DBA Fall League – Event Recap

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Thursday, November 13th, 2008

20 teams from all corners of Connecticut make the trip to Trumbull each Sunday to play in the DeSantis Basketball Academy’s Fall League.  Perennial contenders like Windsor, Hillhouse, Kolbe Cathedral, and St. Joe’s highlight the talented collection of teams. 

The New England Recruiting Report was on hand this past Sunday to catch some of the action and listen to reports about who has been starring thus fair this fall. 

Windsor knocked off Kolbe Cathedral in a match-up of two teams who both made it to the state championship game last year.  Steven Samuels was doing his thing as usual as he made a variety of acrobatic plays in the open floor.  Meanwhile his running mate Adrian Satchell was showing off his consistently improving perimeter skill set by knocking down open threes and beating his man off the dribble.  Kolbe got good production from Dominique Langston who was boasting a noticeably bulked up physique and Ronnie Underwood who was slashing his way to the rim. 

Holy Cross (Waterbury) knocked off the Wallingford All-Stars relying on some pinpoint perimeter shooting.  They were led by the inside-out tandem of Ta’Quan Zimmerman and Ryan Kolb.  Wallingford got good production out of their backcourt with Luke Matarazzo, Phil Gaetano, and Tom Piscina all playing well. 

St. Joseph’s scored a win over the DBA All-Stars behind a quality performance from junior swingman Greg Langston who used his size and strength to get to the rim and finish.  Senior guard Kyle Walker played well in the backcourt showing his ability to knock down shots.  St. Joe’s also boasts a talented group of underclassmen with guard Brandon Jones and big man Oscar Assie in the sophomore class and James Jennings and T.J. Parker forming a similar 1-2 punch in the freshman class. 

Here is a look at other players who shined:

Braxton Gardner (Christian Heritage):  The 6’4” lefty can score inside and out with a soft touch around the rim and the ability to stroke it all the way out to the three-point line. 

Jason Pierre (Christian Heritage):  A strong and physical guard who has worked hard to build up his skill set.  Hopefully he’ll reap the rewards. 

Sean Bereanza (Trinity-Pawling, NY):  The post-grad from Seymour, CT has been running with the DBA All-Stars and putting points on the board in the process. 

Mick Kelly (RHAM HS):  He’s just a sophomore but he’s already developing a reputation as one of the state’s best shooters. 

Jonathan Herzog (Greenwich):  A strong guard who has shot it with range.  He went for a game high 23 points in Greenwich’s game against Bunnell. 

John DiBartolomeo (Staples):  He’s put up big numbers against some of the best defensive teams in the state, scoring 27 against Windsor and 24 vs. Hillhouse. 

Andrei Oztumel (Staples):  DiBartolomeo’s running mate is a slightly undersized points who had 24 vs. Windsor and 18 against Hillhouse. 

Greg DeSantis (Notre Dame-Fairfield):  30 vs. Ludlowe, 23 vs. Wilbur Cross, 28 vs. Greenwich.  Is there anyone that has improved more in the last 2 years?

Trey McPherson, Arkel Miles, Thomas Bajda, Casey Woodring (Notre Dame-Fairfield):  Don’t feel bad for Notre Dame head coach Vin Laczkowski when DeSantis graduates, he may have the best freshmen class in the state. 

Fred Wilson (Hillhouse):  There have been few who have been consistently better creating for themselves and their teammates than Kermit Carolina’s super sophomore. 

Tavon Allen (Hillhouse):  With Allen just a junior and Wilson a sophomore, look for Hillhouse to make another run at multiple state championships. 

Tyrell Coward (Bunnell):  Has handled it well and gotten himself into the paint where he has been productive scoring the ball. 

Justin Turner (Trumbull):  He’ll play in the paint this year for Trumbull but his future at the next level is as a step-out four man. 

Brian Debisschop (Cheshire): A strong and tough forward who has been productive with the ball from 15 feet and in. 

Colin Kelly (Ludlowe):  Ludlowe has won games by out-executing the opposition and Kelly has been the catalyst.  He’ll also stroke it from the perimeter. 

Russell Payton (Stratford):  He’s done a little bit of everything showing he can make shots, handle the ball, and get to the rim. 

Brandon Sherrod (Stratford):  A big and strong post player who has been, perhaps, the league’s most consistent interior presence. 

C.J. Ruskay (Choate):  A totally different player from a year ago.  He’s put on 15 pounds of muscle, is shooting the 3 with much more consistency, and scoring inside. 

Brandyn Benson (Career):  A steady guard who provides poise, good decisions, and shot making for an up and coming Career program.