Commitment Catch-up

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Saturday, March 8th, 2008

SNHU Lands Talented Guard
MCI guard Marcus Matthews has committed to attend Southern New Hampshire University.  He joins Lucas Croteau from Spalding High School in New Hampshire in SNHU’s recruiting class.  Matthews is a very talented player who should be able to make an immediate contribution in the NE-10.  In fact, prior to his junior season at Bishop Loughlin High School (Brooklyn, New York) he verbally committed to UMass.  However, he struggled with injuries for the next two years and eventually ended up at MCI as a post-graduate.  This year he showed an ability to play minutes at both guard spots, although he is far from a pure point guard.  What he is, is a player who knows how to attack the rim and get himself to the free-throw line.  Had Matthews opted to wait out the year there is a very good chance he could have found himself at the division I level.  But to his credit, he seems to have picked a situation where he has a chance to be successful right away. 

Bates Picks up Front Court Duo
Bates College Head Coach Joe Reilly has received commitments from two local big men as he appears to have solidified his front line for the next four years.  Ryan Weston from Bangor High School (Bangor, ME) and John Squirres, a post-graduate from Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH) will both be Bobcats next year.  Weston and Squirres should be a good fit together, as their individual skill sets compliment each other very well.  Weston is a physical presence in the paint that can clear out space and score around the rim.  Meanwhile Squirres may be at his best when facing the basket as he can stretch opposing defenses to the three-point line and is very comfortable handling and passing the ball within the flow of the offense.  Anytime you can land a quality big at the division III level it is a good get, give Bates credit for landing two of them. 

Middlebury Adds BCHS Big Man
Ryan Sharry is also headed to the NESCAC.  He will play for Middlebury College, who recently finished a terrific season that culminated with a run to the conference tournament finals and the NCAA tournament.  Sharry is no stranger to post season success as he was an integral part of the Boston College High School team that captured the Massachusetts division I state title last year.  Playing behind Andrew Yanulis and Jake O’Brien at the forward spots last year and next to O’Brien this year, Sharry hasn’t always gotten the credit he deserves.  But he has a soft touch around the rim, an accurate jumper out to 18 feet, and a good understanding of the game.