Magic win Mass AAU State Championship

New England Recruiting Report | Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

The Middlesex Magic won the 17u Massachusetts AAU state championship on Sunday, the club's third in the last four years.

Their latest championship run required an undefeated triple-header on Sunday as they knocked off New England Storm, South Shore Wolfpack and Boston Warriors in succession to win the championship.

Matt DeWolf was the defensive catalyst throughout the weekend and particularly impactful in the finals as he came away with 16 points and 15 rebounds to win MVP honors. Middlesex Magic head coach Michael Crotty Jr. credited his big man's "improved strength, conditioning and consistency on both ends of the floor" for his MVP effort.

Joe Bell and Brendan Hoban, two players that began the spring playing with Magic Giordano, were both impressive for the second consecutive weekend playing for Crotty's squad. Hoban, who was named first team all-tournament at the NERR Super 16, continued to show his uncanny ability to make big shots, scoring in double figures in all three games, but also slid over to the point to run the team successfully for stretches.

Bell, who was also impressive a week earlier, was the team's top perimeter defender again this weekend, defending the opposing team's best player in every game while also utilizing his strength and explosion to be the team's second leading rebounder on the weekend. He had 18 points and 8 rebounds in the quarterfinal win over the Storm.

Brandon Twitty and Matt Donahue, two players who have been offensive anchors for the Magic all spring long, also continued to play well. Twitty led the team in scoring throughout the weekend, putting in 18 in the final game and continuing to do his best work with his mid-range pull-up and floater game, but also creating offense for his teammates off the dribble.

Donnahue was the spark plug in the semi-final win over the Wolfpack, knocking down five three-pointers and finishing with 19 points, while also putting the ball on the floor to attack close-outs. He also played well a week earlier at the NERR Super 16 and Crotty noted that Donahue's recent string of productivity has coincided with the team's success over the last two weeks.

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