Zero Gravity Championship Tip-Off - Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, September 26th, 2016

265 teams stormed southeastern Massachusetts for the first major travel tournament of the fall.  Zero Gravity hosted their annual Championship Tip-Off on Saturday & Sunday.  In the varsity division, Mig's Team defeated a feisty Synergy team that came all the way back from a large first-half deficit.  Mig's Team is poised for a huge fall season on the ZG Fall Circuit.

In the 10th grade division, three champions were crowned.  The BABC 10th graders took the American Championship with a brilliant defensive effort.  Two Boston Bobcats teams split the National Championship, with Bobcats- Tyler and Bobcats- Rudy showing impressive performances throughout the weekend.

Continuing on their strong showing last weekend at the Elite 75 Frosh/Soph, the BABC 9th graders took home the American Championship, while the Boston Blazers grinder their way to the International Championship, needing some clutch shooting late to stave off Take Charge Moynihan.  Take Charge Sullivan was able to bring a championship home for the program in taking the National Championship.

The following players impressed this weekend:

Kyle Layman (BABC, 2019)- The youngest Layman is a skilled forward who displayed great passing ability on Sunday.  His vision while posting up is excellent, as he was able to get the ball to his teammates with regularity while cutting to the basket.

Jerrod Clark (Beantown Bulls, 2018)- Clark was one of the more impressive juniors in the field this weekend.  The Brighton-product is big & physical inside, but also has very good footwork and can run the floor.  He is a versatile player who can do a lot of things well, and is not regulated to just rebounding like so many bigs are.  

Meikkel Murray (Mig's Team, 2017)- The senior big man from Amherst HS is a good finisher around the rim, dunking everything all weekend.  His length allowed him to constantly get deflections, too.  He is a prospect to watch not only this fall, but this winter in the MIAA and should be on the radar of college coaches.

Brandon Borde (BABC, 2020)- The lefty point guard has a good build for a true freshman.  Like many lefties, he is able to get to his left hand with ease.  The Foxboro native is very good at playing off two feet once he gets in the lane, and finding his teammates for open perimeter shots.

Justin Feliciano (Mig's Team, 2018)- Feliciano's long-range shooting was one of Mig's keys in their run to the title this weekend.  He can shoot it from several feet beyond the 3-point line off the catch or off the dribble, which made him very difficult to defend.

Ben Silva (RI Magic, 2019)- The Barrington HS guard shot the ball very well all weekend.  The lefty has good range on his shot, which helped the Magic space the floor and find seams to drive into the paint.

Moses Flowers (Beantown Bulls, 2019)- Flowers high-flying athleticism was on display.  At several points throughout the weekend, he used his long arms to get deflections & steals, and parleyed those into easy dunks at the other end.

Judson Martindale (BABC, 2020)- Coming off a big Elite 75 last Saturday, the forward was diving for loose balls multiple times in the second half of the championship game with his team up big.  That energy and passion is what sets some prospects apart, and it set Martindale apart on Sunday.

Jeremy Remigio (RI Magic, 2018)- The big guard keeps his head up while dribbling and is able to hit open teammates up the court for layups.  Remigio is a physical lead guard who uses his strong body to get in the lane and create contact, resulting in a lot of free throws for him this weekend.

Pedro Munoz (Synergy Basketball, 2018)- Munoz was key for Synergy in their run to the finals in the varsity division.  He took and hit big shots, as well as grabbing a key late rebound in their semi-final game.  The second half of that game belonged to him, as everything he put up went in.

Tyler Mola (Mass Select, 2018)- Mola is a stabilizing point guard who uses his change-of-speed to get in the lane and create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates.  He has proven he can shoot from outside, too, so he is not an easy cover for opposing guards.

Caled Merino (B2L, 2018)- Merino ran the B2L offense all weekend.  He knows where everyone is (and where everyone is supposed to be) on the floor.  He also slides his feet well on defense to keep his opponents out of the lane.

Joe Nuttel (BABC Central, 2019)- Nuttel has grown a little and has filled out well.  The lead guard uses his new-found strength to get in the lane with ease.  When the defense collapses on him, he is a very willing passer to his teammates outside.

Njavan Stewart (Boston Blazers, 2020)- A very good athlete, the guard was solid all weekend as the Blazers took home the 9th grade title.  He was able to get in the lane with a quick first step and keep his defender on his hip all the way to the basket.

Will Rywolt (RI Magic, 2020)- Rywolt is a young player who can really shoot the basketball.  He was the main catalyst for the Magic in their run to the championship game.