Northeast Hoops Festival – Friday Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Friday, April 8th, 2011

East Coast Elite scored a dramatic come from behind victory over the Rising Stars of Long Island to highlight Friday night’s action at the Northeast Hoops Festival. 

B.J. Davis nailed a buzzer beating three-pointer to cap a ferocious second half comeback and force overtime and ECE wouldn’t be denied in the extra period, solidifying their win and taking the early lead in their pool. 

Laurent Firlotte provided the first half spark for ECE as he made shots from both the top of the key while also stretching to the three-point arc.  The Hopkins swingman also came up big in the second half, jumping into a passing lane and converting an off-balance lay-up at the other end in the midst of ECE’s run. 

Josh Feshback led the way for the Rising Stars, showing a college ready body and sharp handle to run the show for his team while also creating his own offense. 

Billy Murphy, Victor Joshua, Lucas Hausman, and Kenny Armstrong all made positive plays for East Coast Elite.  Murphy demonstrated the skilled inside-out game that has made him such an intriguing college prospect while Joshua showed his length and creativity in the backcourt.  The sharp-shooting Hausman has taken the next step in his physical development with a stretched and broadened frame.  Armstrong is a long and bouncy wing player with a high motor on both ends of the floor. 

Friday Night’s Other Standouts

Levy Gillespie Jr. – CBC’s u15 squad opened their weekend with a commanding win on Friday and while a number of guys were able to get going in the scoring column it was Gillespie who was the maestro distributing the ball.  A big lead guard who is plenty capable putting the ball in the basket himself, Gillespie was content to create for others. 

Alex Gendelman – Before going down with a knee injury early in the second half, Gendelman was the standout for the Academic Basketball Club, showing obviously leadership skills and standout talent on a team that is much improved from a year ago.  Gendelman eclipsed the 20 point plateau early in the second half and had coaches in the gym buzzing. 

Zach Askew – Another year has brought at least another inch, about 15 pounds of muscle, and a more powerful interior arsenal for Askew.  He showed a complete repertoire of interior moves while also demonstrating his mobility and athleticism in the open court by getting loose for some tremendous dunks. 

Ben Andrews – A sparkplug for the New England Cyclones, Andrews was an absolute menace on the defensive end, imposing intense ball pressure, jumping into passing lanes, and making a variety of plays leading to run-outs and easy scores in transition. 

Sean McNally – If Andrews was the defensive catalyst for the Cyclones, McNally held that title on the offensive end.  The sophomore is a skilled face-up four-man who can stretch the defense out to 20 feet but also face the basket and attacking with his dribble penetration. 

Arkel Miles & Connor Macomber – This inside-out tandem was versatile and efficient for the Connecticut Gold.  Macomber is an attacking lead guard who puts immediate pressure on the defense while Miles has the size and strength to produce in the paint but the southpaw skills to extend to the perimeter.