Top Prospects in the MIAA

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, December 21st, 2014

We’ve been focused on the prep school world for the last several weeks but with the high school season now in full swing and most of the holiday prep tournaments having now passed, we’ll turn our attention to the six state associations. First up is the MIAA as we profile some of the top individual talent in the state of Massachusetts:

Class of 2015

Guilien Smith, Catholic Memorial – He was the best player in New England that most had never heard of outside of the MIAA before Dartmouth snagged an under-the-radar pledge, but now the versatile scoring guard will take no one by surprise. He is as dangerous a player as there is in the MIAA and the primary weapon for one of the state’s most talented teams.

Tyree Robinson, Durfee – An unmatched physical presence in the high school ranks, Robinson has a wealth of physical tools at his disposal with athleticism, strength, and quickness, all of which are complimented by a world class motor. There isn’t a player in the state who means more to their team that Robinson does to Durfee.

Isaiah McLeod, Cambridge Rindge & Latin – The recent Southern Connecticut pledge is a scoring guard who can get buckets in a variety of different ways and should be one of the top playmakers in the MIAA this season. He leads a Cambridge squad that began the season as the third ranked team in the ESPN Boston Top 25.

Tommy Mobley, Newton North – Probably the most feared sniper in the state, Mobley has worked hard to diversify his game, and now returns a more complete player for his senior season. He’s been both an all-state selection as well as the Bay State Conference’s leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, and looks to lead Newton North to a title as a senior.

David Giribaldi & Connor Merinder, Andover – Giribaldi is as dangerous a scoring guard as there is anywhere in the high school ranks with a special ability to make tough shots. Merinder anchors the interior for Andover, not just by providing scoring, but also with his ability to rebound the ball and utilize his versatility on both ends of the floor.

Michael Boen & Ryan Boulter, Mansfield – What was supposed to be a big three in the senior class is now down to two following Brendan Hill’s knee injury but Boen and Boulter still provide a heck of a one-two punch. Boen, who is pledged to Stonehill, provides an athletic slasher and lock-down defender while Boulter has put up some big scoring numbers to start the season.

Kareem Davis & Ben Judson, St. John’s Prep – Coming off a 17-5 season and ranked 8th in the state by ESPN Boston, this looks to be another strong season for St. John’s Prep. Point guard playmaker Kareem Davis will lead the show, but for the team to reach their potential they’ll need the sharp-shooting southpaw swingman, Judson, to be at his best.

Tyree Weston, New Bedford – He’s returned from the prep ranks and back to his original class of 2015. Now, under first year head coach and former ACC assistant, Bonzie Colson, Weston should be ready to turn in a huge final campaign in the MIAA as he combines his perimeter power and playmaking ability.

Best of the Rest – Darrick Boyd, Chicopee; Mike Algeri, Reading, Jack Campsmith, Chelmsford; Austin Coene, Tyngsborough; Brian Collamore, Springfield Cathedral; Chris DeMartinis, Burlington; Kevin Durkin, Wachusett; Garrison Duvivier & Ariff McLaren, Brockton; Randy Glenn & Tyrique Lee, New Mission; Michael Grassey, Winchester; Cory Green, Taunton; Rich Harrington, Sutton; Devan Harris, Danvers; Johnny Hilaire & Eric Rosario, Lynn English; Karlens Joas, Malden Catholic; Andy Kaplan & Ryan Noel, Wellesley; Adam Kleckner, Belmont; Eric McCord, Westford Academy;  Franziel Reyes, Lawrence; Tim Riley, Xaverian Brothers.

Class of 2016

Tyonne Malone, Putnam – The back to back D1 state champions will have to replace both Dizel Wright and David Murrell, but with Malone back in the fold they return one of the top juniors in the state. The athletic lefty is long and smooth, a constant threat to make plays off the dribble, and also a weapon on the defensive end.

Kellan Grady, Catholic Memorial – Coming off a breakout spring and summer on the AAU circuit, Grady is just one leg of a lethal three-guard rotation for a CM squad that could be the favorite in the MIAA this season. The big guard is long and smooth with an instinctive playmaking ability.

Brandon Twitty, Catholic Memorial – The final piece of a loaded Catholic Memorial backcourt, Twitty is also coming off a breakout AAU season. The commonalities don’t end there though as he is also long and smooth with a definite ability to make plays on both ends of the floor.

Wabissa Bede, North Andover – He made a name for himself in the month of July and now appears poised to complete the breakout during his junior season, at least if his early numbers are any indication. Bede is a true point guard, but one with plenty of individual offense at his disposal as well.

Jack Loughnane, Boston College – As heady and skilled a player as you would expect from a coach’s son, Loughnane will be the engine that makes Boston College HS run this year and is sure to put up big numbers for the second consecutive year in the process.

Ryan Layman, King Philip – Jake’s younger brother has sprouted up in the last year, not just in terms of his physical height but also in the development of his game. Now, he should be poised to start carving out his own path, with an undeniable upside set to be discovered.

Best of the Rest – Fru Che, Somerville; Tyler Dion, Wachusett; Mat Kerans, Belmont; Jake Midura, Chicopee; Mike Nelson, Bishp Feehan; Corey Romich, Groton Dunstable; Mike St. Laurent, Doherty; Nate Tenaglia, Tewksbury; Damonte Turner, JE Burke; Rayshon Ward, Plymouth North.

Class of 2017/2018

Jakigh Dottin, Cambridge Rindge & Latin – A man among boys among the underclassmen in the state, Dottin is as powerful as he is aggressive in the backcourt. He’s relentless attacking the rim and will both go through and go by defenders depending on his preference.

Marcus Zegarowski, Hamilton-Wenham – Marcus and twin brother, Max Zegarowski, give Hamilton-Wenham a young and talented duo. Marcus is a heady and skilled guard who should be ready to take on a leadership role in just his sophomore season.

Philmon Gebrewhit, New Mission – Glenn and Lee are likely to play starring roles for New Mission this season but Gebrewhit could very well be the best long-term prospect in the group and appears poised to have a breakout sophomore campaign.

Tommy ONeil, St. John’s Prep – On a loaded St. John’s Prep squad, O’Neil won’t have the burden of having to be a star right away, but his presence on the interior will undoubtedly make quick contributions from day one.

Tanahj Pettway, Central Catholic – With Tyler Nelson and Nick Cambio having both graduated, Central Catholic will be looking to replace plenty of firepower in the line-up. There might not be a freshman guard better suited to do that than this dynamic youngster.

Chris Doherty, Marlboro – He may only be a freshman, but he’ll be one of the most physically dominant players in the state from day one. As strong as he is aggressive inside the paint, Doherty has all the tools to be a true low post anchor, and is set to put the MIAA on notice this winter.

Maurice Works, East Boston – There are minutes to be had on a young, but talented, East Boston team and Works is ready to claim them given his ability to make plays on both ends of the floor and depth of experience at such a young age.