Guards Headline New Hampshire’s 2019 Class

Friday, March 23rd, 2018

2019 state rankings debut in New Hampshire where the junior class got their typical influx of new talent this season.

Quite a bit of that is in the backcourt where Brewster's Sherif Kenney, New Hampton's Mika Adams-Woods, and Brewster's Joel Brown occupy three of the top four spots. Kennedy debuts in the top spot as his size and playmaking in the backcourt are unmatched but he'll need to become more consistent and reliable if he hopes to hold off Adams-Woods who had a very strong opening season in the NEPSAC.

We're betting on upside in the third spot with New Hampton's Bas Leyte as he has a combination of size and skill that is both unique and highly coveted in today's game while the fact that he remains young for his grade, and may still be just growing into his body, creates optimism about future growth and development.

Brown, a southpaw playmaking lead guard, sits at the fourth spot while Proctor's Darion Jordan-Thomas rounds out the top five. The Massachusetts native is coming off another solid campaign at Proctor and on the verge of a potentially big spring for BABC as he appears to be the favorite to hold down a starting spot up front.

If Tilton's Eric Beckett is still under the radar it's because people aren't paying attention. His shot-making was on full display in the NEPSAC finals, he scores it in versatile ways, and is a better defender than he gets credit for.

Proctor's Mykel Derring started to emerge this season and could be on the verge of a breakout spring with BABC as his combination of athleticism and shot-making gives him a very intriguing tool set.

The top ten is rounded out by Kimbal Union stretch-four type Will Engelhardt and a pair of local products in Spaulding's Arie Breakfield  and Winnacunnet's Jack Schaake.

Click here to see the New Hampshire 2019 rankings in their entirety.