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.

Ledo Head List of Talents at MA-NH Showcase

By Nick Restifo

The Mass & NH High School Basketball Report had their first annual Boy's Showcase a couple of weeks ago at Reading Memorial High School. The Showcase featured some of the best high school basketball players in the region, and it allowed them the chance to demonstrate their skills.

Here were the standouts of the evening.

Ricky Ledo, SG/SF - Ledo, who is the #12 ranked ESPN junior, had the best night of anyone at the event. He put on an offensive clinic at the showcase and scored from all areas of the floor. Ledo is athletic and explosive and he truly shined in the way he made use of all of his natural gifts. Ledo drilled several threes over the course of the event, some of them from well beyond the arc, and he shoots the ball with both proper mechanics and spectacular lift. Ledo is a very high percentage shooter off the jab, even from three point range, and is not afraid to pull if given the space. Ledo also showcased a very strong court awareness. He is very aware of his own body movements, a quality sometimes not always possessed for developing high schoolers; and he almost made the appropriate play, whether that be a eurostep attack to the weak side of the hoop or a kick out to his open teammate. Ledo’s crossover was extremely quick, but was unique in that it is particularly reactive, he would often cross back to his other hand if he was not pleased with the separation achieved and his crossover was just as deadly coming back as it was going there. When he got into the paint, Ledo was an extremely adept at finishing regardless of contact, and he possessed several counters to defenders shifting over to help. His spin move is particularly devastating, and a ridiculously quick one drew several oohs and ahhs from the crowd.

Noah Vonleh, SF/PF - Vonleh, who is the #12 ranked ESPN sophomore, was the best athlete at the event. He has a powerful and ahtletic body. Vonleh was a presence on the glass at both ends of the floor and spent much of the evening rebounding well above the rim. Vonleh had several big blocks, and is beginning to become a bit of a defensive stopper down low. At 6'7", Vonleh demonstrated that his handle is a weapon as he always started the transition after rebounding well above the rim. Vonleh also found his way to the perimeter where he is a nightmare for opponents. His handle is so good he unguardable by a guard never mind a forward. A much improved shooter, the ball is coming off Vonleh's hands with grace.

Zach Auguste, F - Auguste is all of 6'9" and extremely long. Add to that, Auguste runs like a deer with wonderful grace to his gallup. Auguste is oozing potential has he demonstrated an ever improving set of skills and his ability to knock down the three. Auguste already has several major division 1 offers on with his huge wingspan and soft touch. He even hit a three pointer Friday night, showing flashes of a developing outside game.

Jared Terrell, SG/SF - Terrell, who was placed on Ledo’s team, fed off the attention Ledo received all night. Terrell is an explosive and bullish scorer who is not afraid of contact and scores in bunches. Terrell’s mid range game is quite strong, and he consistently hit jump shots off the dribble from the elbow and free throw line area. Terrell has a quick crossover move, but the move he most exploited was a go-to hesitation dribble which he effectively and consistently used to get defenders on their heels and then explode by them. Rebounding wise, Terrell always seemed to be in the right place at the right time at the event, as he grabbed several rebounds, despite being one of his team’s primary ball handlers. He was just as hungry to get the ball as he was to score.

Akosa Maduegbunam, SG/SF - Maduegbunam had a tendency to start off his games quickly, and always seemed to score within the first two or three possessions. Strong and incredibly quick with the potential to be an excellent finisher, Maduegbunam used this event to show off his devastating long-range game. Maduegbunam rained in threes from all around the arc, and he is an excellent shooter from range. His shooting form is beautiful, and he really gets his legs into his shot. When Maduegbunam left his feet, he had an impressive ability to maintain his position in the air, showcasing an excellent sense of body control and balance. His notable shooting performance was not even deterred by the shots he missed: His missed jump shots would always knock around on the rim several times before barely popping out.

Demitry Coronell, SF - Coronell can shoot from mid-range well enough, but his real strength is putting the ball on the floor. Coronell is an effective penetrator with impressive hangtime and amazing body control after contact. Coronell scored a lot during the event and possesses an uncanny ability to finish drives he shouldn’t be able to.

Cedric Kuakumensah, PF - Kuakumensah is a powerful and long 6'6" forward who was a rebounding machine corralling missed shots on both the offensive and defensive glass. Kuakumensah has also earned the reputation of challening every shot and that was exactly the case at the showcase. With the ball in his hand, Kuakmensah demonstratd that he an improved finisher around the basket with the ability to step away and make shots 15 feet away from the basket.

Dimitri Floras, PG/SG -Floras showed off his ankle breaking and world-devastating handle, most notably during the drills session at Friday’s showcase. Floras demonstrated his mid-range savvy as well, knocking down several 15 footers off the dribble; a skill set that perfectly completements his ability to kill defenders off the dribble.

Cornelius Tyson, PG - Tyson is incredibly fast and has a very refined handle. He has an almost funny flair for the fancy on the pass or the dribble, and is very fun to watch play. Tyson a true point guard looks to distribute the basketball first and is exceptional in transition.

Jaylon Blakely, PG Blakely has an ankle breaking crossover with super speed to match. He showcased good decision making on Friday night and almost always made the right pass.