Last evening, the Mass & NH High School Basketball Report traveled to the Nashoba Tech Holiday Tournament to see the Finals Matchup between King Phillip and Manchester Essex. King Phillips has our #1 rated junior in 6'8" Jake Layman (left) and Manchester has our #4 ranked senior in Joe Mussachia (right). The individual battle went to Mussachia (41 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists), but more importantly, the war was won by Jake Layman (22 points, 13 rebounds, 8 blocks) and King Phillip 75 to 68.The game started out all King Phillip as they jumped out to a 14 to 2 lead, with Layman scoring 10 1st quarter points, but Manchester battled back to make it a 7 point game after 1 quarter (16 to 9). The second quarter was back and forth as Manchester’s full court pressure bothered King Phillip, and kept the game close, but struggles from the foul line haunted Manchester all night long as they missed a total of 21 on the evening.
The second half was a physical battle that saw Manchester cut the lead to 3 with 5:45 to play, but Layman made a huge 3 and then ran the length of the floor to block an uncontested layup, that was followed up by a reverse layup in transition by the Big Fella, putting King Phillip up 8 with 4:04 left. Manchester cut it to 4 again, but Layman was solid from the Free Throw stripe and sealed the deal for King Phillip.
Jake Layman is a 6’8" guard, with skills way beyond his age. When we saw Laymen play this Summer we said that he has a chance to play at a high-major level. Now, we know for sure that this young man will be doing just that come Fall or after a potential post grad year. Laymen is impressive basketball player. He is best in transition and can finish well above the rim. He has a great touch and an explosive dribble drive game, that is finished off with great vertical jump. He also has an excellent stroke from behind the three point arc. Laymen has realized much potential over the last year and there is much more to come. He is a high major scholarship player.
Joe Mussachia is a 6’5 guard that plays the game hard and plays all 5 positions on the floor for Manchester. He did it all for Manchester tonight, his triple-double performance was the single best effort we have seen from a high school player this year. He dominated both ends of the floor. Mussachia's offensive game has continued to improve as the southpaw showed he has good dexterity around the rim. Mussachia's also continues to become a better and better three point shooter. What might be most impressive about Mussachia's is how hard he plays the game. He is a tough nose kid that is not afraid to mix up on the glass. Mussachia will bring his game to Amherst College next year passing up several other division 2 scholarship offers from St. Anselms, Bentley, and Southern New Hampshire. Lucky Amherst.
Other Key Contributors:
6’5" Alec May who chipped in with 14 points for King Phillip. He was very aggressive and took 4 charges in the paint on some of the dribble penetration by Manchester’s guards.
King Phillips 6’7" Connor Layman is still progressing, but he has a big long basketball body and his skill level will only get better.
Manchester guard Jason Stasiak had some impressive drives to the basket and showed the ability to play solid defense for Manchester.
Manchester's 6’4 Sophomore forward Taylor Ketchum played well and looks to be a player we will be talking about for the Hornets in the years to come.
