HoopRootz Freshmen Focus: #NEHF Frontcourt Standouts
The Northeast Hoops Festival went down last weekend and we had the chance to take in a bunch of games in the Freshmen Division. Below are some front-court players who impressed in the games which we saw…
Chris Doherty - New England Playaz - Savage southpaw power forward played to rave-reviews in the Playaz Sophomore Showcase Games; scoring around the basket in a variety of ways on the interior and dominating the glass with force. Don't think there's any doubt that Doherty is a high-major prospect.
Arashma Parks - PSA Cardinals - Long-athletic big-man from Commonwealth Academy has undeniable talent and enticing long-term potential. Makes plays above the rim on both sides of the ball. May well be a player recruited at the highest level as he puts in all together.
Jake Glezen - New England Playaz - Talented big-man had a breakout game against the Rivals; showcasing a splendid array of old-school post-moves and commanding the boards to the tune of 18 points and 11 boards. One of the top bigs in New England's Class of 2018 heading into May.
Dakota Bertrand - SNH Saints - Trail 4-man with length and nice shooting-stroke knocked down threes by spotting up in-transition throughout the weekend for the Saints while averaging double-digits in the scoring column and on the glass with his inside-outside game. Works well with Britting on the pick and roll.
Mekhi Warren - Bouncy energy-forward has a cadillac motor in the lane at both ends. Scores in a variety of situations, makes plays at high-altitude, tracks down loose balls, changes shots,and rebounds with a purpose,
Victor Djoleto - SNH Saints - Long athletic combo-forward who guards all 5 position on the floor has really elevated his game over the past 2 events and came big in several games this weekend. Was acknowledge by his Coach as the Team Defensive MVP for the weekend after averaging 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Locks his side of the 2-3 zone with his length and energy and and is distruptive as the head-of-the-snake on the Saint's Press. His offensive game continues to come along as he looked good getting to the basket off the dribble and knocking down the 15-footer.
Nate Mehu - Wright Way Skills Academy- High-energy forward was a beast in the paint throughout the weekend; rebounding, blocking shots and finishing off the catch-and-finish, by getting a stickback on the offensive-glass, and in-transition. At this age, not many big guys can block a shot and be the first one down the court to finish in transition.
Mike Piazza - Middlesex Magic - Hard-nosed max-effort blue-collar forward does whatever it takes to get the job done; rebounding, defending and pursues loose-balls with supreme-urgency. Scores the ball around the basket and will knock down shots from the mid-range.
Danny Bekkenhuis - Big-strapping forward with nice low post moves; including an effective up-and-under which he used to score the ball on numerous occasions at the NEHF. Also put up points with his baseline-jumper while playing strong-defense and hitting the glass hard on both ends.
Lawrence Celeste - BOS - Monster on the glass. Plays bigger than his actual size. A double-double machine throughout the weekend for BOS at the NEHF.
Brett Ross- Middlesex Magic - Soft-touch forward shoots the ball well and can also step out and knock down shots from beyond the arc. Also goes to work with a nice arsenal of moves from the post.
Ian Smith- Middlesex Magic - Crafty big-man with a plethora of low post moves and a deadly base-line jumper. Defends the post well and hits the backboard hard at both ends.
Arashma Parks
Chris Doherty