St. Lawrence and Pratt Commit to Salve Regina

AAU Teammates Will Be College Teammates As Well

Two more New Hampshire players have made commitments to play basketball in college, and they're both headed to Salve Regina University. Scott St. Lawrence from Bishop Guertin High School and Nashua North's Alex Pratt will both be playing for the Seahawks next season.

St. Lawrence (pictured above) ends the season as the #7 ranked prospect in NH's Class of 2010. He will be a real asset to Salve. He's 6'5", and has the versatility to play inside or on the perimeter. He has a good combination of size, quickness, strength and skill.

Pratt (pictured below) ends the season as the #20 ranked prospect in NH's Class of 2010. He will also bring plenty to the table for the Seahawks. He has good size and quickness to play the two-guard position at the Division-III level. Pratt can handle the ball, shoot it, and excels in an up-tempo style of play.

St. Lawrence and Pratt join Salem's Alex LaRosa to make three NH players from the Class of 2010 to commit to Salve Regina. Merrimack's Eric Watson and Jake Nelson of Nashua South are two other NH seniors who are also considering playing for Coach Foster. Ironically, all 5 of those players played for the Granite State Jayhawks AAU team in 2009.

New Rankings Released - NH Boys

All Four Classes Have Been Updated

Over the next few days we will be releasing a new set of rankings for both boys and girls, Mass. and NH, and in all four classes (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013).

We start off with the NH Boys rankings. We highlight the top 10 players in each class, but full rankings can be seen on the site via the drop-down menu.

Class of 2010
1. Zach Mathieu, Pinkerton - The 6'7" Mathieu was a dominating force all season, and especially in the playoffs. He had 30+ points, 15+ rebounds and 5+ blocks in both the semi-finals and title game to lead Pinkerton to the championship. Mathieu would be a scholarship player in basketball, but he is a major league prospect in baseball. He has a full scholarship to play on the diamond at Franklin Pierce.

2. Alex Burt, Dover - Burt will be a very good Division III player, with an outside shot at D-II. He is still up in the air as far as whether he will do a post-grad year somewhere or go to college now. He's a very good player though, an excellent shooter and an extremely hard worker.

3. Jake Nelson, Nashua South - The foot injury that Nelson suffered really hurt what could have been a spectacular senior season. He is fully recovered now, and will be a very good D-III point guard.

4. Richard Valentin, Manchester West - If this were based strictly on talent alone Valentin would be ranked either 1 or 2, and would likely be a scholarship player. He's the fastest, most explosive player NH has to offer. But does a college coach take a chance on a kid that has had a troubled past off the court?

5. Kevin Cressy, Merrimack Valley - Cressy has the ability to face up from 20 feet and go by you off the dribble, and if you back off of him he can drain the three...and he's 6'7"!

6. Alex LaRosa, Salem - Can play the 1 or the 2, more of a scorer though than someone who can create for teammates. Very smart player and excellent shooter. LaRosa takes his game to Salve Regina University.

7. Scott St. Lawrence, Bishop Guertin - Tough, versatile player. St. Lawrence is 6'4" 1/2 and at times he played all 5 positions on the floor for BG.

8. Jake Woodward, Lebanon - You wonder how good Mathieu could have been at hoops if he didn't focuse so much on baseball...you wonder the same thing about Woodward. This kid is 6'4" and can flat out play. He's strong, he's fast, he's atheltic, he can shoot, he can drive, he can rebound....and he'll be playing baseball at St. John's University.

9. Ben Proulx, Pinkerton - The 6'5" Proulx is a force inside and can also step out and hit the three. He would be a very good D-III player...if he wasn't a Division I football player. Proulx will take his game to the gridiron at Sacred Heart.

10. Tom Poitras - Poitras is 6'6", has a big, strong frame and is tough down low where he can score, rebound and block shots. At the same time he can also put the ball on the floor and drive or step out and hit the three.


Class of 2011
1. David Madol, Trinity - Excellent combination of size, athleticism and skill.
2. Connor Green, Bishop Guertin -Tremendous upside and grades for the 6'4" Green.
3. Mike O'Loughlin, Milford - The 6'3" wing is getting D-I interest.
4. Stephen Spirou, Pelham - Tough 6'4" wing with extremely well rounded game.
5. Jamie Holder, Milford - Most explosive player in the class, getting D-II interest.
6. Ben Hill, Pittsfield - The 6'8" Hill still has a raw game but D-I potential.
7. John Wickey, Manchester Central - The 6'6" Wickey has gotten quicker and added an outside shot in last few months.
8. Sean McClung, Bishop Guertin - Tough kid with good speed and shooting ability.
9. Mike Mitchell, Milford - The 5'7" point guard is receiving D-II interest
10. Joe Gallant, Salem - The 6'4" forward has improved a lot of the past year.


Class of 2012
1. Javon Williams, Nashua North - He can handle the ball, he can jump out of the gym, he can shoot and he's as fast and athletic as anyone in the state.
2. Devin Gilligan, Souhegan - The 6'3" wing can beat you off the dribble and can really finish at the rim.
3. Kyle DiCesare, Portsmouth - DiCesare was huge down the stretch and in the playoffs, and showed he belongs near the top of this list.
4. Ryan Gauthier, Nashua North - 5'11" combo-guard who has improved a ton in the last year.
5. Tony Beaulieu, Alvirne - Beaulieu has a college-ready body, and goes very strong to the bucket.
6. Gabe LaCount, Manchester Central - Silky smooth two guard who plays mistake free ball and can flat out score the basketball.
7. Curtis Arsenault, Berlin - Another kid with a college-ready body. Arsenault is 6'1" though and plays in the paint. If he can develop his perimter skills he could be a top 3 player in his class.
8. Alex Patrikis, Pinkerton - The 6'4" Patrikis has improved a ton over this past season, and had the benefit of learning from fellow bigs Mathieu and Proulx.
9. Anthony Muccioli, Nashua South - He's quick, athletic and an excellent defender. At 5'9" though he'll have to develop better point guard skills to move up.
10. Tyler Gendron, Merrimack - A player on the rise if he keeps working hard, Gendron is 6'4" but has the quickness and shooting skills of a guard.


Class of 2013
1. Dimitri Floras, Merrimack - Had one of the best freshman seasons in recent NHIAA memory.
2. Kaleb Joseph, Nashua South - Tons of potential for Joseph, who is a jumping jack with athleticism to burn.
3. Mike Auger, Hopkinton - He's a 6'4" bull, and he's only going to get better.
4. Travis Descoteaux, Trinity - Getting significant minutes for a team like Trinity as a freshman is a big deal.
5. Rene Maher, Pembroke - Terrific young player. Would be higher but he's not likely to get much taller than the 5'7" he is now.
6. Matt Persons, Pembroke - Plenty of upside for this solid 5'11" two guard.
7. Tate Jozokos, Kingswood - This past year he was the starting quarterback and starting point guard for Kingswood's football and varsity teams...as a freshman!
8. Mabor Gabriel, Trinity - Raw game but he's 6'5" with lots of upside.
9. Brandon Malloch, Merrimack - He's 6'2" with the skills of a guard and good athleticism.
10. David Hampton, Lebanon - 5'10" combo-guard might be the top shooter in the class.

Crusader Jamboree Recap

Top Girls Players in New England Compete

This past Sunday it was the kickoff of the 2010 girls AAU season, with all of the top teams competing in the Crusader Jamboree. There were freshmen, sophomores and juniors in action, and participating programs included the Mass Rivals, New England Crusaders, Rhode Island Breakers, Connecticut Blazers, Lady Bombers and Lone Wolf.

There were talented players from prep schools as well as high schools, and all 6 states in New England. This site of course focuses on Mass. and NH, and high school players. Below are the day's standout performers from those categories:

Massachusetts
Natalie Gomez, Andover (2011) - The 5'7" Gomez showed that she is a Division I caliber basketball player. She has a college ready game at the point guard position. Gomez is extremely quick, and handled the ball better than anyone else in the gym on Sunday. She can dribble, shoot, run, pass and defend as well or better than anyone we saw on this day.

Lizzy Ball, Manchester Essex (2011) - Very tough player who never stops battling. They weren't even keeping score at these games, but she was still diving on the floor for loose balls which was nice to see. The 5'8" guard showed the skills to play the 1 or the 2. She has a knack for scoring the basketball but can also create for teammates.

Nicole Beresford, Marshfield (2011) - Beresford was playing on the same team as Gomez, so it would have been easy for her to get overshadowed. But the 5'11" junior forward still made plenty of plays out there to get noticed. Beresford has a strong body, good quickness and showed that she can play inside or outside, as well as a solid mid-range game.

Maggie Brown, Wilmington (2012) - Most of the standout players at this event were juniors, but Brown was possibly the best sophomore in the gym. Nobody has more toughness down low than Brown, and she is an timidating force for any opposing forward or center.

Brooke Stewart, Masconomet (2012) - Stewart is a prototypical wing player. She has the size, solid frame and skill set to play the two-guard position at the next level. That's saying a lot considering she is also just a sophomore. The 5'10" Stewart can score by shooting it from the outside or off the dribble and is also a solid defender.

Melissa Miller, Central Catholic (2011) - The 6'0" forward Miller showed a versatile game, with the ability to play in the low post as well as stepping outside and show off her mid-range game. Miller is a very smart player and a strong defender as well.

Kellie McDonald, Danvers (2011) - McDonald was one of the better Rivals players on the day, no question. The 6'0" forward made plays all afternoon, both inside and outside. She showed range out to 18 feet from the basket shooting the ball, as well as the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish. McDonald also defended 3 different positions on the court as well.

Gabie Polce, Central Catholic (2011) - Polce was a very steady player out there, playing mistake free basketball and scoring both on the break and from the outisde. The 5'9" wing player has a solid handle as well as a good mid-range game.

New Hampshire
Melissa Frase, Kennett (2011) - Frase was one of the 3 or 4 players who impressed the most on the day. There is nothing flashy about her game, and she's isn't the biggest, fastest or most athletic player out there. But this girl can flat out play the game of basketball. She can handle the ball, shoot it, pass it and is excellent in the open court. The 5'8" Frase plays the game at a fast pace, and has incredible court awareness.

Caitlin Ackerman, Nashua South (2011) - Ackerman played very well on the day, as the 6'0" forward operated effectively in the high post against the zone. She showed good footwork, as she turned and faced up to the basket and then either hit the 15 foot jump shot, drove the lane or hit the open teammate. Ackerman showed good quickness, a strong frame and the versatility to play inside or out.

Allie Wagner, Kennett (2011) - Wagner gets to play on the Crusaders with her high school teammate Frase, and you can tell that they have been playing together for awhile. Wagner was one of the top shooters in the gym, and had the quickness to really move up and down the court as fast as anyone. The 5'7" guard showed the ability to not only score but set up for teammtes as well.

Danielle Walczak, Oyster River (2011) - Walczak combined with Brown to form an unbeatable 1-2 punch in the paint for the 17U Crusaders Blue team. The 6'1" Walczak showed good footwork, and the ability to get good position on the low block. She also saw the floor well, and was able to hit the open player when the double team came.

Savannah Butterfield, Londonderry (2011) - Butterfield is tough as nails, and showed a well rounded game for the Rivals team. She's 5'10" and can play guard or forward effectively. Butterfield has good athleticism and a solid mid-range jump shot.

Alex Cohen, Bishop Guertin (2012) - Cohen was one of the better defenders on the Rivals team, and also hit a number of jump shots in the 15-20 foot range.

NH Girls Junior All-Star Game Recap

Class I Players More than Hold Their Own

Last but not least, we look back at the NH Girls Junior All-Star game, which was played on March 21 at the Rockingham Athletic Club. In New Hampshire, most folks would agree that Class L is a better league than Class I when it comes to girls basketball. However, you could make the argument that the top 3 players in this game were all Class I players (Walczak, Frase and Wagner). With that, here are our player evaluations:

(All players Class of 2011 unless otherwise stated)

Big Games for...
Danielle Walczak 6'1" Oyster River - There was plenty of talent in this game, but if you had to choose one player who looked the best out there it would be Walczak. Fresh off winning the Class I Player of the Year Award earlier in the day, the 6'1" junior forward showed an excellent all around game in the paint. She has a big, strong body which enabled her to score and rebound against anybody down low, and she also ran the floor and defended well.

Caitlin Ackerman 6'0" Nashua South - Ackerman was another low post player who was impressive. The 6'0" junior was a force on the boards as well as scoring the basketball either by posting up or on offensive rebounds. She also has a strong body which helps in the paint, but at the same time has the quickness to beat opposing forwards down the floor.

Melissa Frase 5'8" Kennett - Frase can play the 1 or the 2, and she did just about everything you could want a guard to do out there. She hit shots, she pushed the ball in transition to create layups for her team, made some very nice passes and defended exceptionally well. Frase also has very good strength for a 5'8" player.

Jasmine Theroux 5'9" Trinity - Theroux was quiet in the first half, but she really started to assert herself in the second. Theroux made some nice, strong drives to the basket, including a coast-to-coast finish. She is a prototypical point guard, looking to set up her teammates first but also can score if need be.

Allie Wagner 5'8" Kennett - After the way she played in the Class I tournament, everyone in NH should know who Wagner is by now. The 5'8" junior can also play either guard spot, and is a lethal scorer. She didn't score a ton of points this game, but did all of the little things well, such as hustling after loose balls and making smart passes.

Savannah Butterfield 5'10" Londonderry - Butterfield is a very tough, hard nosed player who showed no mercy out there. She defended well, and scored off the dribble as well as via the mid-range jump shot. Butterfield showed that she can play inside or outside.

Deanna Purcell 5'9" Alvirne - The 5'9" wing player is an extremely smart player who very rarely takes a play off. Purcell was arguably the best shooter on the floor, and she also got after it on the defensive end. She was able to shoot, dribble and pass the basketball as well as anyone in this game.

Other Stock Risers...
Susie French 5'10" Portsmouth - French showed that she was a versatile player, as she was comfortable battling down low as well as playing out on the perimeter. She displayed the ability to shoot the basketball from the outside as well as playing tough defense.

Samantha Brenner 6'2" New Hampton School (2012) - Brenner, playing for Maddy Blais who was out sick, showed good size and versatility. She's 6'2" with long arms, which really helps on defense and when rebounding the basketball. At the same time, she has good quickness for a player her height.

Kayla Janowski 5'10" Exeter - Janowski was very active and making plays all over the floor when she was in the game. She is a forward who is tough, scrappy and played good team basketball.

Jenn Bujnowski 6'1" Salem - Tough inside player who was the game's best rebounder outside of Walczak. Bujnowski has good size, and uses it to her advantage by being physical and getting good position around the basket.

Rachael Carter 5'9" Merrimack - Carter is a wing player who was very active. She always seemed to have the basketball in her hands or was making a play for her team. Carter made some strong drives to the basket.

Ali Beauregard 5'7" Portsmouth - Beauregard showed some excellent ball handling abilities, and has the size and skill set to play either guard position. She has good strength for a 5'7" player, which allows her to play tough defense as well as finish in the paint against taller players.

Others Who Played Well...
Katie Cullerot 5'8" John Stark - Solid guard who showed good decision making abilities in open court.
Ashley Gendron 5'8" Manchester Memorial - Gendron hustled on every play, and was one of the better shooters in this game.
Olivia Lacroix 5'8" Manchester Central - Solid two guard who really competed hard out there.
Katie Matatall 5'9" Timberlane - Matatall showed a good all around game, good quickness and solid ball handling.
Christan Wojtas 5'10" Souhegan - Wojtas showed off an excellent shooting stroke, as well as the ability to put the ball on the floor.
Lauren Cordts 5'11" Souhegan - Cordts is a hardworking forward who battled all game long against some of the top bigs in the state.
Danielle Kimball 5'9" Pinkerton - Kimball competed hard every minute she was out there, showing some good quickness at the guard position.

Mass. Boys Juniors All-Star Game Recap

Game of the Night Had Big Comeback

Game 6 of 7 that we look back at from the MA-NH High High School Basketball Report All-Star Showcase will be the Mass. Boys Junior Game. There was definitely no shortage of talent in this contest. In fact, this game was probably the highlighted game of the night, as the White Team came back from a 30 point second half deficit to win it. Here are our player evaluations:

(all players are in the class of 2011)

Big Games for...
Pat Connaughton 6’4 St. John’s Prep - Connaugton did it all in this one. He finished on break, in traffic, and off the bounce. He rebounded on both ends of the court and made some impressive mid range pull-up jumpers. What is most impressive about this young man is the intensity he plays the game with.

Zach Auguste 6’9 Marlborough - Auguste showed why he is likely to be a major Division 1 Basketball player. He has a great skill set and makes the game look easy. He handles the ball exceptional in the open court and has an excellent crossover. He is 6’9, long, athletic, can shoot the ball, as well as beat his opponent off the dribble. Enough said.

Joe Mussachia 6’5 Manchester Essex - The lanky lefty showed his ability to score the basketball. Mussachia has developed his perimeter game and showed his ability to play inside and out. He has a solid all around game.

Zach Hurynowicz 6’2 Burlington - Hurynowicz is a tough, athletic point guard and a great competitor. He used his exceptional speed and impressive crossover and to get to the rack and finish. He rebounds well for a guard, and was most effective when leading the break.

Joe Bramanti 6’2 Andover - Bramanti is an aggressive guard who really competes out there. Although it was an all-star game, Bramanti played hard and took over during stages of the game. He can knock down the three and also was able to use his physical strength to get to the basket.

Cedric Kuakumensah 6’7 Worcester North - Kuakumensah is long and athletic and dominated this game in the paint. He has a reputation of being one of the best shot blockers around, and he had a couple of great send backs during this game. Kuakumensah defends the perimeter and the post, which makes him a weapon. It was apparent tonight that Kuakumensah has improved his dribbling and shooting skills.

Other Stock Risers...
Bryan Hurley 5’11 BC High - Hurley showed tonight that he is a pure point guard that can make basketball plays. He can just flat out play the position. He has an exceptional basketball IQ, and plays very hard. Defensively he showed he could stay in front of some very quick ballplayers.

Mack Burt 6’4 St. Johns Prep - Burt played extremely well tonight making shots and rebounding the basketball. He has improved significantly since last year and demonstrated in this game that he can shoot it and finish against much bigger players. Burt is also not afraid to mix it up in the paint.

John Henault 6'2" St. Bernard's - Henault was one of the key players in the White Team comeback. He played some tough, full court defense to force turnovers and kept pushing the tempo offensively by hitting the open man for layups or by making jump shots of his own. Henault is a very solidly built 6'2" guard.

Anthony Barry 6'3" Milford - Barry continues to show that he is one of the more underrated players in this class. He is particularly effective on the offensive end, where he is extremely quick off the dribble, and has the strength and athleticism to finish at the rim. He can also knock down the outisde shot.

Tevin Falzon 6'7" Newton North - The three words that best described Falzon were big, powerful and skilled. The 6'7" junior has a big, strong, wide body and plays physical in the pain. But he also has the quickness to run the floor defend the perimter.

Others Who Played Well...
Pat Gooden 6'2" Belchertown - Gooden certainly showed that he can play with the top players in the class. He is a very quick, athletic ballplayer.
Connor Macomber 6'1" St. John's Prep - Solid player who can play either guard position. Made a nice spin move and finish in traffic.
Brima Rogers 5'11" Concord Carlisle - True point guard who is quick and explosive with the basketball in his hands. This allowed him to push the ball and get in the lane to make plays.
Justin Perron 6'1" North Attleboro - Perron is a smart player, didn't try to do too much out there, and can definitely shoot it if left open.