Hoop Mountain Fall Classic - Event Recap

by Steve Enright | Friday, September 24th, 2010

The Hoop Mountain Fall Classic took place last night at Mass Premier Courts in Mansfield. A large variety of Division II and Division III coaches were on hand to witness what several of New England’s finest high school players had to offer. Players in all four classes – 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014 – from all over New England battled it out for the college and prep coaches scattered around the gym. Here’s who caught our eye:

Class of 2011

Jereme Good 6’7 SF Taft School: This long athletic wing from the Taft school showed his versatility, scoring in a variety of ways. For a kid his size, Good did well putting the ball on the floor and beating defenders off the dribble.

Isaac Medeiros 6’5 PF Johnston HS: Isaac caught the eye of coaches with his bruising physical play and dominance on the boards at both ends. The Rhode Island native also showed the ability to secure defensive rebounds, put the ball on the floor, and lead the break.

John King 6’5 SG The Prout School: John is a long wing who showed a great basketball IQ and a willingness to compete. He knocked down several long balls throughout the event and proved to be potent from 3 pt range.

Matt Kneece 6’8 C Shrewsbury HS: The big from Shrewsbury showed a rapidly developing skill set and was great with his back to the basket. He does a great job receiving the ball and passing it to cutting guards or open shooters from the high post.

Jared Fay 6-3 SG Brimmer and May School: Fay knocked down several 3’s and did a great job aggressively attacking the rim. He has a quick first step and uses his body to finish with contact. He takes pride on the defensive end and works hard on the ball.

Oscar Assie 6’7 PF St. Joseph HS: Assie caught the attention of onlookers with thunderous dunks on the offensive end and big rejections on the defensive end throughout the night. He’s a big body with an improving skill set whos best basketball is still in front of him.

OShawn Banniseter 6’8 PF/C Weaver HS: Bannister is a wide bodied post player who was solid around the rim at both ends of the floor. He used his length to alter shots and was dominant on the offensive boards.

Dante Gomes 6’2 PG/SG Burrilville HS: Gomes was solid from 3 point range, pulling up from deep range and knocking down shots both off the dribble and off the catch. Dante proved to be a dangerous scoring point guard who does his best work with the ball in his hands.

Andre King, 6'0 G Suffield Academy: The versatile playmaker was attacking at will in the up and down game and showing off his full offensive arsenal in the process.  King scored points in high volume while also setting up teammates for easy shots. 

Class of 2012

Damien McClendon 6’1 Weaver HS: McClendon showed superior athleticism in every game with thunderous dunks and acrobatic finishes. He is dangerous off the bounce and would freeze his defenders with quick dribble moves and changes of directions.

Shaquille Ricketts 6’3 PG/SG Weaver HS: Ricketts is a scoring guard who is extremely dangerous off the bounce and in transition. He had several blow bys, and used his superior athleticism and body control to finish over bigs collapsing to help.

Patrick Degnan 6’3 SG/SF Narraganset HS: Degnan is a kid who stood out with his ability to do the little things. He has a nose for the ball, rebounds well for his size, and works hard on the defensive end. He is a great help defender and has a high IQ. Offensively, he does his best work off the dribble and finishes strong inside.

Ed Lawrence 7’1 C Canterbury School: Lawrence is huge presence in the paint. His sheer size is enough to catch anybodys eye. Although raw now, Ed did a great job altering shots, collecting defensive boards, finding the outlet, and running in transition.

Kevin Trotman 6-4 SG Taft School: Trotman is a solid wing with a good basketball IQ. He has good size and strength for the perimeter, works hard on both ends of the floor, and is at his best offensively when utilizing his smooth mid-range game. 

Class of 2013

Jake Fay 6’5 SG Brimmer and May School: Jake is a pure shooter with deep range. He fires if given any space at all and can score in bunches. He moves well without the ball and does a good job getting himself open to catch and shoot.

Cane Broome 5’11 PG East Hartford HS: Broome proved to be one of the top point guards at the event with his playmaking ability. He handles the ball on a string, is a dynamic passer, and can score in bunches.

Josh Jones 5’11 PG Hope HS: Jones is a scoring point guard who is at his best attacking the rim. He is physically strong and can finish with contact, and is aggressive on the defensive end.

Ben Andrews 6’0 SG Exeter West Greenwich HS: Ben is a great 3 point shooter who consistently knocked down the long ball throughout the event. On the defensive end, he is great on the ball and does a great job moving his feet to cut off the dribble drive.

Victor Udoji 6’2 SG BC HS: Udoji is a long athletic athletic lefty who can score the ball. He pulls up well off the dribble and has a solid mid range game. His best basketball is still in front of him.

Malique McClaren 5’5 PG BC High: The pint-sized point guard did a great job handling the ball and making plays for his teammates. He can shoot the three and is crafty getting to the rim.

Colin Richey 6’0 PG Whitensville Christian School: Richey is a heady point guard who doesn’t make mistakes. He keeps his head up in transition and finds his teammates. Colin is an assist machine and scores the ball very efficiently.

Jonnie Spears 5’8 PG Georgetown HS: Spears impressed us with his speed and quickness. He was great in transition and showed the ability to create for his teammates.

Class of 2014

Brian Mukasa 5’9 PG Sharon HS: Brian is a quick lefty point guard with good quickness and bounce. He’s a streaky shooter who can get hot, but is at his best going to the rim. Defensively, he uses  his length to pick up a lot of steals.

Levy Gillespie Jr. 6’0 PG Capital Prep: Gillespie is an excellent young point guard who already shows a complete offensive game. He’s great with the ball in his hands, makes plays for his teammates, and scores in bunches.