Plenty of Changes in Mass 2013

New England Recruiting Report | Friday, May 20th, 2011

It’s been a long time since rankings were last updated in Massachusetts’ class of 2013 and lots has changed with players like Jared Terrell, Andrew Chrabascz, and Aaron Calixte having taken their game to new levels while others have failed to develop at the same rate. 

The one thing that hasn’t changed is the class’ top ranked prospect and that’s Noah Vonleh.  The six-foot-seven forward put up big numbers this year at Haverhill and has continued to add new weapons to his arsenal this spring with schools like Duke and Kentucky taking notice. 

The race for the second spot is as close as it gets.  No one in the class has been more consistently productive this spring than Terrell but Rene Castro has a long history of producing against the highest levels of competition and has been playing big minutes and putting up solid numbers through two sessions at the EYBL.  Ultimately, this is a question that has yet to be determined and so we’re going to hold off on making any changes until after the summer but it may be only a matter of time until Terrell takes over as his skills begin to catch up with his terrific motor and physical gifts. 

Sitting in the fourth spot is Jaylen Brantley, who has been equally solid through the EYBL schedule thus far.  A sharp-shooting point guard who appears virtually impervious to pressure at times, Brantley is automatic when his feet are set from long range and as steady of a decision maker as you’ll find. 

Rounding out the top five is Cushing Academy’s Chrabascz who has used the last six months to set himself apart from the rest of the frontcourt prospects in the class with sheer productivity.  While another two inches and some extra bounce have stretched his upside, Chrabascz flat out gets things done on the court and knows how to win games. 

Sixth ranked DeKeeba Battee starts a list of big men who are still working to capitalize on their obvious long term potential.  The six-foot-eight power forward has all the physical tools for the highest level with a strong frame, good athleticism, and a terrific motor and has also extended his shooting range since arriving at NMH. 

Ikemefuna Ngwudo has the size, length, and bounce to produce inside the paint during the high school season but has used the beginning of the grassroots season to demonstrate emerging perimeter skills that could eventually help him take his game to the wing. 

Another guy who has shown well this spring is Brimmer & May forward John Powell.  An incredibly long six-foot-seven lefty with easy mobility, his production is just starting to catch up with his potential in recent weeks and his ranking on the rise as a result.

Jacquil Taylor and Nate Anderson round out the list of talented young big men in the class.  Taylor’s physical tool set leaves virtually nothing left to be desired and that’s why he sits in the ninth spot while Anderson is another guy with the capability to rise up the list in coming weeks. 

Brimmer & May guard Jake Fay is a similar type prospect in the backcourt in that he is still far from a finished product but has tools you can’t teach with tremendous size for his position, good athleticism, and the ability to make shots in bunches from behind the three-point line. 

Jumping up to seize the final spot in the rankings is Stoughton’s Calixte who is a powerful lead guard that has taken his game to another level this month, proving himself as both a scorer and distributor.