Super 16 Showcase – u16 Recap

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Connecticut Basketball Academy went 2-0 on the day defeating Lone Wolf and the Philadelphia Patriots.  Laquan Mendenhall, and Brandon Sherod paced the team throughout the action.  Sherod was at his best against the Patriots, when he dominated the paint for 20 points.  Mendenhall had 13 in reduced action against Lone Wolf and 16 against the Patriots.  But what was particularly impressive was his new found range on his jumper.  With his prowess off the bounce, the kid is virtually un-guardable when knocking down threes. 

CBC 2010 and Lone Wolf had a hard fought contest before CBC sealed the game at the foul line for a 4 point victory.  CBC had incredibly balanced out-put.  How’s this for a state line: Ryan Dulaire 11; Rashad Moore 10; Luke Matarazzo 10; Danny Lawhorn 10; Jevon Williams 10; Denzel Jones 9; and Steven Glowiak 8.

Clearly the best game of the day in the 16 and under division was Expressions Elite vs. CBC.  In an overtime thriller, Expressions escaped with a slim 59-58 victory.  With CBC trapping out of a 3-2 zone, Expressions decided to go with a 4 out 1 in attack to spread the floor with shooters and allow for penetrate and pitch opportunities.  Surrounded by sharp-shooters like Derek Retos, Tyler Olander, and Joe OShea, point guard Tyler Strange was allowed to go to work, as he got into the lane and found teammates for open shots. 

CBC got a shot in the arm in the third quarter from Hartford Public guard Danny Lawhorn, who was able to take the game over for a stretch thanks to his unmatched speed and quickness.  With Lawhorn getting into the lane at will, it meant a lot of easy baskets for Denzel Jones and Darius Watson as Lawhorn rewarded his big men for running the floor.  Philip Gaetano and Luke Matarazzo shared the ball-handling responsibilities and both did an admirable job of getting the team organized, distributing the ball, and making open shots. 
But ultimately, missed opportunities and poor decisions down the stretch cost CBC, as Expressions held on for a 1 point victory. 

Jared Johnson and Alex Murphy both shined at times for the New England Playaz.  The Playaz, comprised primarily of players in the class of 2011 and 2012, faced an up hill battle as they competed against opponents two and three years their senior.  Regardless, Murphy still managed to draw his fair share of coaches as UMass Head Coach Derek Kellog and Providence Head Coach Keno Davis both watched his first game and Michigan Head Coach John Beilein took in the second. 

Providence Head Coach Keno Davis & Assistant Pat Skerry

6’3” Khalid McCaskill put up 15 points in the Warriors second game.  The Andover Academy swingman has good size and a knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. 

Joe Nardi, a 5’11” guard for the Philly Patriots, put on a display behind the three-point line as he connected 8 times in a single game.  The 2010 guard showed beautiful technique, a very quick release, and deep range. 

The Bay State Magic squad also provided a balanced and impressive day's work.  In their second game, point guard Kyle Houston led all scorers with 16 points and also set up big men Ryan Kilcullen and Dennis Clifford for several easy scores inside.  Kilcullen and Clifford anchored the defensive effort with their ability to block/alter shots and control the glass, while 7 different players scored in double figures.