Ally Watkins Hits 1,000 Point Milestone

Ally Watkins Nets 29 on Way to 1,000 Point

Wareham senior center Ally Watkins scored her 1,000 career point on Friday evening. The milestone point came with three minutes left in a 74-50 win over Case in a South Coast Conference match-up. Watkins led all scorere with 29 points in the win.

Olivia Healey Nets Triple-double in Reading Win

Olivia Healey Leads Reading

Sophomore Olivia Healey netted a triple-double last night compiling 23 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals as Reading defeated Stoneham 69-56 in Middlesex League action.

Healey has had an excellent sophomore campaign which has resulted in her being rated our #1 high school sophomore in Massachusetts. Healey is a tough combo forward who can play both inside and out. She is physical and relentless around the glass, but can step away and knock down the three. As can be seen by her 10 assists last night, she can really pass the basketball as well. Her versatility and toughness make her a tough matchup for most forwards her age.

Jacob Morales Buzzer-Beater Fitting for Central Leader

Jaycob Morales Buzzer-Beater Sinks Andover

How fitting that 6'0" point guard Jaycob Morales hit the game winning shot last evening with time expiring to give the Raiders a 59 - 56 win over Andover in front of a standing-room only crowd at Andover High School. The win moved Central Catholic to 13-0 in the MVC and 17-1 overall. The Warriors moved to 13 -4 on the season.

Morales played all 32 minutes, scoring a modest 10 points, in the Merrimack Valley Conference showdown between two of the best teams in Massachusetts last night never making his way to the bench for a break. The 32 minute performance shows just how important he is to the Raiders. And when he did make his way to the sidelines during a timeout or between quarters, Morales, like always, joined the coaching staff shouting out directions to his teammates.

Morales is your old fashion type of player. He has a brilliant basketball mind and understands the game. He plays real real hard, needs to win, and he coaches the team while he is on the floor. You need a momentum swing, Morales can't dunk it as he can probably just reach the rim. However, he'll find another way to make the big play. Frequently it's on the defensive end where he is often seen taking the big charge against the opponents best player. Not just once, he may take a charge twice, three, four, or even five times in one game. In a weeks work, Morales has as many charges as most players have in an entire high school career. Added to that, he gives you a six on five advantage every time he is on the floor as he both plays and coaches at the same time.

Yes, there are prospects better than Morales. Last night, Jimmy Zenevitch of Central Catholic proved why he is a top player in the State scoring 26 points including 14 points in a big fourth quarter rally by Central. Andover's Joe Bramanti was just as impressive as he had 22 points of his own and put Andover on his back much of the night. These two seniors have both had sensational senior campaigns and we have enjoyed watching them over the last four years. Zenevitch will head of to Assumption College on scholarship and Bramanti will likely travel to Prep School for a post grad year.

Having said that, Morales (a division 3 prospect) was the most Most Valuable Player on the floor last night. To take it a step further, Morales has played 18 games this season and has never been the best or most talented basketball player on the floor. But what he has been is the most important guy for a talented Raider basketball team. He just knows how to lead and win. Morales is just one of those guys that when you play pick up ball, and you have first pick, you are sure to call out his name. The reason is quite obvious, the losers sit. And Morales, he wants to win real bad and so don't you.

So last night it was fitting that Morales hit the shot to beat Andover and secure the Raiders undefeated (13-0) record in league play. He has earned a little of the spotlight.

West Springfield's Dana Theobald Scores 1,000th

Dana Theobald Score Her 1,000 Point Last Night

West Springfield junior point guard Dana Theobald scored her 1,000 point last night with 1:13 seconds remaining in the second quarter. With 13 points already, Theobald stepped to the free throw line and made two consecutive free throws to reach the milestone. Theobald finished with a game-high 17 points as the Terriers (15-2) defeated the visiting Cathedral 50-26 on senior night. Theobald’s name will be added to the list of West Side’s 1,000 point scorers that includes Colleen McCaffrey, Becky Donahue, Kathryn Barkman, Amanda Santos and Becky Wise.

Saint John's Richard Roger's and St. Bernard's John Henault Battle

John Henault May Be the Best Shooter In the State

Basketball fans packed the St. Bernard's gymnasium to see two of the state's top players last night. For St. Bernard's they have John Henault who can shoot lights out and has a sweet looking pull-up. He is our #8 player in the Mass class of 2011. For Saint John's Shrewsbury, they have Richard Rodgers who is our #9 ranked player in the Mass class of 2011. Rogers is a versatile player who can score around the basket.

In the end the Pioneers, who are the top ranked team in Central Mass were too much for St. Bernard's as they won 68-55. In a game that had the makings of an easy St. John's victory early, the Bernardians stormed back from a 10-point halftime deficit to take a 40-39 lead late in the third quarter before the Pioneers went to their inside game to pull away in the final eight minutes. Junior center Matt Palecki (15 points), who is our #16 rated junior, dominated the game inside in the fourth quarter.

As far as the big guns, Rodgers' had 13 points including a right-handed tomahawk dunk that put his team up 59-49 with about three minutes to play. For Henault, he finished with a game high 26 points as he showed his ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways.

Dana Theobald's 23 Not Enough for West Springfield

Dana Thobald's Scored 23 Points in Loss

Despite Dana Theobald's 23 points last evening, Holyoke was able to defeat West Springfield, 60-57, in big Valley Wheel girls basketball game The Holyoke win moves both teams to 14-2 on the season and tied for first place with four games each remaining.

The matchup pitted two of the region’s top point guards in Holyoke’s Monique Heard and West Sprinfield's Dana Theobald. The two juniors battled throughout the evening. In the end, Heard scored 17 points, including the most critical ones as she netted Holyoke’s last five points from the foul line. Theobald scored 23 points on the evening, but Holyoke managed to limit her to without a field goal during the final 17 minutes. Holyoke got a big night from junior Selena Yates, who scored 12 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and made seven steals.

High School All-Star Game Invitations Have Been Sent

The MA & NH High School All-Star game invitations were sent out to all juniors, sophomores, and freshman prospects in both MA and NH who are ranked on this site. If you have not received an invitation, please email us at manhhighschoolbasketballreport@gmail.com.

Also check out our Girls and Boys Showcases on Friday, March 18th and Sunday, March 19th at Reading Memorial High School. Some of the best talent in New England will be present.