MA & NH Report All-Star Games – Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, March 20th, 2011

The Massachusetts and New Hampshire High School Basketball Report held their second annual all-star game on Sunday night, playing host to the top freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from the two states.  Here’s a look at who stood out during the action: 

Juniors – Top Prospects

Akosa Maduegbunam, Charlestown – His jumper has become a weapon as Maduegbunam shoots a soft ball with great backspin from deep range, but don’t sleep on his athleticism or he’ll rise up to throw down some explosive finishes as he did at one point in the second half. 

Javon Williams, Nashua North – The talent is undeniable for this guard with a powerful body, good looking shooting stroke, and super quick cross but consistency will be key down the stretch to see if he can turn potential into production. 

Adam Bramanti, Masconomet – His style game doesn’t always show well in this type setting as he is a heady and skilled guard who is at his best in structure, but his frame was noticeably stronger than it was this fall as his body is starting to catch up with the rest of his game.
 
• Steve Haladyna, St. John’s Prep – sheer winner with great motor & improved scoring
• Zach Karalis, North Andover – scored in transition and by making shots coming off screens
• Kenny Reed, Reading – attacking guard who carries defenders on his back en route to rim
• Kevin LaFrancis, Acton-Boxboro – lefty likes contact, battles inside, & rebounds in traffic
• Jim Tomaswick, Alvirne – sturdy big who faced up for little runners when given a chance
• Brad Holler, Bishop Fenwick – shot maker with deep range who played with chip on shoulder
• Jerry Ellis-Williams, Reading – big who finishes soft and shows glimpses running court

Sophomores – Top Prospects

Noah Vonleh, Haverhill – Consistent development continues to be the theme for Vonleh.  As usual he made a few highlight reel plays that no one else in the gym could have made, but the most notable development was a cleaner release on his deep jumper. 

Jared Terrell, Weymouth – He goes to the rim like a runaway dump truck, charging full steam ahead with his strong body and daring defenders to come into his path.  Hands down the best open floor player there was at the event. 

Dimitri Floras, Merrimack – Attacking lead guard who loves to play off the bounce and does his best damage with his hesitation move.  His mid-range pull-up was most impressive showing an ability to stop quickly and get nice loft and touch on his ball. 

Malik James, Brighton – It was our first look at this young guard and we came away impressed with his instincts at the point as he has good vision and poise, understands how to distribute the ball, but is still capable of creating a shot when no receivers are available. 

Aaron Calixte, Stoughton – A power guard with a long frame, Calixte has the physical tools to dominate opposing guards in his peer group.  Add that to an improved jumper and you have a recipe for a much improved player. 

Travis Descoteaux, Trinity – He turned in as efficient of a performance as there was in the sophomore game, using a polished handle to play through contact, get himself to the rim, or into his pull-up game where he was a threat to 22 feet. 

Derek Collins, North Andover – Content to bomb away from long range early in the game, Collins demonstrated his shooting stroke early only to come back with his dribble drive game later on in the day. 

• Cornelius Tyson, S. Central – Has variety of tools & at his best when making simple plays
• Malcolm Smith, Cheverus – athletic with bright future once he learns to utilize physical tools
• Jonathan Perez, Lowell – power guard with bulldog physique who bullied his way to bucket
• Max Goveia, Campbell – scrappy point who plays strong with the ball and snaps his passes
• Tank Robertson, Pittsfield – spark plug with high motor and great wheels on both ends
• Majeck Wenyin, Manchester Memorial – long wing with upside and made shots from arc
• Dominic Paradis, Spaulding – got lots done with high motor and emerging face-up game
• Mabor Gabriel, Trinity – made a couple of plays screaming of his long term potential
• Andrew Ruffen, Salem – shot maker with quick/compact stroke and deep range
• Zoubel Iradukunda, Memorial – long athlete with great economy of motion to rim
• Joel Barroa, Central Catholic – strong body at wing with emerging perimeter skill set

Freshmen – Top Prospects

Patrick Benzan, Roxbury Latin – Would have been our MVP choice in the freshmen game as he had the ball on a string with his handle, constantly getting himself into the lane and making plays for himself and his teammates with his bounce. 

Jalen Adams, Melrose – A super smooth guard who played with both the sophomores and the juniors, Adams gets wherever he wants with his dribble and is a consistent jumper away from being a big time scorer in the backcourt. 

Aaron Falzon, Newton North – Undeniably one of the top prospects in the game, Falzon showed flashes with turn-around jumpers and mini hooks on the block as well as long outlet passes that were on the money to fuel the break. 

Shane Farley, Burlington – He caught our attention early and held it throughout the game showing a solid floor game, tight and compact handle, and a variety of good scoring moves with and without the ball in his hands. 

Nick Cambio, Central Catholic – Good looking young forward with the size and strength to be productive in the paint and emerging face-up skills on the perimeter, handling and passing a little bit in the open floor and stretching to the arc with his shot. 

Richard Santos, Whitinsville Christian – Has a unique understanding of how to run a team for a young player – handles with both hands, plays strong with the ball, distributes, sets good screens, and knows how to play.  

• Drew Belcher, Reading – developing forward progressing nicely inside and on the glass
• Eric Gendron, Merrimack – Started break off glass & showed touch on runners around rim
• Brendan Miller, North Andover – moved well off ball and showed some deceptive bounce
• Trevon Betts, Weymouth – quick guard who gets where he wants & makes extra pass
• Colin McManus, Bedford – young big runs well, passes, and has sturdy frame
• Liam Bruno, Newton North – very sound fundamentally and smooth en route to rim
• Christian Morneweck, Burlington – showed impressive footwork and pick n’pop 15 footer
• Christian LaRoche, St. Bernard’s – sharp-shooting guard with range and quick trigger