Boston Shootout – Event Recap

Cody Hatt | Monday, June 6th, 2011

The 39th annual Boston Shootout also included the second annual Mike Crotty Sr. Memorial Game, as the Shootout honored Coach Crotty’s legacy with a special ceremony and subsequent game between the Albany City Rocks and Middlesex Magic. 

Over a 17 year span, Coach Crotty built the Middlesex Magic into one of the most reputable and elite AAU programs both regionally and nationally. Through the Magic program, Coach Crotty touched thousands of kids’ lives and helped hundreds to realize their college dreams. His sudden and untimely passing in February of 2010 shocked the basketball community, but his spirit lives on through the Middlesex Magic program now run by his son, Michael Crotty Jr.

While Saturday was a day to remember Crotty’s legacy, Sunday was a day to crown championships and BABC didn’t disappoint as they defended their home turf, capturing titles in both the Freshman and Junior Divisions at Tufts University’s Cousens Gym.

Top Performers

Jake Layman (BABC 17u)- Continuing with what has been an explosive spring season for the super-long, ultra-skilled wing, Layman’s versatility was on full display throughout the day on Sunday, as he knocked down multiple catch-and-shoot jumpers in rhythm with a feathery stroke from three, attacked close-outs for emphatic finishes above the rim through traffic, and showed value as a capable playmaker off the bounce with impressive creativity sharing the ball on the move.  Currently holding high-major offers from Providence and Notre Dame in the Big East, the six-foot-seven hybrid forward is sure to see his number of scholarship offers rise as he continues to emerge as a developing talent in the national class of 2012.

Georges Niang (BABC 17u)- Putting up a monster, 24-point, 20-rebound performance against CT Select in BABC’s first game on Sunday, the recent Iowa State-commit was his usual dominant, productive self, scoring the ball effortlessly with either hand from a multitude of angles around the rim and devastating defenders with this elite footwork on the interior.  Equally as impressive as his high volume of productivity scoring and rebounding the ball is the matter-of-fact manner in which he does so , as Niang continues to solidify his stock as a bona fide high-major player who consistently gets it done against opponents unable to handle his skillset and craft from areas all over the floor.

Jaylen Brantley (BABC 17u)- What Brantley lacks in size and raw athleticism he makes up for with a savvy court-presence and the ability to spread the floor with deep, NBA-type range from the perimeter.  Never flashy but ever steady and effective making plays in the open floor, he single-handedly can change momentum in quick spurts with the ability to knock down shots in bunches from three and light up the scoreboard in a hurry with a pure, textbook release and the understanding of how to create space for one-dribble pull-ups in either direction.

Rene Castro (BABC 17u)- Spearheading BABC’s relentless defensive attack at the top of its extended zone press look, Castro uses his supreme length and ball-hawking instincts to jump in passing lanes, create steals, and convert turnovers into quick scoring opportunities in transition.  Combining with his running-mate Brantley to form as rock solid a backcourt as there is on the national grassroots scene, his energy and athleticism as a defensive presence and dynamic playmaker off the dribble fuel BABC’s attack on both ends and often triggers devastating, game-changing scoring runs in his team’s favor.

Andrew Chrabascz (BABC 17u)- Appearing bigger, more physical, and more athletic every time out, Chrabascz features a tough, punishing game around the rim, combining his developing skillset and sheer will to compete to score consistently on the interior and rebound the ball through traffic.  Showcasing a developing stroke out to 15-feet, he connected on multiple jumpers form the high-post area, ran hard rim-to-rim to condense the defense in transition, and demonstrated catcher’s mitt-style hands pursuing the ball through contact and executing plays with either hand on the interior.

Wayne Selden (BABC 15u)- Splitting time between BABC’s 15u and 17u clubs, Selden’s college-ready frame and explosive athleticism was on full display throughout the day on Sunday, as a showed off his trademark bounce in transition and flare for making difficult, highlight-reel type plays look easy with his blue-chip finishing ability in the open floor. With a developing stroke from three that continues to look more and more solid each time out, the sky is the limit for the six-foot-four wing as he continues to mature with a rapidly emerging skillset to complement his plethora of natural physical ability.

Tyree Robinson (BABC 15u)- Joining Selden as an explosive, two-way force for BABC’s younger group on Sunday, Robinson features tremendous bounce as an above-the-rim finisher on the interior and volume shot-blocker defensively.  As he continues to mature and obtain quality game-experience, look for his offensive skill-set to quickly catch up to his superior athleticism and raw physical ability as a rapidly-developing young big.

Adam Bramanti (NE Storm 17u)- A heady playmaker with impressive feel off the dribble and a pure stroke from three, Bramanti connected on multiple catch-and-shoot threes off dribble penetration and showed commitment as a pest defensively capable of locking down opposing ball-handlers and turning turnovers into quick offense in transition.

Rohan Brown (CT Select 17u)- An impressive athlete with terrific length and quick-leaping ability in tight space, Brown impressed with a smooth stroke from behind the arc and the ambition to attack close-outs with a hard bounce in either direction to get into the lane and make plays attacking the rim.  Dynamite in the open floor, he consistently pursues the ball off the defensive glass, distributes a quick outlet, and often times is on the receiving end of the break with solid hands and elite finishing ability at full-speed in transition.

Jelanie Currie (Albany City Rocks 17u)- One of the day’s surprise performers who is just scratching the surface of his potential as a high-caliber athlete with a bouncy, super-long frame, Currie consistently elevated and scored over less-athletic defenders unable to match his wingspan and quick-leaping ability in traffic.  With natural shot-blocking instincts, he has the upside to develop into a game-changing force defensively capable of turning away shots in the paint and preventing opposing drivers from getting clean looks at the rim.

Cooper Ainge (Middlesex Magic 17u)- There are instant expectations with this last name but Cooper lived up to the challenge.  The rising senior guard was the Magic's top scorer in the Crotty Memorial game, finishing with 20 points while showing a jumper that featured a quick and compact release along with deep range, in addition to a strong overall basketball I.,Q. and a rapidly developing dribble drive game. 

Joe Glynn (Middlesex Magic 17u)- Glynn's breakout spring continued with two solid performances this weekend.  He continuously leads the Magic with the quality of his motor and rapidly developing tool set.  He secured double-doubles in both games this weekend showing off his size and athleticism, inside-out scoring ability, and defensive versatility.