HOF Championships – Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Saturday, April 16th, 2011

BasketBull’s Hall of Fame Championship Series is making their annual stop in Connecticut this weekend at Wesleyan University in Middletown.
 
Saturday’s action was highlighted by a late night match-up between BABC and the Mass Rivals in the sixteen-and-under division.  The game was hard-fought for all 32 minutes with BABC clinging to a slim lead for the first 24 minutes before utilizing a late second half run to ultimately pull away for a 55-42 win. 

Defense once again proved to be the key for the reigning national champions as they claimed their first victory of the night over the New England Playaz with unrelenting full court pressure leading to continuous run-outs.  Their match-up with the Rivals, the second lap of back to back games, proved to be a great stage for both teams as a variety of different players made big time plays.   

Nerlens Noel got things going with one of his trademark blocked shots, flying in to protect the rim and knocking the ball out of bounds but Noah Vonleh would strike back a few possessions later as he cupped a hook dunk in just as Noel elevated to contest. 

On the opposite end Wayne Selden would get into the act, rising up for a potential one handed dunk only to be met by contact but still having the athleticism and power to recover in mid-air to lay the ball in.  Jared Terrell would make a highlight finish of his own at the opposite end, eluding both Selden and Noel while in mid-air to convert a double clutch finish off the glass. 

The next highlight reel play came care of Andrew Chrabascz and this particular play proved to be a back-breaker, coming in the midst of BABC’s second half run.  Located in the middle of BABC’s full court pressure, Chrabascz shot up the middle of the court to pick off a pass at the top of the key and simultaneously flew at the rim with a single dribble before rising up for a two handed flush with authority. 

Here is a look at some of the other players who stood out on Saturday:

Ricardo Ledo, Expressions Elite – The junior star put his team on his back down the stretch vs. the Albany City Rocks, carrying them to a come from behind victory in the game’s final six minutes. 

Sean Obi, Academic Basketball Club – The young big man showed power and aggression, bullying people on the low post and making a series of drop-step moves to score through contact. 

Marcus Willingham, Lone Wolf – He did his best damage going to the rim but hit a huge three-pointer late in the game to steal an overtime victory for the boys from Vermont. 

Zach Lewis, CT Select – He scored a game high 21 points over the Rhode Island Hawks, taking advantage of his single defender to get to the basket at will and also earn numerous trips to the free-throw line. 

Al Torrens, CT Gold – The future Cheshire Academy post-grad impressed not just with his quickness attacking the basket, but also with the I.Q. to back-cut when overplayed. 

Kurt Steidl, CBC – The sophomore played a well balanced floor game, scoring 14 points while also crashing the glass with good results and passing efficiently. 

Tyler McFarland, Maine MAC – He put up 25 points in his first game of the day with a series of short jumpers off the dribble combined with his typical strong finishes inside the paint. 

Marty Lewis, CT Hoop Dreams – A new name emerged as this St. Paul’s guard exploded behind the three-point line, going 9-13 in his team’s first win of the day. 

Robert Lewis, RI Hawks – The senior turned in his latest impressive performance with 24 points coming against the Connecticut Kingz showing a combination of strong drives and open jumpers. 

James Jennings, CT Elite – Undersized but still powerful, Jennings made a series of contested pull-ups in the lane and then showed off deceptive finishing ability at the rim with his strength and dexterity. 

Ryan DiBernardo, BasketBull – A heady swingman with a good feel for the game, DiBernardo made shots from behind the arc and made good use of both jab steps and shot fakes. 

Stefon Williams, RI Hawks – An athletic southpaw, Williams put points on the board with a quick first step facing-up and bouncy repertoire of moves with his back to the basket. 

Trevon Perry, Holy Cross – The Holy Cross forward was at his best around the glass using his quick bounce and nose for the ball to rebound in traffic and score a variety of points around the rim. 

Rony Fernandez, Metro Boston – He impressed early with his passing and ability to create tempo and later got going with his trademark southpaw daggers from behind the three-point line.