HoopRootz: NEPSAC Frosh Report

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, February 1st, 2015

Freshman swing-guard A.J. Reeves of Boston has been electric in stretches so far this season for Brimmer & May, scoring in bunches and making a number of highlight reel plays. Reeves made the All-Tournament Team at the St Andrews Holiday Tournament and his strongest-game of the season to-date came against a powerful MacDuffie squad as he finished with 21 points in front of a crowd littered with college coaches. Look for Reeves to continue to raise the level of his game rapidly as 2015 moves along. Reevs is currently the #1 Ranked Freshman in New England by NERR.

After a modest-start to the season, jump-start freshman floor-general Shandon Brown has come alive over the last few games for Beaver Country Day, coming through with a sensational performance at the Ballas TV Invitational in which he scored 13 and made plays all over the floor in a tight loss to Hoosac. Then, this past weekend in a showdown against Brooks at the BABC Prep Classic, Brown was a catalyst in the clutch to spark the Beavers to a 2-point win which extends their record to 6-4 heading into the week. His role will only increase as the season goes along.

Belmont Hill freshmen David Mitchell and Jovan Jones have provided a real-jolt to a Hillies squad which is off to a tremendous 10-3 start to the season. The long-southpaw Mitchell has drawn much-praise for the versatility he brings to the table as he has chalked up stat columns consistently in addition to getting into double-digits scoring the ball on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, Jones has shown his ability to score the ball in multiple ways while providing toughness on the defensive perimeter.

Northfield Mount Hermon made headlines this weekend as they pulled off back-to-back wins over a pair of powerful foes in New Hampton and Brewster Academy. The Hoggers are 14-4 on the season and proved this weekend that they are among the best teams in the country. NMH has three freshmen on the roster who are gaining invaluable experience playing on a John Carroll-coached squad of such talent, depth, and prestige. Wing-scorer Calvin Whipple has had a number of nice games, including a 13-point performance in a win over Deerfield. Southpaw forward Charles Hannah is holding down a spot in a Hogger front-court stable which features the likes of Aaron Falzon, AJ Brodeur, Tomas Murphy, Colin McManus and more. And floor-general Akiel Shakoor has seen time at the point where is part of talented group of floor general led by the tandem of Daquon Ervin and Jashanti Allen.

Freshman combo-guard Tyler Aronson has been getting steady minutes playing both back-court spots in a loaded Rivers School back-court which features Jermaine Samuels, Azar Swain, and Jamari Venter. His production has steadily increased over the course of the young season and recently had a big-game in a win over Middlesex in which he scored in double-figures and showcased his explosiveness as he made plays all over the floor, including a two-hand bang which broke down the gym.The Red Wings are 7-6 out of the gate having played a very strong schedule and are on the rise heading into the last stretches of the season as they attempt to  make a run at defending their ISL Crown and make a run at the NEPSAC Class A Championship. Look for Aronson's role & production continue to continue to increase as the season plays out.

Freshman swing-man Cole Swider has been very impressive playing a complimentary role for a St. Andrews ball-club which has which is plentiful with depth on the perimeter. Swider has size length, pure scoring ability and the chance to be a big-time prospect as he gets quicker and continues to sprout up and lengthen out.

Freshman big-man Martin Mann has been a a big part of the front-line for Lawrence Academy as he follows the prospect trail blazed by his Florida State-bound brother Terence. Martin is an impact player who scores in multiple ways,rebounds, and protects the basket. Mann is currently the #10 Ranked Freshman in New England by NERR.

In addition to the players above, additional freshmen who have made noise on the varsity-level this season include Tyler Burton, who is a perimeter prospect to watch at Marianapolis, Sebastijan Skoko, who is in his second year in the back-court for Roxbury, Will Greer, a high-IQ fundamental wing also from RL, and Jay Symonds, who has made himself a known commodity in the ISL off the bat both on the gridiron and hardwood.