Gatorade Announces Player of the Year Winners

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, March 20th, 2017

CHICAGO (March 20, 2017) — In its 32nd year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, announced on Monday their Boys Basketball Player of the Year award winners in all fifty sates.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Moss as Maine's best high school boys basketball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award to be announced in March, Moss joins an elite alumni association of past state boys basketball award winners, including Karl-Anthony Towns (2012-13 & 2013-14, St. Joseph HS, N.J.), Dwight Howard (2003-04, SW Atlanta Christian Academy, Ga.), Chris Bosh (2001-02, Lincoln HS, Texas), Paul Pierce (1994-95, Inglewood HS, Calif.), Chauncey Billups (1993-94 & 1994-95, George Washington HS, Colo.) and Jason Kidd (1991-92, St. Joseph Notre Dame HS, Calif.).

Connecticut - Tremont Waters, Notre Dame High School (West Haven)

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior point guard averaged 25.3 points, 4.6 assists and 4.6 steals per game while shooting 87.3 percent from the line this past season, leading the Knights (22-2) to the first round of the Class LL state tournament. A Jordan Brand Classic Game invitee, Waters is ranked as the nation’s No. 33 recruit in the Class of 2017 by ESPN.    

Waters has volunteered locally as a mentor for elementary school children and as a youth basketball coach. “Tremont Waters has the ability to take over a game in so many ways, regardless of the opponents’ defensive strategy.” said Notre Dame head coach Jason Shea. “That’s what makes him the best player I have ever seen in my coaching career.”   
 
Waters has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Georgetown University this fall

Maine - Terion Moss, Portland High School

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound junior guard led the Bulldogs to a 19-2 record and their second consecutive Class AA state championship this past season. Moss averaged 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.6 assists per game. The North Regional MVP, he is also a two-time All-Conference honoree and was selected to the USA TODAY's ALL-USA Maine Second Team as a sophomore.    

Moss has volunteered locally on behalf of youth basketball programs. "Moss really doesn't have any weaknesses," said Kevin Millington, head coach at South Portland High. "He's lightning-quick. He can use both hands. He can score by attacking the rim and from long range. He's a much better rebounder than someone his size should be, and he's the best on-the-ball defender in the state."    

Moss has maintained a B average in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

Massachusetts - Azar Swain, The Rivers School

The 6-foot, 185-pound senior guard averaged 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game this past season, leading the Red Wings (20-7) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class B tournament semifinals. The NEPSAC Class B Player of the Year, Swain was the co-MVP of the Independent School League and a three-time First Team All-ISL selection. He concluded his prep basketball career with a school-record 2,185 points.     

Swain has volunteered locally as a mentor and tutor to inner-city student-athletes and on behalf of the Special Olympics. He has also donated his time as a youth basketball counselor, coach and referee. “I have always said that if I need to put the ball in a player’s hand with a chance to win the game, then that player would be Azar Swain,” said Tony Teixeira, head coach of Roxbury Latin School. “There is no kid that has embodied winning and impacts the game in so many different ways as Azar does.”     

Swain has maintained a B-plus average in the classroom and represents one of the state’s top academic candidates in meeting the Gatorade award’s broad criteria. He has made a verbal commitment to attend Yale University, where he will play basketball, beginning this fall.

New Hampshire - Joey Glynn, Portsmouth High School

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior forward had led the Clippers to a 20-0 record and a berth in the Division I state final at the time of his selection. Glynn averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists per game while shooting 57 percent from inside the arc through 20 games. A First Team All-State honoree, he is the leading scorer and rebounder for a Portsmouth team that had won 42 consecutive games heading into the state final.   

A member of his school's yearbook club, Glynn has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics, drug and alcohol abuse awareness programs and as a youth basketball coach. "Joey Glynn is the best big man in the state," said Portsmouth High head coach Jim Mulvey. "He consistently brings his greatest effort night in and night out. He is the best rebounder in the state and one of the best scorers. He is a matchup nightmare."   

Glynn has maintained a 3.38 GPA in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination

Rhode Island - Cole Swider, St. Andrew's School

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound junior forward averaged 26.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this past season, leading the Saints (20-9) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class AA Tournament semifinals. A NEPSAC Class AA First Team selection, Swider is a two-time Team MVP. He concluded his junior year with 1,962 points in his prep basketball career.    

Swider has volunteered locally serving meals at a soup kitchen and as a peer tutor, and he has donated his time as a youth basketball coach and counselor. "Cole is a tremendous player," said Marcus O'Neil, head coach of Tilton (N.H.) School. "He is an outstanding shooter, makes plays driving to the hoop and can post up as well. He has a lot of potential."    

Swider has maintained a 3.33 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

Vermont - Calvin Carter, Enosburg Falls High School

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound senior guard led the Hornets to a perfect 24-0 record and the program's first Division 2 state championship this past season. Carter averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. A First Team Burlington Free Press All-State honoree, he was named to the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Dream Dozen each of the past two seasons and was selected to USA TODAY's ALL-USA Vermont First Team.    

Carter has assisted students with disabilities in his school and works on his family's farm.  "Carter can really score, but there are also so many other things he does that make his teammates better," said Aaron Hill, head coach at Hazen High. "He's skilled and versatile and can control a basketball game."   

Carter has maintained a B average in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.