Williams and Gilligan Have Standout Performances
Next up in our series of game recaps from the MA-NH High School Basketball Report All-Star Showcase is the NH Boys Underclassmen game. In an up-tempo, very entertaining basketball game, the White Team won 124-107 over the Black Team. One might look at that final score and assume no defense was being played. That may have been true to a certain extent, but for the most part the high score is due to the abundance of talent on display. These kids were making plays, making strong drives to the basket and hitting their shots.
Big Games for...
Javon Williams, Nashua North (2012) - The 5'10" Williams (pictured above) once again showed that he is one of the fastest, athletic and explosive young players in the area. He hit 5 threes on the game, including on where he pulled up off the dribble and hit the shot. Williams also displayed his athleticism with a thunderous one handed dunk on the break as 2 of his team-high 29 points. He has the ability to play the game at a speed which is much quicker than most players in the state.
Devin Gilligan, Souhegan High (2012) - Gilligan has really filled out his frame nicely, and he is now a very well built 6'3" wing player. He used his added strength on numerous strong drives to the rim where he finished effectively en route to a game-high 30 points. Gilligan has a scorer's mentality, and is very tough to guard off the dribble.
Other Stock Risers...
Dimitri Floras, Merrimack High (2013) - The 6'0" freshman guard has made plenty of headlines over the winter, and on Sunday everybody saw why. He is a silky smooth player, and the game comes easy to him. Floras made a very nice mid-range pull-up jumper, and also an excellent pass on the fast break to set up a teammate for a layup.
Curtis Arsenault, Berlin High (2012) - He's from way up North and from one of the smaller divisions in NH, so while most of these kids have played with or against each other countless times already it was Arsenault's first time. The 6'1" forward more than held his own against the state's top young players, finishing with 21 points and 7 rebounds. He has good quickness and very good strength, and is a force around the bucket.
Tony Beaulieu, Alvirne High (2012) - Beaulieu plays football in addition to hoops, and you can tell. The 5'11" guard has a very solid build, which allows him to finish at the rim effectively. Beaulieu is another kid that is virtually impossible to guard off the dribble. He had one of the better plays of the game, a drive to the basket where he made a spin move for an and-one play.
Ryan Gauthier, Nashua North (2012) - Gauthier plays the game with a ton of energy and explosiveness, and like Williams he is able to play it at a very fast speed. The 5'11" Gauthier showed the ability to handle the basketball, shot it off the dribble, and even in an All-Star game he was diving on the floor for loose balls.
Mike Auger, Hopkinton High (2013) - This 6'4" foreshman has a bright future. He is a very tough inside player who ran the floor well and scored and rebounded the basketball well in the paint.
Kaleb Joseph, Nashua South (2013) - This 5'11" guard is another kid who is extremely explosive and athletic. Joseph can jump out of the gym. He is also another player who is tough off the dribble, but he is one who was able to go off the dribble and create for not only himself but for his teammtes as well.
Anthony Muccioli, Nashua South (2013) - Muccioli is a 5'9" guard who can play the 1 or the 2 position effectively. He showed he could handle the basketball, as well as shoot it off the dribble. Muccioli is a quick, athletic player and one of the better defenders in his class.
Others Who Played Well...
Billy Lane, Portsmouth High (2012) - As fast as some of the other players were, Lane may have been the fastest kid on the floor. Solid point guard who can also shoot it.
Brad Holler, Exeter High (2012) - The 5'10" Holler is the best shooter in his class. Very competitive kid who always plays hard on both ends.
Logan Kesty, Trinity High (2012) - The 6'1" wing player had 16 points on the game and also played some solid defense on the ball.
Jim Tomaswick, Alvirne High (2012) - Tomaswick is a 6'5" forward with a good build, solid quickness and touch around the basket.
Kyle DiCesare, Portsmouth High (2012) - The 6'2" wing is a smooth player, the game comes easy to him and he didn't try to do too much. He continues to show a solid stroke from the outside.
Alex Patrikis, Pinkerton Academy (2012) - Patrikis was very active on the boards and around the basket. The 6'4" forward has a bright future.
Skyler Mitchell, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy (2012) - The 6'3" Mitchell was tough on the glass and in the low post, where he has a solid and always improving low post game.
Tim LaRoche, Exeter High (2012) - For a kid that is only 6'1", this kid can flat out fly. He has off the charts athleticism and explosiveness.
