New England Elite 75 Showcase – Top Underclassmen

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Friday, August 15th, 2008

Anthony Jernigan – People rave about his potential at the lead guard position and you can see why. Jernigan was a magician with the ball. He was able to keep defenders off balance and get teammates the ball for easy shots. The knock on him had been his jump shot which looks to have vastly improved, with proof from a few pull up jumpers that were right on the money.  All in all…the youngest point guard in the gym may have been the best. 

Michael LaPlante – The Rhode Island native looked good in transition as he finished around the rim pretty well. What could have sealed off his performance was a baseline one handed power dunk that fell short, but would have easily had the crowd in a frenzy. With three more years left at St. Andrew’s, his number one ranking in Rhode Island was without a doubt justified.

Fred Wilson – Efficient is the word to best describe Wilson’s performance.  He made good decisions on the offensive end, took what the defense gave him, and made a series of beautiful interior passes off the dribble that resulted in easy lay-ups for his teammates. Definitely one of the top five distributors in the gym on Thursday. 

Javon McCrea – It was two years ago at the first Elite 75 Showcase, that Orion Outerbridge became an overnight hit.  This year it was McCrea.  Although he will be a junior at Lexington High School next year, he is only 15 years old and likely to make another year up somewhere along the way.  With his size and speed he was able to beat other big men down the floor for transition baskets. While still a bit raw, his toughness around the basket was second to none as he fought for every loose ball that was in his vicinity.

Mike Carter-Williams – He showed he was up to the challenge of playing with the big boys as he was stroking it from behind the three-point line, being very smooth off the dribble, and finishing inside with agility.  The only thing that held him back was a lack of physical strength.  Once his body fills out his upside is very high. 

Alex Murphy – The only prospect in the class of 2012 who was invited to the showcase, Murphy appears to have grown another inch since we last saw him.  While he probably could have been more aggressive looking for his own shot, his upside is unquestioned.  One of the nation’s best in 2012. 

Tyler McFarland - The rising sophomore from Maine was a late addition to the field after shining at last week's Five Star Camp.  But he proved his worth as he was smooth, if not explosive off the dribble, while also showing a nice mid-range shooting touch.  He's certainly a player we expect to hear more from over the next three years. 

Jared Johnson & Victor Aytche - The future is certainly bright at Springfield Central High School.  With the young duo intact for the next three years, the foundation is set for what could be one of the MIAA's best before it is all said and done.