Top Players in the MPA

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, December 27th, 2015

We’re already several weeks into Maine’s high school hoops season but in many ways players and coaches are still getting adjusted to things after conference realignment shifted many of the regions and rivalries that had become the norm over the years.

The one thing that remains the same is that the grand prize is still a Golden Ball at the end of the season. Here’s a look at some of the state’s top players who hope to have their respective clubs in contention before it’s all said and done:

Andrew Fleming, Oxford Hills – He’s the top player in the state, already signed with the University of Maine and is putting up some serious numbers to start the season including a 41 point outburst over Oxford Hills. A 6-foot-6 lefty with good athleticism and a high motor, Fleming is proving himself to be a nearly impossible match-up for local competition.   

Nicholas Gilpin, Hampden Academy – He’s got size and strength, probably more experience than any other player in the state having started since day one of his freshmen season and a pair of state championships to his name. He’s undeniably one of the top players in the state and could make a good case to be the very best guard in the state as well.

Shyheim Ulrickson, Mt. Ararat –The senior guard has had as decorated a high school career as any player in the state and simultaneously proven himself against high levels of competition on the AAU circuit. When it comes to his home state, there simply aren’t many defenders who have much hope in slowing him down as he can shoot it with range, beat them off the bounce or even overpower them with his college ready body.

Thomas Coyne, Falmouth – The recent Bates pledge was one of the state’s breakout players as a sophomore before missing the vast majority of his junior season with an injury. He nonetheless delivered a very solid AAU campaign last spring and summer and is now poised to make his senior season his best yet.

Jack Lesure, Lake Region – There aren’t many more versatile players in the state of Maine. He comes from obviously good stock as the son of Bridgton Academy head coach Whit Lesure and has all the toughness and intangibles you could ask for. If that weren’t enough, he’s also played all five positions on the floor at one point or another if you combine both his high school and AAU careers.

Austin Boudreau & Jack Casale, Cheverus – A pair of junior guards lead one of the more storied programs in the state. Both are capable of raining threes in bunches at virtually anytime and their newfound size on the perimeter is an asset as well following a late growth spurt from Casale.

Matt McDevitt, Greely – He’s one of the more naturally talented players in the state with a good combination of size and skill. The 6-foot-6 forward put up nearly 16 points and 8 boards a year ago but should be poised to take his game to even higher levels as a junior.

Joe Esposito, Amir Moss & Terion Moss – Esposito and Amir Moss provide a senior tandem to lead the way but the younger Moss, Terion, will have the ball in his hands and control of the offense in his sophomore campaign. That trio will be the basis for a team that won 19 games a year ago and the Western Class A championship.

Hunter Smith, Dover Foxcroft – He was one of the biggest breakout players in northern Maine as a junior and while he was out of action this fall with injury, the 6-foot-4 forward is again expected to be one of the top players in Class B down the stretch of the season.

Nick DePatsy, Medomak Valley – While he might not yet have a big name beyond Maine’s borders, the coach’s son is one of the more well-known talents inside his state’s borders after averaging 21 points and 8 rebounds while leading Medomak Valley to a 19 win season and the Eastern Class B championship as a junior.