Prep Profile – Hotchkiss School

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, October 29th, 2009

The Hotchkiss School advanced to the semi-finals of the Class B tournament last year before ultimately falling to the eventual champions, the Tilton School.  This year Hotchkiss hopes to take the next step, or perhaps the next two steps, as they are certainly one of the top contenders for the Class B crown. 

Once again they’ll be led by their dynamic backcourt as Jason Morris and Derrick Wilson return for their senior and junior seasons respectively.  They will be joined by Hotchkiss’ latest potential star on the perimeter, sophomore Clyde Smith.  Together, they form as imposing of a perimeter trio as there is in Class B. 

Morris is a four year senior who was the first piece of the puzzle for Hotchkiss when they began to upgrade their basketball program several years back. Since that time he’s developed into one of the most exciting players in the entire country with his explosive athleticism and ability to play high above the rim.  We fully expect his last year in New England to be a big one as he looks to lead his team to a NEPSAC crown. 

While Morris may very well be the player who got this program going initially, it is Wilson who makes the team go now.  As tough as he is powerful, Wilson has also been at Hotchkiss since his freshman year.  During that time we’ve seen him progress from simply a physical slasher to a versatile and skilled guard who can run the team or create his own offense in a number of different ways.  He’s arguably the most physically imposing guard in New England and the top point guard in Class B. 

Smith is the latest highly talented guard to arrive in Lakeville and he certainly has the potential to do big things.  Already the team’s best long range shooter, Smith is far from one dimensional and can also create some with his dribble, see the floor, and pass effectively.  He’ll play a complimentary role to Morris and Wilson this year, but is the unquestioned star of the future. 

With all of the firepower on the perimeter it is easy to forget about the big man inside, but Hotchkiss also features one of the league’s best five-men.  Monty Brown returns for his second season as a senior and provides an inside-out presence who can score on the block or step out and stretch the defense. 

Rounding out the starting line-up is expected to be six-foot-eight senior Ron Schruerfer who also doubles as quarterback of the school’s football team.  The two sport star has been a consistent staple of the basketball team for several years now and provides a rugged interior presence in addition to a big man with an impressive skill set facing the basket. 

Michael Rogers and Emi Bassaw are two other forwards who figure to be prominent pieces of the team’s second unit.  Rogers is a long and skilled player from the Bahamas who returns for his second season and provides value with his ability to stretch the defense with his shooting range.  Meanwhile, Bassaw is an athletic and active interior player who is an ideal fit in the team’s pressing and running style.  Six-foot-three junior Zach Matthews also promises to contribute off the bench. 

Ultimately, the Hotchkiss program has steadily improved in each of the last four seasons, bringing them to the current 2009-2010 season where all the pieces appear to be in place to make a legitimate run at the NEPSAC Class B crown.