NERR Freshman Elite 75 Recap

Aaron Falzon Was Impressive at NERR Showcase

The MA-NH High School Basketball Report spent the morning and afternoon at Boston University at the Freshman and Sophomore Elite 75 showcases. The talent at the event was exceptional as much of the best talent in New England found their way to Boston. As are all the events hosted by NERR, the event was extremely well run with an impressive instructional session followed by full court games.

The Freshman Elite showcase (the morning event) featured some of the best talent in New England. However this report covers only the most talented MA & NH High School Players. Here is what we saw:

The Best Five:

Aaron Falzon (6'6", Newton North H.S.) - Falzon showed that he has an exceptional skill set as he can shoot, dribble, and pass the basketball. On two back-to-back possessions, we saw the best of Falzon. On the first, Falzon rebounded, dribble out, and threw a beautiful outlet pass. On the next possession, the youngster stole a pass and dribbled the length of the court for a finish. Falzon has a nice touch and a real feel for the game.

Jeremy Miller (6'9", Milton H.S.) - Miller is a long and athletic forward who has star written all over him. Surely still a work in progress, we saw Miller connect on a sweet looking turnaround half hook.

Drew Shea (6'6", Medfield H.S.) - Shea is physical forward who plays the game with a purpose. We loved his toughness as he competed hard. The big guy showed us that he has touch from midrange and is very effective around the basket.

Kevin Connor (6'3", Mansfield H.S.) - Connor is long, athletic and active around the basket. Connor, who played at the perimeter much of the day, needs work on the shooting.

Darien Smith (6'1", West Roxbury H.S.) - There were four exceptional West Roxbury freshman in the gym today. But today it was Smith's turn to shine. Smith had an exceptional day showing that he is a versatile and talented player. He has a nice stroke from the perimeter, but is also very effective at going inside and banging with the big guys. Best of all, we saw Smith rebound, lead transition, and make a beautiful left handed bounce pass to his teammate.

The Best of the Rest

Jonathan Joseph (5'9", Brockton H.S.) - Josephs was one of the many talented point guards at the event. Joseph's showed he is a talented ball handler and seasoned guard. What was most impressive about Joseph's on this day was his beautiful crossover to a step back three that was all net.

Mike Rodriguez (5'8", West Roxbury H.S.) - Rodriguez is a true point guard who looks to distribute the basketball and make his teammates better.

Jalen Adams (6'0", Melrose H.S.) - Adams is an exceptional athlete that showed he can get to the basket at will. Adams will be special if he can develop the jump shot.

Markus Neale (6'1", West Roxbury H.S.) - Neale showed that he a talented guard that can both shoot the basketball and get into the lane.

Drew Belcher (6'3", Reading H.S.) - Belcher is an impressive looking athlete that has a nose for the basketball and is a physical presence on the floor. All morning, Belcher found a way to score the basketball.

Freddie Oliveira (6'3", West Roxbury H.S.) - Oliveira is a talented southpaw that has length and athleticism. Oliveira is very active and moves well without the basketball.

Quentin Bullen (6'0", Saint John's Prep) - Bullen scored the ball today in a number of ways including knocking down the three, in transition, and off the offensive glass.

Brian Mukasa (5'9", Sharon H.S.) - The talented point guard showed great speed and athleticism and is excellent in transition as he knows how to advance the basketball and makes the appropriate dish each and every time.

Ryan Murphy (6'2', Winchester H.S.) - Murphy showed that he has a good skill set and his best days are ahead.

Frank Monteiro (6'3', Canton H.S.) - Monteiro was effective both on the glass as well as scoring around the basket.

Andrew Lechner (6'2", Pinkerton Academy, NH) - Lechner showed that he can score the basketball. He has an excellent three point stroke and a very good pull-up as well.

Liam Bruno (6'0", Newton North) - Bruno is a tough and hard nose guard that gets after it on both ends of the floor. Bruno showed that he understands the game and knows how to put himself in positions to score.

Richard Santos (5'9", Whitinsville Christian) - Santos was able to get into the middle with ease and showed that he can finish around the basket with both hands.

Best of Best Showcase Recap

Division 1 Prospect Nicole Boudreau led a list of 160 girl at the Best of Best Showcase

The Mass & New Hampshire High School Basketball Report was on hand for the 2010 Best of the Best Showcase at Babson College last weekend. There were 160 participants that took part in the action coming from as far as New York and Pennslyvannia. The event drew many of the region’s top prospects to compete against one another. Those high school girls that impressed were:

Class of 2011:
Brenna Gonsalves ( 5'11", Coyle Cassidy ) – Gonsalves was very impressive showing the ability to get the rim at will against her opponents. Gonsalves also showed a much improved jump shot .
Catherine Cloutier (6'0", Londonderry ) – Cloutier is a blue collar forward who plays the game with great intensity. Cloutier ran the floor great converting several easy lay ups. Cloutier also showed the ability to connect from beyond the arc.

Cheyenne Jennings (5'6", Wachusett Regional ) Jennings played with great intensity. She showed a natural knack for setting teammates up for easy baskets. She also showed the ability to get to the rim and knock down shots from beyond the arc.

Danielle Perkings (5'8", Woburn ) Perkings had a great day putting the ball in the basket. She has improved greatly since the last time we saw her. Perkings shot the ball extremely well throughout the day.

Emily Martin (5'11", Trinity) Martin displayed a much improved post game. She did a great job getting position on the low block and converting them for points. She also showed the ability and defend .

Class of 2012:
Nicole Boudreau (5'10", Andover) Boudreau showed us once again that she has the ability to put the ball in the hoop at will . Boudreau had some very nice moves to the basket and connected from beyond the arc several times.

Lia Nawn (5'9", Trinity ) Nawn displayed an all around game. She played equally as hard on both ends of the floor. Nawn showed a great deal of poise on offense. She shot the ball extremely well from the outside.

Lexi Sells (5'10", Bishop Feehan) Sells had a tremendous day and was virtually unstoppable. Plays the game with great intensity both offensively and defensively. She was very comfortable driving the ball to the hoop and scoring against contact. She also made a great deal of defensive plays which lead to easy baskets.

Jane White (5'6", Souhegan) White was very good all day. Played the game with great intensity . She did a great job knocking the three from the outside. She also showed the ability to set up her teammates for easy baskets .

Lauren Hebert (5'10", North Reading) Hebert was the surprise of the day. She has great size for a point guard. She knocked down shots from the outside , had some silky smooth pull ups and some very nice drives to the basket. She is one of the most improved players in the class.


Class of 2013
Morgan O’Brien (5'9", Reading) It was our first time seeing O’Brien and she made a lasting impression. O’Brien’s game is well beyond her years. Has a very good understanding of the game. O’Brien demonstrated that she has a sensational stroke from the outside and also displayed the ability to finish in traffic.

Michela North (6'2", Duxbury) North has very good size for a youngster. She showed the ability to run the floor and finish. North was very smooth and had a soft touch. She also showed a willingness to battle on the boards.

Elizabeth Laing (5'8", Pinkerton Academy ) Laing was very good showing the ability to score from all angles on the floor. She was very good in transition and does a great job with utilizing her speed and quickness.

Casey McLaughlin (6' 0", Central Catholic) McLaughlin is a competitive forward who plays hard and with a purpose. She showed a natural ability to attack the basket and finish with authority. She can also play the game at a fast pace. McLaughlin has a huge upside.

Ashley Lutz (6'1", Lincoln Sudbury ) Lutz is a small forward who has great size and skill. She showed the ability to knock down shots and also finish in traffic

MA-NH Recruiting Report To Attend NERR Elite 75

The New England Elite 75 Boys Showcase is the most prestigious in the region, designed specifically for New England's top prospects. The Elite 75 - Frosh/Soph Edition, being held this weekend, will put many of the region's best underclassmen on the same court at the same time. Each participant will receive advanced skill instruction, an opportunity to prove themselves in exposure games, and an evaluation from NERR and the MA-NH Recruiting Report.

This years event will take place at Boston University this Saturday, September 25th with the Freshman kicking things off at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Sophomores at 2:00 p.m. The MA-NH Recruiting Report will be in attendance to take in the action. We expect that some new faces will join our rankings after the events.