Thursday, April 14, 2011

Some More Notables from MA & NH Boy's Showcase

By Nick Restifo

Jalen Adams of Melrose
The Mass and NH High School Basketball Report Boy's Annual Showcase brought much talents. ESPN ranked Ricky Ledo and Noah Vonleh were present with several other division 1 prospects. Other Notables at the event were:

Jalen Adams, PG, Melrose - Just a Freshman, Adams demonstrated that he has much talent. He demonstrated that he is athletic, has handle, and is an offensive threat from all over the court. Adams shot the long ball very well, making several threes over the course of the event.

Aaron Falzon, SF, Newton North -  Falzon is a skilled 6'7" big man that has a great touch that extends all the way beyond the three point line.  He showed us a great knack for the game as he used a series of fakes to freeze his defender and go by.  Falzon was at his best when he rebounded and lead transition.  He looks impressive and knows how to pass the basketball.  Bright days ahead for this young man.

Malcolm Smith, G, Chevrus H.S., ME - Smith is a 6'2" guard that is extremely athletic and can finish high above the rim.  Smith is exceptional in transition and can score the basketball in a variety of ways.  He is most impressive around the basket as he demonstrated several acrobatic finishes.  Smith, who is knew at high level basketball, has a huge upside and expect to hear much more about this young man in the future.

Nick Cambio, PF, Central Catholic -  Cambio was one of the most impressive big guys at the Showcase. Cambio is rather athletic and can play the game at a face pace. Cambio was best when he got out and filled the lane as he is a good finisher. Cambio changed shots with his length on the defensive end, and demonstrated he could make shots from behind the arc. No question, Cambio has a chance to be special.

Savaghn Houston, F, -  Houston is an athletic forward who got to the rim and finished with authority especially in transition.   Houston also knows how to use his body to get to create space around the basket.

Derek Collins, G, North Andover -  Collins known for his ability to knock down shots in a hurry was able to spot up for several threes in transition.  Collins also showed he has an excellent first step to the basket, can create space, and finds his teammates when they are open.

Javon Williams, PG, Nashua North, NH -  Williams showed us flashes of brilliance again as he can play the game a couple of speeds above the field.  Williams has a smooth looking long range three and added some neat bounce passes in transition.

Andrew Kaufman, SF - Kaufman is a good shooter who spots up and knock them down when squared up.  Kaufman also showed us that he can put the ball to the floor and find his way to the rim.

Alex Brown, PG/SG, Masconomet -  Brown was one of the smallest kids there but carrying one of the biggest hearts. Brown displayed a strong ball handling ability and impressive speed, speed that was notably displayed when he was hustling up and down the court. Brown scored a lot for his team, by both knocking down several jumpers from mid range and aggressively attacking the rim off the dribble. His final dribble was always authoritative, even if he was preparing to lean into someone much taller than he, and he finished well around the basket.

David Labossiere, PG/ SG, Stoneham - Labossiere effectively got into the paint all night and showcased a strong passing ability once he got there. Explosive, Labossiere could accelerate from zero to full speed almost instantaneously, and as a result was very effective in transition.  Labossiere shot very consistently when his feet were firmly set.

Tareek Smith, PG, St. Paul's School, NH -  Smith is a lightning quick guard that has an excellent basketball IQ on the floor.  Smith has a scoring mentality and can also score the basketball from the perimeter and off the dribble.

Matt Cimino, F, Chevrus, ME,  -  At 6'9" tall, Cimino showed us that he can make shots behind the arc. Cimino also has nice touch around the basket.

Eric Gendron, G, Merrimack, NH -  Gendron is a 6'2" guard who has a competitive fire to him and who has a bit of a swagger to him.   He has creative moves and is able to put the ball to the floor and finish around the basket.  Gendron has a chance to be a secial player.
  
Joey Flannery, SF/PF, Acton-Boxboro -  Flannery’s unorthodox shooting form retained a soft touch, and he was able to convert several threes on Friday night. He had a keen sense of positioning, was constantly seen under the boards, and rebounded very well over the course of the event. With the ball close to the basket, he used his height well to finish over opponents, whether off the drive or in the post.

Ben Judson, SG - Judson, only an eight grader, is fun to watch because he seems to take great joy in making the right basketball play. This lefty loved to make the extra pass to his teammates, and shot a good percentage from outside as well.  Judson also has a good understanding of the game and is a natural scorer.

Shane Farley, G, Burlington - Farley is a good size athletic guard who has an extremely quick first step to the basket.  Farley also showed that he understands how to use his body to hit and create space. 

Andrew Lechner, SG, Pinkerton H.S., NH -  Lechner is an athletic guard that can score the basketball.  He played both a strong off (left) hand and a sense of creativity when taking it to the basket. He hit a few outside shots, including a three, and rebounded the ball well on both ends of the floor, especially for a guard.

Sean Dorcaster, SG/SF, Medford, -  Dorcaster is capable of playing multiple positions, and his biggest strength is his ability to finish seamlessly with either his left or right hand over either shoulder. Dorcaster can also step away and knock down the three.  Dorcaster scored a lot at the event, but all of his points seemed to come within the team mechanic, and none were forced.

Kenny Reed, PG, Reading High School - Reed has excellent athletic ability and was able to find his way to the rim with ease.  He was a very creative passer at the event, and his highlights included two beautiful passes; one no-look from half court to a big underneath, and another pass between the legs on the fastbreak to the trailer.

Jonathan Perez, G, Lowell -  Perez's greatest attribute his the fact that he has is strong and uses his physical body to get to the rim.  Perez, is also a streaky shooter from the outside and can knock down several threes in a row.

Thomas Galenck, PG/SG, Boston College H.S. -  Galenck is a tenacious on ball defender and strong spot up shooter who always makes the right pass.

Christian Morneweck, PF, Burlington -  Morneweck is 6'4", long, and athletic.  On the offensive end, Morneweck showcased a good go-to hook shot and a soft touch inside. Defensively, he is patient, disciplined, and keeps his hands up.

Jordan Lates, PG Hollis Brookline H.S., NH - Lates did a very good job running the point for his team, effectively distributing the ball to all of his teammates with limited turnovers; despite a breakneck speed play style.  Lates can also knock down the three when he is left open. 

Aaron Todd, PF, York, ME - Todd scored very well around the basket with a soft touch and when no one expected him too. He is able to use both hands, and can even finish reverse layups with either hand from both sides of the hoop. Todd also showed us that he has some skills away from the basket has he can knock down the open jumper.

Max Gouveia, SG, Campbell H.S., NH -  Gouveia showed off a soft shooting touch with a confidence to match, as well as converting several tough finishes off the dribble.  Gouveia also competed at both ends of the floor.

Jerry Ellis-Williams, PF, Reading -  Ellis Williams has a physical body that he uses to create space and finish around the basket.  He can also knock down the three when left open.

Quentin Bullen, SG/SF, St. John's Prep Bullen had some nice looks and strong finishes, and even got into perfect defensive stance on a fastbreak to draw a charge. Bullen also has a nice touch from the outside and knocked down several threes on the evening.

Mark Mellanson, SG, Burlington - Mellanson can flat out knock down shots. He hit several threes on the night and showed off a super quick release while doing so.

Bobby Lumbard, SG, Tewksbury - Lumbard has a great motor and plays the game with passion. Despite being pitted against much larger opponents, Lumbard rarely seemed intimidated and shot the ball very well on the night.

Dave Murrell, G/SF, Putnam H.S., Springfield - Murrell showed that he can play several different postions on the court.  He was most successful in the post where he got the hoop and made baskets.  Murell was also tough on the glass as he one the battle for many 50-50 balls.

Trevon Betts, PG, Weymouth - Betts is an extremely quick and strong point guard that knows how to get to the rim and keeps control of his body when he is in the air.

Kyle Mansour, SF, Methuen -  Mansour rebounded strong all night long and used his body effectively on offense to get to the rim.  Mansour also runs the court well and was on the receiving end of a few nice transition baskets.  Mansour was also active on the defensive end coming up with a few blocks on the evening.

Drew Belcher, SF, Reading -  Belcher, a freshman, has an athletic body.   At 6'4", he uses that body to get to the rim.  Belcher who is transitioning from the power forward spot to the small forward spot showed some good play on the perimeter.

David Brown, PG - Christ School, MA - Brown showed that he could find his way into the paint at will and that he knos how to distribute the basketball once he gets there.

Kevin O’Conner, SG/SF, St. Paul's School, NH -  O’Conner is a good shooter with pure mechanics who let the game come to him.