New England All-Star Challenge – Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Saturday, March 20th, 2010

The day’s festivities kicked off with the public school game featuring the top players New England has to offer.  P.J. Douglas stole the show with an onslaught of explosive finishes above the rim.  After a variety of tip dunks throughout the game, the Braintree senior put a punctuation mark on his team’s 112-105 victory with a one handed alley-oop slam off the glass. 

While Douglas took the MVP award with his highlight reel game and 22 points, guys like Dan Martin and Greg Kelley both impressed with their fundamental games.  Kelley finished with 17 points showing his typical array of fancy footwork and low post moves, while Martin finished with 14 points and 3 three-pointers.  Local fan favorite Ellis Cooper scored 15 points by getting out in transition and attacking with his dribble. 

The south team had a balanced scoring attack.  Tyler Olander had 14 points including a thunderous drop step dunk late in the fourth quarter.  Josh Turner led the way on the perimeter with 17 points utilizing his length and smooth skill set to consistently create his own shot.  Ishmael Kalilou and Mark Elliss finished with 15 and 10 points respectively.  Tyrus Weaver chipped in with 16 of his own.

Next up came the three-point shooting contest and this one went as expected as sharp-shooter Derek Retos took the title defeating Bentley bound guard Jasper Grassa in the final. 

The dunk contest was highlighted by more misses than makes but Denzel Brito came away with the championship, defeating P.J. Douglas in the final.  Some of the notable dunks included Jarrell Byrd jumping over Ryan Woumn to crack home his dunk, Chris Evans catching a two handed alley-oops off the glass, and Douglas clearing two kids out of the audience to throw home a home handed dunk. 

The final game of the day featured the prep/private game.  Both teams looked poised to share the ball and play unselfishly early on but things quickly loosened up allowing the players to get out in the open floor. 

The production was balanced for the north as Akeem Williams, Luke Matarazzo, and Anthony Ireland were all able to create some with their dribble while Jason Perrier and Allen Harris scored opportunistically from the wing with their drives and jumpers.  Meanwhile, Ike Azotam and Matt Barboza were able to put points on the board near the rim. 

Derek Retos and Denzel Brito picked up right where they left off with their three-point and dunk titles as Retos stroked threes in transition and Brito made a variety of athletic plays going to, and finishing above, the rim.  Chris Fitzgerald also made his fair share of shots while Chris Evans scored in double figures as well. 

The game came down to the final possession of regulation and when Ireland couldn't score in isolation the game went to overtime.  Matarazzo emerged as the top player in the extra period, draining a three and setting up a teammate to lead his team to the victory and earn MVP honors with 20 points and a handful of assists. 

Complete All-Star Rosters

Public School North

Jasper Grassa, Lynn Classical
P.J. Douglas, Braintree
Jarell Byrd, Braintree
Marco Banegas, O’Bryant
Joe OShea, Burlington
Ryan Woumn, Lynn English
Dan Martin, East Longmeadow
Ellis Cooper, Northampton
Mario Monroe, Brockton
Ryan Romich, Groton-Dunstable
Greg Kelley, Newton North

Public School South

Phil Gaetano, Sheehan
Tyrus Weaver, Windsor
Evan Kelley, Norwalk
Indiana Faithful, Cheverus
Jerome Parkins, Bridgeport Central
Nick Jobin, Westbrook
Jacob Moore, Hampden
Ishmael Kalilou, Windsor
Mark Ellis, Stamford
Denzel Jones, Bloomfield
Josh Turner, Sacred Heart
Tyler Olander, EO Smith

Prep School South

Greg Newton, Exeter
Luke Matarazzo, Choate
Jason Pierrer, Christian Heritage
Allen Harris, Suffield
Akeem Williams, Winchendon
Anthony Ireland, Winchendon
Matt Barboza, Marianapolis
Ike Azotam, Marianapolis
Alex Stoyle, Tilton
Will Bayliss, Tilton

Prep School North

Derek Retos, Brimmer & May
TaQuan Zimmerman, Putnam Science
Dominique Langston, St. Thomas More
Chris Evans, Taft
Denzel Brito, Lawrence Academy
Clancy Rugg, Northfield
Troy Robinson, Brimmer & May
Chris Fitzgerald, Northfield Mount Hermon
Braxton Gardner, Christian Heritage