Jonathan Perez Goes In For a Lay-upThe NERR Junior Elite Tournament provided plenty of good hoops on this Satureday as the likes of the RI Hawks, Boston Blue Chips, MYCW, MB Nation, and Connecticut Select all attended the prestigious tournament. However, the main event of the evening featured to Northern Mass teams as VBC and the Mass Rivals squared off in the 15u divison. The Rivals, less the top rated Freshman in New England, Noah Vonleh (Haverhill) who was sidelined with a concussion were able to hold off a talentented VBC team 77 - 69 in game that was close all evening long. Those who impressed were the following:
Jonathan Perez (5'11", Lowell High School, VBC) - Perez was the best player on the floor this evening as he netted 34 points. Perez showed his versatility as a scorer as he knocked down threes, made some great slashes to the basket for layups, and was able to finish a couple of and ones after taking a hit and using his strength to make the field goal.
Elijah Mukiibi (6'4", Lowell High School, VBC) - The lanky big guy scored 19 points of his own with some nifty low post moves. But what was most impressive about the big fellow was his ability to put the ball to the floor from the perimeter. He is clearly a much improved player.
Derek Collins (6'1", North Andover High School, Mass Rivals) - Collins had his second exceptional game in a row tallying 25 points on some long range threes, some big time pull-ups, and some hard takes to the rim. Collins is one of the few young guards in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that can score the basketball in every different way.
Sam Dowden (6'3", Andover High School, Mass Rivals) - Dowden showed his ability to knock down shots from the three point line and showed he has become much better at putting the ball to the floor.
Mabor Gabriel (6'6', Trinity High School, NH, Mass Rivals) - Gabriel showed today why he might be might be the best Sophomore to be in New Hampshire. Gabriel at 6'6" can run the lanes, finish around the basket, and make the three. In this game, Gabriel did all of the above plus attempted a big time dunk in transition. We're sure we will here much more about this young fellow over the next couple of years..
