Jake Laymen is Number 1 in Class of 2012Here are the updated rankings for the Class of 2012
1. Jake Laymen (6'7", King Phillips) - Laymen had one of the best summers of all players in New England. Laymen is a long forward with a good built and soft shooting touch. Layman showed this Spring and Summer that he has a chance to play at a high-major level. Laymen is impressive in transition, and can finish well above the rim. He also has a nice stroke from behind the three point arc. Much of what Laymen has is still potential, but we are more than confident that his potential will be realized.
2. Akosa Maduegbunam (6'3", Charlestown High School) - Maduegbunam is an athletic guard that can get to ther rim and finish well above the cylinder. Maduegbunam also has an improved stroke as he is having more success knocking down the three.
3. Peter Miller(6'9", Winchester HS)- Miller is a fundamentally sound big man that had his stock increase this Spring and Summer. Miller was successful in catching and finishing with a smooth touch. Miller also showed that he can move away from the basket a bit and make the 12 foot jumper. Miller needs to be a little more aggressive and get stronger, and he will be a division 1 prospect.
4. Steve Haladyna (6'3", Saint John's Prep) - The 6'3" Haladyna just makes plays. Although not always pretty, Haladyna finds a way to put the ball in the basket. He competes extremely hard and has a great knack for the basketball, especially off the offensive boards. Haladyna needs some work on his skills so that he becomes a better shooter and more effective off the dribble.
5. Adam Bramanti (6'1", Masconomet Regional High School) - Bramanti has game and can score in a multitude of different ways. He has a sweet looking three point stroke and an excellent dribble to pull-up. He can also finish around the rim, as well as in the lane with floaters and pull-ups. As he continues to improve his skill set, Bramanti will become stronger and more confident attacking the basket and finishing at the rim.
6. Kenny Reed (5'10", Reading High School) - This summer was our first look at the sophomore guard and we came away impressed. He’s a strong and powerful point who goes to the rim with authority and is equally effective creating for others thanks to some terrific court vision. Reed is also a scoring point guard who finds many ways to put the ball in the hoop. Like many on this list, with some skill work, Reed has a chance to be special.
7. Dana Hines (6'7", Corcord Carlisle) - Hines is a big and powerful forward who is still raw. But his size and strength inside makes him a factor in most basketball games he competes in. Hines is still a work in progress, but his upside is impressive. Hines need to work on finishing around the basket.
8. Maurice Taylor (6'2", Cambridge Ringe and Latin)- Taylor is still a baby physically. His length and athleticism are tremendous, and he has shown a nice mid-range game. Taylor can handle the ball some in the open court and competes hard. It will be interesting to watch him develop over the next year.
9. Mike Thorpe (5'11", Newton North High School) – Thorpe does not have the explosive nature of many other guards, but his basketball I.Q. is extremely high. He’s creative and crafty inside the lane, is a knockdown three-point shooter with an equally good pull-up game.
10. Robinson Vilmont (5’8”, Malden High School) – We saw Vilmont score 38 points against Everett last year and he did it in a variety of ways including knocking down eight 3 pointers. Vilmont can really score the basketball and get to the rim. He also can defend as well.
11. Chris Lee (6'4", Lexington High School) – Lee is a big man who is tough and strong around the rim but also has some perimeter skills and a good feel for the game.
12. Luis Puello (5'10", Central Catholic High School) - Puello plays the game as hard as any player in New England. He competes on every play and makes every dribble a nightmare for opponents that don't have an exceptional handle of the basketball. Puello gets his hands on a ton of basketballs and is an exceptional rebounder given his height. Although not a great scorer, he gets points off of pure hustle. He's a winner.
13. Zach Karalis (6'1", North Andover High School) - Karalis is a good three point shooter that can stretch the defense. He is active and can rebound the basketball and is effective in transition. Karalis needs to develop more game especially off the dribble.
14. Jared Neumann (6'3", Northampton High School) – Neumann can rebound and finish in traffic and has the skills to push the ball up the floor himself. Neumann has much potential as his body is still in the developmental phase.
15. Patrick Talentino (6'0", Saint John's Shrewsbury) – We first saw Talentino at our own MA-NH High School Basketball Report All-Star game. Talentino has a nice dependable shooting stroke, a good understanding of the game, as well as the ability to handle and pass the basketball.
16. Trevon Moore (6'0", East Boston High School) – He has a gear beyond most with great speed and quickness and uses it to make plays on both sides of the court. He is super creative with his dribble penetration and no less effective on the defensive end where he consistently forces the opposition into turnovers.
17. Rakim Smith-Lartey ( 5’6”, Somerville High School) – He is good with the ball and very crafty inside the lane as he is able to get things done.
18. Mike Carbone (5'9", Saint John's Prep) - Carbone is a scrappy player that gets it done on both ends of the floor. He plays extremely hard and creates opportunities for himself in transition. Carbone can also knock down the three and always seems to come up with the big basket.
19. John Basile (6'1", Longmeadow High School) – Basile is a playmaker who is good with the ball, aggressive going to the rim, and can finish with both hands.
20. Rony Fernandez (5'10", Charlestown High School) Fernandez is a an excellent shooter who can make things happen off the dribble.
