Blue Chip Classic Freshmen Recap

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

In the Freshmen Division at the Blue Chip Classic, the Mass Rivals went 2-0 to take the Championship while the Rhode Island Hawks earned a victory over the New England Storm to finish in second place.  Here's a look at which players impressed in the Fessenden School Gym.  (Highlight video below from Ballas TV)

Mass Rivals Player Recap

Saul Phiri has a back-court tool-shed which houses size, length, power, skill, and explosion.  When he attacks the lane and initiates contact, he punishes defenders as bodies bounce off.  As Saul develops a mean-streak, watch out; he could emerge rapidly...

Greg Kuakumensah - The younger brother of Cedric, Greg is a long southpaw front-court prospect who uses athleticism and length to make plays at both ends of the floor.  Also has an emerging skill-set which gives him versatility and potential to be a player who can both inside and out on the perimeter.

Tyonne Malone - Having already established himself as bonafide D1 prospect with an offer from Umass, the southpaw rim slasher is expanding his game by tightening his handle and thus improving his ability to assume ball-handling responsibility for his team.  Malone scored ball consistently from the outside and at the dish in Game 2 for the Rivals after missing the first game as he was participating in an another hoop event.

The younger brother of Mo and Jacquil, and currently in the 8th Grade, Javon Taylor raised eyebrows on Saturday as he showed as a versatile front-court player game who effects the game in a wide variety of ways.  With his emerging skill-set and a cohesive feel for the game, J.T. has the potential to take his game in a number of directions as he develops physically.  Great basketball frame, plays selflessly, and seems to have a ton of fun playing the game.  Lots of upside early on without question.

Chandler Jones drew a lot of "who's that(s)" on Saturday as he showcased a versatile combination of length, skill, athleticism, and IQ.  Makes plays in transition and has a nice all-around game on the offensive end.  Jones has the physical tools and mindset which give him the potential to be a guy who can guard multiple positions.

Jake Midura - Strong-based wing player who can score the ball in a variety of ways.  Knock-down three-point-shooting ability, a mid-range shot-maker, and capable of attacking the basket from the perimeter with the one-dribble-drive.

Anthony Silfa - Another guy who made a landing on the radar on Saturday, Silfa is a big guard who combines strength and athleticism to attack the rack with tenacity.  Loves to get out and attack in transition and a knock-down three-point-shooter.  Scored the ball consitently on Saturday.  Makes things happen on the defense end and has the tools to lock up perimeter scorers.

Wabissa Bede & Kendall Baldwin - With the keys to a talented front-court stable, Bede and Baldwin did a nice job in the back-court of facilitating effectively and efficiently while also making plays and creating offense when opportunities arose.

Eric DAguanno - Showcased his knack for scoring the basketball, getting buckets in a variety of ways and scrapping for put-backs on the offensive boards.

RI Hawks Player Recap

Nick Seretta -  Breakout wing performer who scores the ball consistently and indiscriminately, getting buckets from the long-range, the mid-range, at the bucket, in transition, off the window, and in the lane.

Matt Donahue - The  sharp-shooting Matt Donahue had a nice day scoring the ball from deep and from the mid-range while also attacking the basket to create contact and get to the line.

Shamus McNeil - Scrappy guard who makes things happen by hounding the opposing ball-handler and making plays in transition.  Also showed a nice lthree-point shooting stroke as he connected on a number of long-range opportunities on Saturday.

Terrell Brown- Long and skilled, Brown is a shot-blocker who plays a pick n' pop-style of ball on the offensive end in which he'll look to create space for a guard before floating out to the arc and facing up for a three-point look. As he fills out, gets stronger and is able to more effectively bang in the paint, Brown is a prospect who has the potential to play at a high-level.

Mike McCourt -Gritty competitor with a well-balanced game and hard-nosed style of play. Can score the ball from the outside and by attacking the basket while getting after it on the defensive end.

Doing a nice job in the back-court for the Hawks were a pair of promising guards in Matt Lowerre and Dan Baribeault while in the front-court, Matt DeWolf had a nice afternoon as well for the Hawks in the front-court.

New England Storm Player Recap

Tamenang Choh is an explosive wing athlete with an enticing basketball frame.  Attacks the basket from the wing to get buckets at the rack.  Gets all over the glass on both ends and has the potential to develop into an above-the-rim playmaker sooner than later

George Grillakis - Heady point guard who plays with poise and toughness.  Knows how to distribute the basketball and has the ability to score the rock from the outside.

Christopher Miller made a strong impression on Saturday as a talented all-around player with a concise understanding of the game.  Lot of potential as he grows and develops physically.

Keith Brown is a strong wing player who plays a high-IQ, facilitating game out on the perimeter and will also bang around inside and get buckets in the paint.  Shoots the ball from the outside and does a real nice job of entering the ball into the post.