ZG Finals - 9th Grade Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, June 16th, 2014

Five different 9th grade teams came out of division I pool play with a perfect 4-0 record, but only one would be crowned champions on Saturday – BABC.  

They showed the same trademark defense that BABC teams of old have been known for, holding their opposition to just 18 points in the semifinal before running away with a 30 point win in the final under first year head coach Britney Papile.  

Justin Mazzulla turned in a big performance in the backcourt, making plays on both ends of the floor and showing flashes of his older brother Joe Mazzulla, who starred on West Virginia’s Final Four team of 2010.  

Jakigh Dottin has been a cornerstone of this team from the beginning of the season and this weekend was no different as he continued to overpower opposing guards on his way to the rim and lock down on the defensive end.  Jalyn Hinton did his fair share of slashing himself while Cole Swider came off the bench to serve as the team’s long-range specialist.  

Caden Dumas and Nick O’Sareren set the tone up front.  Dumas is a six-foot-five forward who has become much more aggressive inside the paint in recent months while O’Sareren is a hybrid style forward who is very active on both ends of the floor.  Terance’s younger brother, Martin Mann, provided additional size and talent off the bench while Tyrone Perry, Jordan Galloway, and Jonathan Casseus made up the rest of the roster.  

Expressions run to the final was led by six-foot-seven forward Jordan Hardwick, who continued to show flashes of tremendous long term potential, and skilled guard Geo Baker.  

For BABC, whose record now sits at 40-4 on the season, the Zero Gravity Finals were their second consecutive championship after claiming the NEAAU district title and final tune-up before they travel to Little Rock, Arkansas for the AAU Division I Nationals and Super Showcase from July 8th – 14th.