NERR Junior Elite Saturday Evening Recap

Jonathan Perez Goes In For a Lay-up

The 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..

NERR Junior Elite Saturday Morning Recap

Derek Collins Gets to the Basket

The NERR Junior Elite Tournament in Plaistow, NH brought some of New England's best freshman talent and future high school talent together. We watched the Mass Rivals freshman team beat the New England Cyclones from Rhode Island. In that game, the Mass Rivlas guard tandem of 6'1" Derek Collins of North Andover and 6'1" Dimitri Floras of Merrimack, NH were too much for the Cyclones. Collins showed his ability to score in every way possible including knocking down four threes, two pull-ups, as well as finishing a couple of strong moves to the basket. Floras, on the other hand, made the game look easy with some impressive takes and finishes at the rim. Also impressive were Mass Rivals 6'5" forward Mike Auger of Hopkington, NH and 6'7" forward Alec Brennan from Weston.

We also took in the 14u Boston Blue Chips as they defeated the Mass Rivals in a competitive battle. In other 14 under action, the New England Playaz were too much for Visionary Basketball Club (VBC). The following players stood out in these 14u contests.

Aaron Falzon (6'5", Boston Blue Chips, Newton) - Falzon was a dominate player in this game controlling both ends of the floor. Falzon showed some great low post moves including some impressive spins and finishes. He also has a nice touch from the perimeter and was able to knock down a sweet looking three. Falzon was just as impressive on the defensive end blocking a slew of shots and changing just as many others. Falzon is clearly one of the top player in the Massachusetts upcoming 9th grade class and has a big future ahead of him.

Jack Boucher (5'11", Boston Blue Chips, Newton) - Boucher showed his ability to score the basketball by knocking down the three, hitting pull-ups, and getting to the rim. Boucher played agressively with a determination to win.

Wesley Curves (5'8", Mass Rivals, Lawrence) - Curves is lightning quick and is excellent leading transition. On several occassions, Curves got into the lane and threw on the money bounce passes for easy finishes. The eight grader also plays extremely hard and showed he can be a lock-up defensive.

Drew Belcher (6'3", Mass Rivals, Reading) - Belcher is a strong and athletic small forward who has a great body. Belcher played aggressively around the basket and had some nice finishes. He also was impressive down the defensive end as he battled for every rebound. As Belcher's offense develops, he will be a force in high school basketball.

Kahlil Walker (6'1", New England Playaz, Springfield) - Walker has a wide 6'1" frame which he uses to his adantage to rebound and create space. Walker showed great touch around the basket as he scored consistently in the paint. Walker also made a habit of comng up with every rebound that was up for grabs.

Nick Guerrero (5'10", New England Playaz, Chickopee) - Guerrero is a well rounded player who can score the basketball in a number of different ways including a pretty looking three. Guerrero also found his way to the rim and finished on a cosistent basis. Best of all, Guerrero plays hard all the time. He's a winner.

Nelson Zayas (5'6", New England Playaz, Springfield) - Zayas is a combination guard that showed he can knock down the three as he nailed 5 of them in the first half. He is alos quick in transition and is able to get to the rim and finish.

Max Butterbrodt (6'3", VBC, North Andover) - Butterbrodt is a strong and aggressive forward who can make score some around the basket. Butterbrodt was also impressive as he led the transition several times.

Quazi Appiah (6'3", VBC, Lowell) - The lanky forward showed some flashes of being special as he made some nice looking takes to the basket. Appiah is not yet consistent, but has a chance to be real special.

Terrance Mann (5'10", VBC, Lowell) - Mann is only a 7th grader, but he turned our heads with some excellent play at the point.

Recent Girls Standouts

Early-Summer Evaluations

Here are some players who we have seen at recent tournaments/workouts/games that have caught our eye.

Class of 2011
Catherine Cloutier, 6'0", Londonderry HS - Cloutier (pictured left) has taken her game to the next level, and really shined in one recent workout. She is really crashing the boards hard, and has been very active on both ends of the floor. The forward is most comfortable in the paint, but also has shown the ability to step out and hit the 15-18 foot jump shot. She is playing hard right now and playing with a purpose.

Tavia Rzasa, 5'6", Nashua High South - Rzasa was on the court in recent summer league action playing with her South teammates. She will form a nice 1-2 punch this season with forward Caitlin Ackerman. Rzasa is a solid do-it-all point guard who knows how to run an offense. She can shoot, handle the ball and plays hard defense.


Class of 2012
Brooke Stewart, 5'11", Masconomet HS - Stewart is another player who has really stepped up her game of late. The game now comes easy to her, there's no hesitation. When she catches the ball at the top of the key, on the wing or on the break she is a serious threat to put the ball in the basket, either off the dribble or hitting the jumper. Stewart is in excellent shape and keeps getting better.


Class of 2013
Meghan Green, 6'1", Bishop Guertin - Green has played well in recent games/workouts, and is primed to be one of the NHIAA's most dominating inside players next season. She is still only a freshman, but has good size, feel for the game and shooting touch from anywhere inside 15 feet. Green also runs the floor well.

Allie Hartford, 5'5" Manchester Memorial - Hartford has impressed every time we have seen her play. She has a very high basketball I.Q. and she is very unselfish but at the same time can score when she has to. She is extremely quick, plays tough defense and is an excellent ball handler. Hartford and Green are clearly the top 2 freshmen girls in NH.

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