CT Hoops Week In Review

by Mike Yagmin | Saturday, December 31st, 2011

-Preseason #1 New London has had the opportunity to prove themselves against some of the state's best programs early in the season and their tough stretch culminated with a loss to St. Joseph (Trumbull) in the Northeast Christmas Classic. After beating Trinity Catholic on Wednesday behind Kris Dunn's (ESPN's #2 PG in the country) 31 points, the Whalers lost a controversial battle with the Cadets despite 27 from Dunn. James Jennings led St. Joseph's (5-0), who will likely be the new #1, with 17 points in the 57-52 win. New London (4-2) lost to Hillhouse earlier in the year at the Doc Hurley Invitational.
 
-The Cadets are exceptionally deep this season with Jennings running the point, Quincey McKnight at the two and a formidable front court with Pat Hopkins and Diamonte Zarba surrounding one of Connecticut’s best players, Timajh Parker-Rivera. McKnight led the charge against Archbishop Malloy (NY) with 27 points while Parker-Rivera and Jennings had 14 and 16 respectively, in a 74-63 win. The unheralded Hopkins is a 6'7" presence in the middle of the Cadets defense, posting nearly 10 points, 10 boards and 3 blocks per game, while doing the dirty work neccessary on a championship level squad. Look for the Cadets to make another long run come March.
 
-Kahlil Dukes and Capital Prep had a big week of their own during the Holiday break. The Longhorns went 2-1 with wins over Norwich Free Academy and West Roxbury (MA) before losing to New Britain 86-73 on Friday night. The final score wasn't indicative of how close the game truly was throughout, as Capital rallied from nine back in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime. A late turnover allowed New Britain (2-2) to tie the game at the line in the final seconds and outscore Prep 18-5 in the extra session. After going off for 51 points in his second game of the season against Classical (Hartford), junior guard Kahlil Dukes had another big week, knocking down six 3's against West Roxbury en route to a game-high 31 points to go along with 17 and 22 points against NFA and New Britain respectively. Dukes' display was overshadowed by NB's 6'3" PF Craven Johnson, who used his powerful wide body, tremendous footwork and aggressive mentality to finish around the rim with both hands for 28 points and 14 boards.
 
-Kuran Iverson and Northwest Catholic (3-0) stayed perfect with a dominant 79-56 win over rival East Catholic (2-2). The 6'9" point-forward tallied 19 points, 13 boards and 3 blocks while drawing constant attention and facilitating for teammates Zach Lewis (11 points) and Tyler Huffman (22). If the junior phenom decides to bring full effort on a nightly basis throughout the season, the sky will be the limit for both him and the Indians who face national powerhouse DeMatha later in the year. Iverson's skills and potential are limitless, but his work ethic has to continue to improve if he's to maximize his genetic gifts. Lewis is a D1 talent who scored 43 points in the opening game of the season and 31 against Weaver later in the week. East Catholic's 6'3" swingman Tyler Veretto dropped 32 points on NWC with an array of deep 3's and sweeping drives to the hoop.
 
-Big man Nate Howard has shown improvement so far in the young season and his Cheshire teammates are reaping the benefits in the form of easy assists and wins. The 6'11" Howard had 18 points in a win against Southington early in the week, then exploded for 23 against West Haven on Friday. Howard needs to add some bulk to his lean frame and correct some mechanical issues with his jumper but the foundation is there and the Rams (3-3) could play spoiler later in the year.
 
-After winning only four games all of last season, North Haven is off to a 5-0 start thanks in large part to the efforts of Billy McDonald. With 19 points and 10 boards in a 57-49 win over Lyman Hall, McDonald filled up the box score and is doing everything in his power to turn his team into a contender. Surpassing your win total only five games into the season is a good start!

-Danbury's Tim Jackson Jr. put on an aerial display during the Hatters' 58-43 victory against New Fairfield, finishing with 25 high-flying points. After starting the game with two jams and a deep trey, Jackson scored the first eight points of the second on alley-oops and monster throw downs. Jackson is a sleeper in the class of 2012 and might not have to leave Danbury to play his college ball, as he is coached by former Western CT player and assistant coach Casey Bock.
 
-Coach Ken Smith brought his Windsor team on the road for a game against New Bedford (MA) and gave Massachusetts a taste of what teams in CT have been dealing with for the last few decades. In usual Warrior fashion, twelve players scored led by Andy Hurd's 20 points on six 3's. Freshman stud Jared Wilson-Frame nearly posted a double-double with 11 points and 8 boards while senior point guard Garey Allen notched 10 points and 10 assists in a 98-68 win.
 
-William & Mary - bound senior Terry Tarpey had his second straight 30-point performance in Fairfield Prep's 57-56 win against Ludlowe. Tarpey left the game late in the fourth quarter after grabbing his 14th rebound of the night and appeared to have a sprained ankle. Hopefully it's a minor sprain and the slashing wingman can return after the new year.
 
-While some teams have been helped by the addition of football players from state championship teams, others have struggled. Cromwell, who lost to Ansonia in the Class S finals, is off to a 5-0 start with the help of quarterback/guard Anthony Morales and wide receiver/guard Brett Director but their go-to guy is 6'2" shooting guard Colin Burkhart, who is averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals per game. Xavier-Middletown (1-5), on the other hand, has struggled mightily despite having a roster which includes D-I football recruits Jovan Santos-Knox and highly recruited quarterback Pat D'Amato, who has a scholarship offer from Boston College on the table.
 
-Former Avon Old Farms and Stratford forward Tafari Whittingham decided to transfer once again for the 2011-12 season, this time to Coney Island to play for perennial powerhouse and the current #19 team in the country, Lincoln. Whittingham, who had a hard time defining a role at both of his previous stops, has fit right in with the Railsplitters and become one of their most consistent players. In his most recent contest, Whittingham scored 11 points and anchored the Lioncoln defense during a 76-69 loss to California power #7 Mater Dei in the final of the MaxPreps Holiday Classic. Whittingham, who has once again reclassified as a junior, earned All-Tournament recognition which is extremely impressive considering the amount of high-DI talent present, including his own point guard, 6'3" sophomore sensation Isaiah Whitehead.