Middlesex Magic Follows Summer with Tremendous Fall

Middlesex Magic Coach Mike Crotty Jr. at Williams College

The Middlesex Magic Basketball Club directed and coached by Mike Crotty Jr. had a tremendous Fall AAU Season. The Magic hosted their traditional first tournament of the Fall season before playing in the Rivals, Bay State Magic, and RI Hawks tournaments and will finish up with BABC's event this weekend.

Coach Crotty grew up as a member of the Middlesex Magic and became a talent under the tutelage of his late father Mike Crotty Sr. From there, Mike Jr. went on to Williams College where he starred. Crotty was known for his high basketball I.Q. as well as his determination and toughness on the court. He was a "winner" and became an All-American at Williams. Watching Crotty Jr., it becomes obvious that he brings much to the table including his experience on the court, his high basketball I.Q., as well as a toughness and determination that was instilled in him by dad. The late Mike Crotty Sr. would have been so proud of his son's work and the success of the Middlesex Magic players over the last few months.

Here is a look at some of the top high school talent that played for Middlesex Magic this Fall.

Pat Connaughton, 6'5 G - St. John's Prep
The backbone of the Middlesex Magic over the last couple of years turned in another exceptional Fall season doing everything for this team. Pat scored the ball from deep, off the dribble, and everywhere in between, while displaying his other worldly playmaking abilities. Mike Crotty Jr. calls him the best rebounding guard he has ever seen. He rebounds the ball over and against the biggest/most athletic players in the region, and his ability to play high above the rim is one of the many things that puts him in another stratosphere from most high school players. After his summer with the Middlesex Magic, Connaughton selected Notre Dame over UCLA, BC, and a slew of other high major scholarship offers.

Brandon Castro 5'10 PG - Arlington High School
Extremely fast an quick guard who penetrates the lane with ease to score and create opportunities for others. Tremendous on the ball defender who can guard 94 feet and cause tremendous problems for opposing ball handlers.

Jeff Amazan 6'3 G/F - East Boston High School
Very strong guard/froward who can score the ball from inside and out. An extremely versatile offensive player who can shoot the three, create his own shot off the dribble, and is a terrific second-chance points player on the offensive glass.

Peter Miller, 6'9 C - Winchester High School
A very long big man with exceptional hands and good footwork. Miller scores the ball very well with his back to the basket and can shoot the ball consistently well out to 16 ft. He is a much improved defender that blocked several shots a game this fall while anchoring the back of the Magic's defense.

Max Masucci, 6'1 G Hopkinton High School
Perhaps nobody played better for the Middlesex Magic this fall than Masucci. Known for his prolific shooting ability, Masucci displayed his versatility as he scored the ball is a variety of ways. He recorded multiple 30 point performances, and highlighted the season with a 40 point effort in a double overtime win against the RI Hawks.

Mike Corcoran, 5'10 G - BC High
An extremely quick and heady guard who can penetrate to score, create for others, as well as bury the deep jump shot. Nobody on the court works as hard or plays with more spirit and energy than Corcoran. A tenacious defender who always disrupts the flow for opposing teams.

Chris O'Keefe, 6'2 G - Lexington High School
O'Keefe takes pride in being the toughest, most hard-nosed player on the court, and he proved that time and again this Fall. He rebounds the ball exceptionally well from the guard position, and he can defend point guards, power forwards, and everything in between. Offensively he can score the ball going to the rim, from mid-range, as well as from behind the arc. OKeefe's has a never die attitude which impresses most that watch him play.

NH Girls Team Rankings

NH Girls Team Rankings

NH Boys Prospects

Class of 2011

Jared Fahmy (6'5", Bedford High School) - A good size forward, Fahmy is another one of many members of the class of 2011 that can really shoot the basketball. Fahmy also has a strong body and can compete on the boards. We like to see the forward put the ball to the floor more consistently.

Connor Green (6'4" forward, Bishop Guertin High School) - Green is a small forward who can shoot the basketball well. In watching Green, it is apparent that he can surely make shots behind the arc and he is a good athlete. At 6'4" tall, Green needs to improve his skill set so that he can play the guard position and needs to show he can cover a guard at the college level as well.

Ben Hill (6'9" center, Pittsfield High School) - Hill had an excellent summer with the Rivals Basketball club as he has continued to make great strides as a basketball player. One can not overlook Hill's size and athleticism. Still quite raw, Hill shows moments of division 1 potential as he can attack the basket and has nice touch from 12 feet in. The improved Hill needs to improve his low post moves and continue to develop a better understanding of the game. Hill already has interest from the University of New Hampshire and we expect that this year will be a breakout year for the big center.

Jamie Holder (6'2" guard, Milford High School) - Holder stock has continued to rise over the last year as he is now recognized as one of the best basketball players in New Hampshire. Holder is extremely athletic and is able to finish acrobatically around the rim. Holder, who plays the 2-guard for his high school team, has been playing the point for his Rivals AAU team. Holder is not yet secure with the basketball under pressure and needs to learn to slow the game down. An improved skill set will help him with this. Nonetheless, he has an excellent upside and will continue to grow as a basketball player as he gains more experience at the point position and gets a better feel for the game.

Mike O'Loughlin (6'2" guard, Milford High School) - O'Loughlin is an athletic guard that does a little bit of everything. We like O'Loughlin because he can get up and down the floor, score and transition, and make shots. If O'Loughlin has a weakness, it is that he tends to get out of control when the game is sped up. As he continues to develop his left hand he will have the confidence required to stay under control at all times. Nonetheless, this young man is fun to watch play and at times is exceptional.

David Madol (6'5" wing, Trinity High School) - There are many rumors swirling around about David Madol and what school he will be attending next year. But right now, Madol is still going to Trinity High School. If that is the case, Madol is easily the number 1 prospect in the class. Madol separated himself from his classmates by having an outstanding Spring and Summer for the Rivals Basketball Club. Madol game as evolved to make him a talented 6'5" wingman who can knock down the three, put the ball to the floor, and finish in traffic. Madol is extremely quick off his feet and a great rebounder in traffic. Madol hasn't any real deficiencies in his game, but we would love to see him compete at a high level every time he takes the floor. Madol is clearly a division 1 prospect as he has much interest at that level.

Sean McClung (6'4" forward, Bishop Guertin High School) - McClung is another combination guard/forward that can really shoot the basketball. Not the prettiest all the time, McClung gets it done on the offensive end of the floor as he can get his shot off even when he's covered. He knocks down the three on a pretty consistent basis. McClung needs to develop a better handle and a midrange game which will be required at the college level. Like his high school teammate Green, the question that surfaces when you watch this talent is in regard to what position he will be able to cover at the defensive end of the floor.

Steve Spirou (6'4" forward, Pelham High School) - Every time we watch Spirou play we leave the gym happy. Sprirou plays the game the way it's supposed to be played, i.e., always hard and with a purpose. Spirou is an all around player. We wouldn't call him exceptional at any one part of the game, but he is good at everything. He has an excellent basketball I.Q., can knock down shots and is active around the basket. This Spring and Summer, it was Spirou who was often the catalyst and difference maker for the Jayhawks. Spirou is intriguing as he does so many things to help a team win. Spriou needs to continue to improve his skill package and working to make his body stronger will help his case.

John Wickey (6'6" forward, Manchester Central High School) - We saw Wickey at the New England Recruiting Reports Top 75 early in July and then a week later as a member of the Granite State Jayhawks AAU team in Western Mass. Wickey has improved significantly and because of his size is an intriguing player. Wickey is long and moves well for a player of his size. We were also impressed with the way Wickey gets after the glass at both ends of the floor. Wickey needs to continue to improve his low post moves. We would not be surprised if Wickey finds himself playing in the division 2 Northeast Conference after his final high school season.

Class of 2012
Sylvere Aluko (6'9", Trinity High School) - Aluko is a much improved big guy who can run the floor, catch, and finish. He is also athletic, plays hard, and is active on the boards. His skill development has a long way to go. Nonethless, at his size, Aluko will surely have division 1 coaches following his progress over the next year.

Devin Gilligan (6'3", Souhegan High School) - Gilligan is a powerful basketball player that uses his body to get to the rim and finish. His skill set is a combination of guard and forward skills. Gilligan is known for his pretty spin move in the lane that has gotten him many baskets. Gilligan needs to improve and transform his game from a little less brute force to more finesse. Improving his shot and handle will help him with this and help him transform into a guard at the college level.

Ryan Gauthier (5'11', Nashua North High School) - Gauthier is an athletic guard that can score the basketball in bunches. Gauthier can make shots and can get to the rim and finish. Gauthier is also a competitor who plays the game hard and with a purpose. Gauthier's weakness is that he is impatient and sometimes can get out of control. A better understanding of game that comes with playing more games at a high level as well as improving his ball handling skills will help solve this problem.

Brad Holler (5'10", Bishop Guertin High School) - Holler is the best shooter in the class of 2012 as he can knock down threes from well beyond the NBA arc. Holler had an excellent summer where he demonstrated that he can do other things as well including putting the ball to the floor. Holler also has made huge improvements on the defensive end of the floor. Holler needs to continue to develop his game so he is a threat to put the ball to the floor and go by his opponent. This will make him a much bigger threat when he is squared to the basket at the three point line.

Javon Williams (5'10", Nashua North High School) - Williams is the most athletic player in New Hampshire High School basketball. He has a great body, is extremely fast, and has a killer crossover and an NBA looking jump shot that has him elevated way above his opponent when he releases. When Williams is playing well, he is one of those players that turns heads in a gymnasium with his athleticism and moves. Williams is also long and fast and get down and really cover on the defensive end of the floor. We would like to see him work on is handle a bit and we would like to see him compete every time he takes the floor. Williams has already received interest from many division 1 schools including the University of New Hampshire.

Class of 2013

Mike Auger (6'4", Hopkington High School) - Auger was virtually unknown until the Spring and Summer when he suited up for the Rivals. He is very athletic and has a great basketball body. Auger is a combination of guard and forward as he plays the game inside and out. He is as tough as player as we've seen in New Hampshire high school basketball as he is relentless on the glass. Auger has shown guard skills as well especially in regards to how he puts the ball to the floor. Auger need to continue to improve his skill set but surely will be a force to reckon with in the years to come.

Travis Descoteaux (5'11", Trinity High School) - Descoteaux is a versatile guard that understands how to attack from the perimeter. He has a well rounded game as he can make threes, can make the pull-up, and is exceptional at driving and kicking to others. Given he is undersized, Descoteaux skill set must get significantly better.

Dimitri Floras (6'0", Merrimack High School) - Floras had a great Freshman year for Merrimack High School and followed that with just as an impressive a Spring and Summer for the Rivals. Floras is an athletic guard who is tough and plays to win. Floras is known as a scorer and he has a great scoring mentality. He can make the three, has a sweet pull-up, and can get to the rim and finish. What has been most impressive about Floras over this recent Spring and Summer is how much better he has become as a play maker. It is quite apparent that Floras is more than on his way to becoming a legitimate college scholarship point guard. Floras task over the next year is to continue to secure his handle and improve his long range shooting.

Mabor Gabriel (6'6", Trinity High School) - Gabriel showed us flashes of how good he was during the high school season but has definitely made significant strides over the Spring and Summer. Gabriel can run the lanes, catch, and finish around the basket. He also has a real soft touch and can step away all the way to the three point line and make shots. Added to that, Gabriel can put the ball to the floor. Gabriel is a long wingman that has a great upside. His body has not matured yet and time will surely take care of that. Gabriel must continue to work on his skill set as he will likely make his living away from the basket.

Kaleb Joseph (5'11", Nashua South High School) - Joseph is a talented guard that has much potential. Joseph showed his talent this Spring and Summer as a member of the Expressions 15u Elite team. He has a quirky game, but a very effective one. He has a good handle, is unselfish with the basketball, and has a good basketball I.Q. He is able to create space off the dribble and can finish around the rim. Joseph body needs to develop and it will over time. He also needs to develop a better stroke from deep. Joseph has a chance to be very special.