Gatorade Players of the Year Announced

New England Recruiting Report | Saturday, March 21st, 2015

CHICAGO (March 20, 2015) — In its 30th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, announced the recipients of of 2014-2015 Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year in all 50 states on Friday.

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 Shungu as Vermont'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, Shungu joins an elite alumni association of past state boys basketball award winners, including Dwight Howard (2003-04, SW Atlanta Christian Academy, Ga.), Chauncey Billups (1993-94 & 1994-95, George Washington HS, Colo.), Jason Kidd (1991-92, St. Joseph Notre Dame HS, Calif.), Paul Pierce (1994-95, Inglewood HS, Calif.) and Chris Bosh (2001-02, Lincoln HS, Texas).

Connecticut - Steve Enoch

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound senior forward averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds per game this past season, leading the Chancellors (29-9) to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class AAA semifinals. The state’s No.1 recruit in the Class of 2015 as rated by the New England Recruiting Report, Enoch scored 18 points with seven rebounds in an 83-76, come-from-behind victory over Vermont Academy at the Spaulding Hoophall Classic in January.

Enoch has maintained a 3.27 GPA in the classroom. He has donated his time delivering meals and clothing to families in need and has volunteered as a tour guide for prospective students at his school.

“Steven Enoch possesses tremendous integrity and initiative,” said St. Thomas More head coach Jere Quinn. “He has had a wonderful season while playing in the strongest conference in the country. He will have a very successful career at UConn as a student and as an athlete.”

Enoch has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at the University of Connecticut this fall.

Maine - Nicholas Mayo

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound senior forward and center averaged 24.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.8 steals per game this past season, leading the Eagles (14-6) to the Class A state quarterfinals. A Mr. Maine Basketball finalist, Mayo shot 50.2 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from 3-point range and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line. The 2015 Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year, he also participated in the Maine McDonald's High School Senior All-Star Game this winter.

Mayo has maintained a B average in the classroom. In addition to serving as a youth basketball instructor, he has volunteered on behalf of the Bedside Manor Alzheimer's Care Facility and participated in a walkathon fundraiser for brain injury research. He has also donated his time as part of community cleanup efforts to benefit the elderly.

"As far as talent goes, I do not think our area—Central Maine along I-95—has seen a player like this since [two-time Gatorade Maine Boys Basketball Player of the Year] T.J Caouette, who graduated from Winthrop High in 1996," said Jason Pellerin, head coach of rival Lawrence High. "At 6-foot-8, he can simply do anything he wants on the court."

Mayo has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University this fall.

Massachusetts - Guilien Smith

The 6-foot-1, 196-pound senior guard led the Knights to a 24-2 record and the Division 1 state championship this past season. Smith averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, including 26 points and seven boards in Catholic Memorial’s 80-70 win over Putnam Tech in the state title game. A 2014 Boston Herald Dream Team and ESPN Boston All-State selection, he was a two-time Catholic Conference MVP.

Smith has maintained an A average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a peer and youth tutor and as a school ambassador. He has also donated his time as part of multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit breast cancer research.

“Guilien Smith is a potent combination of speed, quickness and power,” said Jim McCune, head coach of Malden Catholic High. “The game is not about him. He does what his team and coach need him to do to win the game.”

Smith has verbally committed to attend Dartmouth College, where he will play basketball beginning this fall.

New Hampshire - Terance Mann

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior guard and forward led the Rams to a 31-5 record and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference Class AA championship this past season. Mann averaged 23.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 61 percent from inside the arc. A 2015 First Team All-NEPSAC selection, he scored 18 points in Brewster Academy's 68-63 win over Vermont Academy in the NEPSAC championship. He is ranked as the nation's No. 43 recruit in the class of 2015 by ESPN.

Mann has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a mentor for children with special needs and as a youth basketball coach.

"Terance Mann is a tremendous competitor and a complete basketball player," said Tilton School head coach Marcus O'Neil. "He's a terrific player on both ends of the court and puts the team ahead of himself."

Mann has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Florida State University this fall.

Rhode Island - Corey Daugherty

The 6-foot, 165-pound senior point guard averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists this past season, leading the Eagles (24-3) to the Open State Tournament championship game. Daugherty led the state in 3-pointers made with 87, knocking down 18 in four state tournament games. A two-time First Team All-State selection, he concluded his prep basketball career with 1,660 points.

Daugherty has maintained an unweighted 4.06 GPA in the classroom. For his senior project, he organized the move of Barrington's basketball game against Bishop Hendricken to Brown University as a fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics.

"Corey led his team on offense and defense," said Alex Butler, head coach of East Providence High. "He made sure to keep everyone involved. He is really efficient and doesn't force the issue. When the game called for it, he took over."

Daugherty has verbally committed to attend Brown University, where he will play basketball beginning this fall.

Vermont - Ben Shungu

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior guard led the Green Knights to a 23-1 record and their third consecutive Division 1 state championship this past season. Shungu averaged 18.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game. A First Team All-Metro and Second Team Burlington Free Press All-State selection as a junior, he was also named to the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Dream Dozen and USA TODAY's All-USA Vermont Second Team.

Shungu has maintained a B average in the classroom. A peer mentor in his school, he has volunteered locally on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington and youth basketball programs.

"Shungu creates matchup nightmares," said Sol Bayer-Pacht, head coach at South Burlington High. "He can post up small guys, he can put the ball on the floor and make plays. He doesn't have any off nights."

Shungu will begin his senior year of high school this fall.