Five Names to Know Ahead of #NEHF pt. 2

Malik Pettiford | Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Continuing on with our previews ahead of this weekend’s massive face off between some of the Northeast’s best grassroots programs, here are five more names to keep an eye our for when play gets started.

 

Kamryn Salters, New Haven Heat MHC 17U & Notre Dame Fairfield '25 

The senior guard has a large frame and is able to use that to deter shots and passes on defense, and get into the paint on offense. Salters is elite at getting to the basket and finishing through contact or dishing out passes to open teammates. He often knocks down three-pointers at a high clip with his smooth, efficient stroke on his shots.

Salters was recently named to the Connecticut First Team All-State after helping them reach the state semifinals. 

 

Julius Washington, CT Takeover HGAL 17U & Grasso Tech '26 

Washington is an explosive scorer who can put the ball in the basket from any area on the floor. He often converts on difficult fadeaways and floaters from the mid-range area, and can also step back to beyond-the-arc for catch-and-shoot looks. He is a blur going downhill and in transition, and paired with his ball-handling skills makes him difficult to contain. 

Washington averaged 27 points per game and 3.2 steals for Grasso Tech this season, leading them to a 19-5 record. 

 

James Caldarella, BCRI HGSL 17U & Bishop Hendricken/Cheshire '26 

The class of 2026 guard is a smooth shooter from deep, capable of knocking down shots off the dribble or on the catch. Caldarella maintains great form on movement jumpers, running off screens and quickly rising up for shots. He’s also a crafty finisher when able to get into the lane, which he does often with the threat of his outside jumper. 

Caldarella recently committed to Cheshire Academy after helping Bishop Hendricken make a run to the state championship. 

 

Trevor Payne, Team Sims UA Rise 17U & Tabor Academy '26 

Payne is a versatile combo guard at 6-foot-4 who has a smooth touch on floaters, and can also get above the rim for dunks. From the outside he’s just as reliable, shooting 41% on nearly 4 attempts per game from three-point territory. Payne is both great at scoring on-the-ball, or operating as a perimeter shooter in the flow of the offense. 

Payne’s size at the guard position and defensive versatility allows him to slot in as a forward occasionally, something that will be invaluable to Team Sims. 

 

Merrick Smith, New England Storm 17U HGSL & Kimball Union '26 

At 6-foot-10, the 2026 big man is impressively mobile on both ends of the floor. On defense he can get up onto the perimeter and keep up with quicker players, and on offense he gets out in the open floor for easy opportunities. Smith is an adept cutter as well, using his awareness of court spacing to move into open space for easy baskets.

Smith has improved significantly since transferring to Kimball Union, and will look to continue to expand his game with the New England Storm.

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