/Soph Elite 75, and looks to have a strong season at GFA while continuing to channel into his skilled game. Mickens is quick at changing directions with the ball, along with a tight handle to get to his spots and make shots, which he did all over the place at the event. His pop towards the rim led to a thunderous dunk as well, and gives him a ton of promise in the 2030 class.

Danye Upchurch, Kolbe Cathedral: Next up in the Upchurch line of point guards out of Bridgeport, Danye put on an excellent display of what he can do with the ball at the Frosh/Soph event the other day. Danye is poised for a big role at Kolbe in the near future with his advanced feel and skill for a freshman. He showed off at the event his crafty game as he can make shots at multiple levels, thriving downhill while also having a bag to make passes and get others involved.

Rocky Johnson, Springfield Commonwealth: Johnson has a coveted blend of size and ballhandling in the backcourt as a 6'4" guard moving up to the 413 from Philadelphia this season. He's got a skilled attack as a slasher with speed off the dribble to get past the defense, along with the toughness/physicality to play through contact around the basket. He can run the offense to make reads for others and himself, and is expected to have an immediate impact for Coach Bergeron.

TJ Holt, Hamden Hall: Holt is set to take the keys of the offense this season at Hamden Hall as their primary scoring threat in his sophomore year. He's always been known for his bag off the dribble to create for himself at different levels and score the basketball, but the development of his athleticism as a threat to dunk is notable. Keep an eye on how things go for Holt this season as he looks to keep improving and standing out.

Harry Spicer, Scarsdale: Spicer put on what truly was a really impressive display coming into the event from Scarsdale New York as a prospect we had not heard of in the past. The 6'2" guard had some awesome moments showing off his versatile scoring ability as he's got a really fluid and knockdown three-pointer, but can also put it on the floor to rise up for dunks. Spicer is extremely skilled and the upside he possesses on top of his current skillset is notable.

Markus Jones, The Hotchkiss School: A big guard who's got experience being on a championship level team last year, Markus Jones looks to keep making a name for himself at the Hotchkiss School. Jones looks to make an impact whenever he's on the floor defensively with his energy and communication, while serving as a strong playmaker. He can make jump shots at multiple levels and is continuing to improve athletically. 

Dahriyus Clark, Northwest Catholic: Clark has built a bit of reputation up for himself already in Connecticut as heads towards his sophomore season. The 6'1" guard can be flashy with the ball to create for others and get them open looks or to score on the move when getting downhill. He thrives at using his pace and speed to expose lanes and get to the basket.

Chase Smith, Loomis Chaffee: Smith was all over the place in his outing, showing off how good he can be as a downhill scoring threat primed for more opportunities at Loomis down the line. He was able to make shots in the lane in a variety of ways, brushing off contact and defenders around the basket, or finishing with touch on either side. His development at the point as a playmaker will key over the next few seasons.

Tristan Sullivan, Saint Luke's: Sullivan's another young guard at St. Luke's who has upside to keep an eye on as he goes through the years. He's really quick and shifty with the ball to break down defenders one on one and get to the basket, and can finish on either side of it. Plays with a high motor and looks to keep developing down the line.

Zarkee Sanders, Hillhouse: Sanders will make the move across the way to Hillhouse this season from NDWH and becomes a player to watch for the annual contender in the CIAC. Sanders is a shooter from outside with some versatility to walk into threes of his own or run off screens and let it fly off the catch. He has some skill on the move in the lane to make tough lays through contact or to spray the ball out to his teammates as well.

Azim Carter jr, East Hartford: East Hartford has churned out some impressive guard prospects in recent years, and Carter looks to line himself up to be the next one. He's a two-way presence that will likely step right into a bigger role this season. Carter can really attack the basket with his touch in the lane, while being impressive as a hard-nosed ball defender.

Cameron Clemons, Saint Luke's: Clemons has continued to ascend as a solid 6'1" point guard with a lot of upside in the sophomore class. He's efficient in the lane, reading the floor and exposing holes in the defense to get to his spots and convert. He's gotten more and more developed physically to really stand out as he can brush off contact, or use his quick first step to get downhill. Will again look to make his mark at St. Luke's this season.

Braylon Ragins, Northwest Catholic: Ragins showed off some promise heading into his sophomore year at Northwest Catholic. The 6'1" guard has one of those "throwback" style games that will never flame out in the new style of basketball. He's scrappy and physical, which works to his advantage offensively to get downhill or stop and make mid-range jumpers. Has a chance to really make some noise down the line.

Tay Hanavan, Taconic High School: The Hanavan brothers have been very familiar faces on the scene over the past few years, and Tay is the next one up as a freshman out of Western Mass. His calling card is his lights-out shooting ability to make shots off the catch from outside at a high clip. He's able to score off the bounce as well, and can anticipate the right reads to make as a passer. Will be keeping an eye on his development as he goes through the years.

Elle Gibson, Notre Dame West Haven: Gibson continues to develop and has impressed us in the past as a 2030 guard with solid positional size. He most notably shines as a mid-range shotmaker who can break down defenders and hit shots off the dribble. He's tough and can be physical, joining a really competitive program as a freshman this season.

Matthew Benson, Darrow: Benson is fresh off a season playing in the 15u of the Pro16 and looks ready for another strong season of development at Darrow. The 6'3" guard is most notably a capable shooter from outside who has a fluid release and can relocate to get good looks. He's got some switchability on the defensive end with his size and can get things going as a slasher as well.