Senior Stock Risers

New England Recruiting Report | Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

The high school and prep school seasons have now officially come to an end, and while we won’t release NERR’s final 2013 rankings until the completion of April’s various all-star games and other events for unsigned seniors, there were clearly some prospects that managed to improve their status, and consequently their ranking, in the final weeks of the season.  Here’s a look:

Duane Notice, St. Thomas More – It wasn’t necessarily that Notice brought his game to another level, so much as it was that he continued to maintain the same level that he’d been able to produce at since the beginning of the season.  His production was a big reason why St. Thomas More earned the top seed heading into the AAA tournament and made a run all the way to the conference finals.  Offers from the likes of Seton Hall and South Carolina have followed as a result.  

Martez Harrison, Brewster Academy – The Bobcats peaked at just the right time and went on a late game winning streak that culminated with a NEPSAC championship.  There was a direct correlation between the team’s winning streak and Harrison’s ascension up the backcourt depth chart, as he had taken firm control of the club’s point guard duties for Brewster’s stretch run.  Most impressive, was the way in which Harrison continued to improve, and consequently raise the level of his recruitment, at virtually every step along the way during his post-graduate season.    

Duncan Robinson, Phillips Exeter Academy – A year ago he was a relative unknown coming out of Governor’s Academy.  One year, two inches, and 20 pounds of muscle later now he’s a NEPSAC finals MVP and a huge steal for Williams College.  While the masses are wondering how a sharp-shooting six-foot-seven forward could have slipped through the scholarship cracks, the reality is that he jumped through, spurning scholarship offers for the top ranked liberal arts school and one of the most storied Division III basketball programs in the country.   

Gabe Levin, St. Thomas More – Much like Harrison, Levin’s recruitment followed a strictly linear path since his arrival on the New England prep school scene.  He ended up scoring scholarship offers as high as the Atlantic 10 but ultimately decided to join two of his STM teammates at Hofstra.  Last week’s dismissal of Pride head coach Mo Cassara leaves his future in some doubt though, since he hadn’t yet signed a National Letter of Intent.  If he decides to open it back up don’t be surprised to see more programs throw their hat in the ring.   

Anthony Dallier, Northfield Mount Hermon – Sometimes you can get so caught up in looking for potential that production doesn’t get the credit it is due.  Well, that could very well have been the case with Anthony Dallier, who may not be an incredibly explosive athlete or pure long-range shooter, but is still one heck of a basketball player.  Dallier’s super high basketball I.Q., versatility, and ability to rise to the occasion was a big reason why he was able to lead NMH to a National Prep Championship.  He may just be getting started in New Haven, as he’ll star at Yale for the next four years.

Chris Braley, Phillips Exeter Academy – His career and recruitment took similarly windy paths but when it was all said and done, Braley raised his game when it mattered most.  He was perhaps Exeter’s most consistent offensive threat this season, able to beat defenders with jumpers and drives alike, while also showing the toughness and hard-nosed floor game that will make him a good fit at Stony Brook next season.  Don’t be surprised if plenty of schools end up regretting that they let him slip away.    

Schadrac Casimir, Trinity Catholic – The state championship game might not have gone his way, but that doesn’t take away from what was a highly impressive senior season, and a great run through the state tournament.  Casimir emerged as one of the top scoring guards in the CIAC, not only putting up huge numbers, but also doing it in different ways.  He’s likely heading to South Kent for a post-graduate season next year, and if he proves himself capable of having similar success against top competition, his recruitment will take a significant jump.