MA & NH All-Star Games – Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, March 21st, 2010

The Rockingham Athletic Club and MA & NH High School Basketball Report hosted the first ever MA & NH High School All-Star Games on Sunday night.  The event featured eight different games featuring underclassmen and junior games for both boys and girls in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Here is a look at who set themselves apart:

New Hampshire Underclassmen Standouts

Javon Williams, Nashua HS North – Williams has physical tools beyond the rest of his peers with a powerful body and explosive athleticism, and he made some big time plays on Sunday night showing a euro-step move in the open floor and heating up from behind the three-point line including one from NBA range.  He scored a team high 29 points

Kaleb Joseph, Nashua HS South – Joseph’s body isn’t anywhere near as developed as Williams but once his long frame fills out he is going to be a major player.  There wasn’t much he didn’t show from a skill standpoint as he handled the ball, showed a good looking jumper, and played extremely unselfishly throughout the game.  He scored only six points but he and Williams were the top two prospects without question. 

Demitri Floras, Merrimack HS – Young guard showed great feel for the game to go along with well developed skill set.  He handled and passed in the open floor, took the ball off the defensive glass and led the break, and was very crafty getting to the rim. 

Devin Gilligan, Souhegan HS – Scored a game high 30 points by dominating on the interior.  Whether it was catching the ball deep or going hard to the rim, Gilligan was consistently able to get to the rim and finish plays. 

Others

•  Ryan Gauthier (Nashua North) was good with the ball and made some nice finds
•  Jim Tomaswick (Alvirne) is a big man who is long and mobile
•  Curtis Arsenault (Berlin) dropped 21 points on a series of strong moves
•  Mike Auger (Hopkinton) has a strong body and goes to the rim like a bull
•  Brad Holler (Exeter) shot it well and made the extra pass with intelligence
•  Anthony Muccioli (Nashua South) elevated for pull-ups & went to the cup for 16 points
•  Skyler Mitchell (Coe-Brown) ducked into the post well and scored inside for 11 points

New Hampshire Junior Standouts

David Madol, Trinity HS – He’s grown into his body since the last time we saw him and was definitely a step quicker.  He was the game’s high scorer, making a variety of athletic plays to the rim and finishing several with dunks including one tremendous tip-dunk when jumping from the opposite side of the rim.  Madol was also handling in the open floor, a threat from the three-point line, and all over the offensive glass. 

Mike Mitchell, Milford HS – If assists were being counted he would have been the leader by far.  He seemingly had eyes all around his head and was just as effective finding teammates in the open floor as he was the half court set. 

Connor Green, Bishop Guertin – He knocked down a couple of open shots from long range and made a few dribble drives as well, but did his best work on the offensive glass, showing some great body control on a couple of crafty put-backs. 

Jamie Holder, Milford – Saved his best for last, knocking down back to back three-pointers to seal the win for his team and top the 20 point plateau.  Holder also made some nice cuts away from the ball and showed some deceptive athleticism. 

Others

•  John Wickey (Manchester Central) rebounded in high volume and showed skills
•  Steve Spirou (Pelham) played unselfishly and made a variety of nice finds
•  Shomari Morgan (Manchester Memorial) made a number of strong drives
•  Morgan Faustino (Dover) got second chance points, and finished with both hands
•  Joey Maher (Bedford) rebounded in traffic & scored with both hands at basket
•  Ben Hill (Pittsfield) has made considerable strides on both ends of the floor

Massachusetts Underclassmen Standouts

Noah Vonleh, Haverhill HS – In a game that featured many of the top young players in New England, Vonleh left little doubt about who the top player on the floor was.  He went for a game high 31 points doing just about everything – hitting 3’s, creating off the dribble, spinning through defenders, scoring on the glass, and finishing above the rim.  Just a dominating performance from start to finish. 

Ramone Gibbons, Charlestown HS – He combines great quickness with a super strong body and a tight handle to create off the dribble at will.  He went left as well as he went right and created for himself and others for all 40 minutes.  He finished with 24 points and a handful of assists. 

Josh Downes, Sandwich HS – Downes quietly finished with 27 points without being a focal point of the offense.  He was at his best in transition where he was exceptionally smooth getting to the rim and finishing.  He finished equally well in the half court set and also made shots from the mid-range and in. 

Colin Richey, Whitinsville Christian – While not flashy by any stretch of the imagination, Richey was extremely efficient.  He made great decisions with the ball, showed a terrific apprehension for the game, found his teammates for open shots, and perfected a two foot runner to score enough points himself to keep defenders honest. 

Others

•  Jaquille Taylor (Cambridge) showed signs of his tremendous potential on both ends
•  Maurice Taylor (Cambridge) made a name for himself with his point forward potential
•  Stephen Haladyna (St. John’s Prep) had a big second half and finished with 13 points
•  Derek Collins (North Andover) caught fire in the second half scoring 13 of his 18 points
•  Akosa Maduegbunam (Charlestown) slashed explosively and elevated for pull-ups
•  Ryan Perron (North Attleboro) made the most of his looks and stroked 3's
•  Wayne Selden (O’Bryant) showed flashes with powerful dunks and drives

Massachusetts Junior Standouts

Pat Connaughton, St. John’s Prep – This season Connaughton made a name for himself with his ability to score and rebound the ball in high volume and stroke shots from the three-point line, today he stood out with his athleticism as he threw down a variety of explosive dunks to go along with his trademark long-ball jumpers. 

Zach Auguste, Marlboro – It wasn’t necessarily a dominating performance from the six-foot-eight forward but it was clear that he was the most talented prospect on the floor as he made a few plays that screamed of his long term potential including an 18 foot pull-up after crossing through his legs and several finishes combining his length, touch, and athleticism. 

Pat Gooden, Belchertown – Gooden seized an opportunity to prove his worth against a high level of competition and shot the ball extremely well from the perimeter, draining threes both when spotting up and when coming off screens. 

Joe Bramanti, Andover – While not necessary as blinding quick as some slashers, Bramanti was consistently able to create off the dribble as he used his strong body to carry defenders on his back and was a threat to pull-up from virtually anywhere as his mid-range game was lethal.   

Others

•  Tevin Falzon (Newton North) scored inside and out for a total of 12 points
•  Zach Hurynowicz (Burlington) was tough and heady down stretch 
•  Cedric Kuakumensah (North) attacked off the dribble, ran the floor, and blocked shots
•  Mack Burt (St. John’s) made good use of his opportunities to score 15 points
•  Anthony Barry (Milford) was aggressive & athletic off the dribble