Dylan Thayer’s Standout Unsigned Seniors in the NHIAA

Friday, December 27th, 2024

The new year is coming to us in the next few days, and just like that 2025 will be here. The state of New Hampshire has a number of impressive players in the senior class looking to put there names on the radar, or find a landing spot as graduation approaches.

Here are some guys I have made note of in the granite state. 

Josh Caruso is back at it again this year averaging 24.3 points per outing over the first few games of the year. The Nashua South guard has established himself as one of the best shooters in the region, and it continues to shine through. Caruso thrives in the mid-range and behind the arc and has versatility to how he gets his shots. His Nashua South squad seems positioned for a big year with him at the helm, and sophomore forward Daniel Karavanic as a secondary option.
 

Shawn O'Neil has gotten off to a hot start on the season, with another sophomore running mate in Jordan Torres which we got to see back in September. O'Neil is able to use his smaller stature to his advantage and fly through lanes to get to the basket. When he gets downhill he can spray the ball out to hs teammates, but it also allows him to stop and pop shots from outside/mid-range. He had 25 a couple weeks back in a big win over Winnacunnet.
 

Right before the winter break, Londonderry's Mason Paquette erupted for 30 points in a tight win over Manchester Memorial. 13 of his 30 points came in the fourth quarter, which they trailed when it began. The wing is a big time shooter from outside, with length to crowd lanes and force steals, as well as switch onto different positions.
 

Alvirne's Sammy Dewitt has continued to build on his success, with an average of 20 points per game thus far. The point guard does a great job of running the show, but can also get a bucket when he needs to. His ability to create space with his handle and body control stands out. Just the other night he had 30 in the first half, and was held scoreless the second but was able to still pull out a hard fought win. 
 

A player we came away very impressed with in the summer, Will O'Connell, has things going for himself this year. While his team has only played two games, O'Connell has 30 and 26 point outings to his name. The 6'3" wing brings a shooting stroke to the floor, as well as a smooth slashing game to finish at the rim consistently. 
 

O'Connell's One Dream teammate Ryan Close is averaging over 20 points this winter at ConVal High. The 6'3" guard is a lethal shooting threat off the dribble that doesn't need a lot of space or time to get his shots off. He has great playmaking vision as well to find teammates while crashing the lane, or get them involved with his ability to separate from the defense.
 

The Manchester Memorial duo of Christian Bilolo and Bory Bory has had their moments this year in some tight games. Bilolo had 19 against Keene a couple weeks ago, while Bory's high is 11 so far. The tandem both have some impressive bounce to get above the rim, and can switch off their defensive assignments when needed to.
 

Keene High School, who is led by Javon Massiah, has started out 3-1 with a big game coming up against Nashua South on the third. Massiah has elevated his game immensely this year with work on his legs and pop towards the rim, he's been able to thrive as a dunker. With some quickness to him as a 6'5" wing, there's still upside to tap into. Fitch Hennessy provides another scoring option from inside/out for Keene too.
 

6'5" forward Robinson Rodriguez has carved out a name for himself playing at Nashua North. While his team has struggled immensely to get things rolling in the win column, Rodriguez has contributed 18 points a contest. The forward plays a sound defensive fame with length and strength to give his man a tough time, while having interior touch on the offensive end. Rodriguez's guard Alize Roig-Cortes has had an off-and-on start to the season, but notably poured in 21 points against Pinkerton to start the year. Roig-Cortes is a quick guard with a smooth pull-up jumper.
 

Drezell Duffaut has captained his Raymond High School squad to an undefeated opening to the season thus far. The guard has put up 18 points per game, using his ability to keep defenders off balance and get inside to the basket. 
 

Keegan Martinez and Connor O'Rourke had both caught our eye this summer playing together, as a 6'5" forwards. Martinez recently passed the 1,000 point plateau for his career, with his standout skill of getting in the paint using his physical build. O'Rourke isn't known for his scoring, rather he plays sound interior defense where he can keep shots away from the rim. His positioning and willingness to rebound standout as well.
 

Exeter's Nate McNeff has had multiple 20+ point outings to start the season. The point guard is an excelllent facilitator that keeps defenders off balance both off the catch and dribble. His finishing inside is impressive as well. His teammate Nik Greco provides another good scoring option and has battled through injury to start the year.
 

Windham has a couple intriguing players that have caught my eye in Jack Koutrobis and sophomore forward Sam Roidoulis. Koutrobis runs the show as the eldest of the team and traffic director. Roidoulis has some upside at 6'5" with a ton of time to continue to develop.