2018 NEPSAC Class B Showcase Top Players

The New England Prep School Athletic Counsel (NEPSAC), like many state high school associations, divides its Class A through Class D teams by school (male) population size. The challenge for their seeding committees in choosing their post-season championship tournaments participants is that the region covers seven different states. Consequently, the teams that feel that they may be contenders for one of those eight tourney seeds frequently try to travel and face other contenders from outside of their regions.

This weekend Marianapolis Prep, located near the Connecticut/Massachusetts border, hosted a full slate of NEPSAC Class B teams who played each other in some very important season openers.

Like most of the NEPSAC contenders’ rosters, these were heavily laden with college prospects.

Garret Coe (2019) 6’6 forward, The Gunnery (CT) - Hard working player with a polished offensive game. Aggressive player on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Explosive offensive player.

John Coleman (2019) 5’11 guard, The Gunnery (CT) - High energy player on both sides of the ball. Good outside shooter and is able to knock down shots all across the floor. Attacks the basket strongly.

Julian Marlowe (2019) 6’5 forward, The Gunnery (CT) - Soft touch around the rim. Active on the offensive and defensive glass. A strong and built player. He has the ability to knock down the outside shot.

Brian Kenyon (2019) 6’0 guard, Millbrook School (NY) - (Claremont McKenna commit) - tough and bruising lefty guard who attacks the rim in transition and the half-court.  He is eager to share the wealth and should be a strong facilitator for Millbrook this year.

Jim Coulter (2019) 5’10 guard, Millbrook School (NY) - (Roanoke commit) - 3 and D type player.  Makes open looks from multiple levels on the floor and is a ball-hawk defensively.

AJ Morales (2019) 6’0 guard, Millbrook School (NY) - (Roger Williams commit) - A coach’s son, who has worked hard to develop beyond just being a shooter.  Has the potential to score in bunches and will do so this year for Millbrook. 

Spencer Curto (2019) 6’4 guard, Millbrook School (NY) - (Gettysburg commit) - A long wing who is a lights out shooter from deep.  He plays hard and rebounds harder.  The type of player who will do damage in the Centennial Conference next year.

Jayden Reaves (2019) 6’2 guard, Millbrook School (NY) - (waiting on acceptance from Dartmouth) - A four year senior at Millbrook, Reaves gives the Mustangs heady and mature leadership.  Able to make shots at three different levels, he is a consistent scoring and facilitation threat with the ball in his hands.

Tyler Burton (2019) 6’5 forward, Marianapolis Prep (CT) - (Richmond Commit) Long, athletic wing who is the reigning NEPSAC Class B Player of the Year. Averaged a double-double last year and is also a rim protector.

Stephon Baxter (2019) 5’10 point guard, Marianapolis Prep (CT) - Incredible floor leader, great change of pace and ability to finish around the rim in many ways. Much improved from the perimeter, mid-range has always been there. Interest from D2’s and Academic D3’s.

Owen Soontjens (2019) 6’2 shooting guard, Marianapolis Prep (CT) Polished shooter who is tough to stop when he gets going downhill. Excellent defender who is built strong and tough. High Academic D3’s are involved.

Justin Cort (2019) 5’10 point guard, Marianapolis Prep (CT) Missed last year at the Hun School (NJ) because injury. Tough point guard, creates around the basket, and has exceptional quickness. Can shoot it from beyond the arc and has quick pull-up game as well. D2 and D3 interest.

Raymond Espinal-Guzman (2021) 6’7 forward, Marianapolis Prep (CT) - Long athletic forward who can put it on the floor and can really shoot it from outside. Very disruptive force on the defensive end. Expressions (MA) AAU product who is just starting to put his game and body together. D1 schools will be calling soon.

Anthony Morales (2020) 6’7 guard, Beaver Country Day School (MA) - Smooth guard with size.  Excellent passer with great vision.  Excellent three-point shooter.  Needs to get stronger.  Has been offered by Bryant University.  Serious interest from the University of Buffalo.

Vondre Chase (2020) 6’6 forward, Beaver Country Day School (MA) - High motor defender.  Competes at both ends at a very high level.  Beginning to develop a 3 point shot.  An athlete with tremendous quickness.

Shyheim Odom (2022) 6’5 guard, Beaver Country Day School (MA) - Nationally ranked player in his class.  1 of 28 players in Class of 2022 invited to try out for USA Basketball 16U National team.  Physically developed for a freshman.  Tremendous court vision. High basketball IQ.

Christopher Rey (2022) 6’7 forward, Beaver Country Day School (MA) - Knock down 3 point shooter.  Developing his attack game.  High basketball IQ.  Needs to get physically stronger.

Byron Breland (2019) 6’3 guard, Hamden Hall (CT) (NJIT commit) - Returning All New England honoree. A very athletic guard that finishes at the rim on most drives. Aggressive defender that gets many steals. Scores in bunches. Solid shooter from mid and three.

Christian Adams (2019) 6’5 wing, Hamden Hall (CT) (Pace University commit)  - Good sized wing that competes at both ends at a high level. Very good 3pt shooter and can also finish at the rim. Rebounds on both ends. A great steal for Pace University.

Tim Dawson (2019) 6’1 combo guard, Hamden Hall (CT) -Dawson transferred into Hamden Hall last year as a re-classed junior, after being a key member on Connecticut’s number 1 ranked state association team. Last year he, Adams and Breland all landed all FAA honors and captured the FAA championship. A clear winner. Has great change of speed moves. Good shooter and likes to attack the rim in transition.

Jackson Benigni (2020) 6’2 combo guard, Hamden Hall (CT) - 2017-18 1st team Connecticut All State at Xavier H.S. This past summer, Benigni made the same move as his three HH teammates did a year earlier: make a loud statement with his CIAC play and then tranfer into Hamden Hall to benefit from NEPSAC competition and exposure opportunities.  Very good shooter and has solid handle. Competes on every possession. 

Muhamed Kante (2021) 5’11 guard, Holderness School (NH) - A starter as a freshman, Kante is looking to have a break out second year. He is a good shooter and also has the ability to get to the basket. His coach says that he is continuing to make strides as a leader on the floor.

Bryce Johnson (2019) 6’3 guard, Holderness School (NH) - Bryce joined Holderness as a PG after four years at Bishop Brady (NH). He is a good overall player that can play multiple positions. He brings a lot of experience to this team. His coach says his three point shot is becoming more consistent.

Carter Storey (2020) 6’4 guard, Holderness School (NH) - Carter is beginning his third year with Holderness. In his first two years he developed into one of the most consistent three point shooters. Coach Kampmann is looking for Storey to step into a leadership role this winter.

Yansel Reyes (2021) 6’2 guard, Holderness School (NH) - Yansel enters his first year in the program. He is a good defender and has a quick first step getting to the basket. He is continuing to be a more consistent outside threat.

 

Tray Alexander (2020) 5’9 guard, Canterbury School (CT) - Alexander is a quick, tenacious on ball defender. Great speed in the open court with the ability to get in the lane. Alexander is projected as D1 player.

Charlie Campbell (2020) 6’2 guard, Canterbury School (CT)  Campbell has established a rep for being a tough competitor who makes winning plays. Good athlete can score from deep and off the dribble.  Canterbury coach, Brian Baudinet believes that Campbell will land at either D1 or D2 in his college play.

Marlon Short (2020) 6’5 guard, Canterbury School (CT) - Here is an athletic run and jump wing who can create his own shot. Has ability to finish at the rim. His game will get him into NCAA D1 ball.

 

Joe Hoch (2019) 6’2 guard, Canterbury School (CT) (Trinity College commit) - Hoch is a speedy guard who can knock down 3s. Confident player not afraid to take big shots.

Bryan Powell (2019) 6’6 forward, Canterbury School (CT) - This is unorthodox but efficient player, who will likely earn a full ride at the next level. A crafty inside player can also put it on the floor from the perimeter.

Eric Massing (2019) 6’7 forward,  Canterbury School (CT) - In Massing, we have a long forward with big hands, he can grab rebounds in traffic. Effective post player who can really run the floor. D1’s will be on the case.

Scott Vollmer (2019) 7’0 center, St Lukes School (CT) Vollmer is one of the tallest players in New England, and his ability to use his height to his advantage has improved in every year at SLS.  He has been a strong rim protector with, but now has added a good shooting touch at all three levels.

Chuck Clemons (2019) 6’0 point guard, St Lukes School (CT) – Clemons is another successful CIAC player who has now transferred into the NEPSAC to raise his level of play and exposure. He is a slashing point guard with a good mid-range game and has range out to the three-point line.  Coach’s son basketball IQ and a good decision-maker.

Christian Jones (2023) 6’2 wing, St Lukes School (CT) - For the second year in a row, St Lukes’ varsity will use the services of one of Connecticut’s outstanding 8th graders. Jones’ older brother gets paid to play basketball in Europe. One can clearly see the family resemblance on the floor. He is slashing combo guard who finishes well through contact and finds the open man.  Has range out to the three-point line.  Good lateral quickness, pressures the ball well.

Jah’khi Washington (2023) 6’3 small forward, St Lukes School (CT)  - Considered by some as one of the nation’s best in his class. Returning this year after starting as an 8th grader on a Class B championship contending team.  Washington is a very long-armed and explosive leaper which, among other things, makes him good finisher at the rim.  Strong rebounder on both ends of the floor.  When defenders back off in order to survive his lethal drives, Washington will bury the uncontested three.

Eljay Morris (2020) 6’5 forward, The Governor’s Academy (MA) - Morris is a high-level athlete with range and ability to play off the bounce.  Solid defender who can disrupt the opponent’s offense and can guard multiple positions.

Peyton O’Leary (2021) 6’2 guard, The Governor’s Academy (MA) - Athletic, tough combo guard who is agile and effective in the lane, and can shoot the deep ball.  O’Leary is a solid on-the-ball defender and a predator in the passing lanes.  He can guard whomever he is asked to.

John Gorgol (2020) 6’5 swing, The Governor’s Academy (MA) - Gorgol is a skilled wing with good range and the ability to make everyone on his team better.  Has a relentless work ethic on both ends of the floor, and does all the little things every team needs to win with his high basketball IQ.

Jason Mahoney (2020) 6’4 swing, The Governor’s Academy (MA) - A long and skilled guard/wing who can stretch the floor. Solid defender who can disrupt the offense and can guard multiple positions.

Marcus Bucknall (2021) 6’5 forward, The Governor’s Academy (MA) - Skilled stretch forward who is good off the bounce and has good range. He has excellent vision and the skill set to create a play for himself or his teammates.

Ricky Martin (2019) 5’11 point guard, Pomfret School (CT) - Martin was out with a fractured fibula and will return to action in January.  The smooth point guard created some buzz this fall for college coaches who visited Pomfret’s gym.  He is tough as nails, unselfish, and really competes.  He can score on multiple levels with a smooth stroke from three.

Nate Karren (2019) 6’8 forward, Pomfret School (CT) - Karren transferred in from Sacramento, CA and is a skilled big with and excellent stroke from three and a multitude of moves in the post.  He has a great feel for the game and puts his teammates in position to score.  While athleticism is not his best trait, he is always in position defensively and is the quarterback on both ends of the floor.  He is being recruited by Cornell, Columbia, Hartford, Air Force, Assumption, Williams, Wesleyan. Has a 3.5 GPA and a 1310 SAT

Jack Srinivasan (2019) 6’2 guard, Pomfret School (CT) - Srinivasan is from Red Bank, NJ and is a skilled and heady guard.  The best thing he does is shoot it and can knock them down in bunches when he gets going.  Defensively, he is a great communicator and an excellent positional defender.  Jack rebounds well on the defensive end for a guard.

Andrew Lufkin (2020) 6’2 guard, Pomfret School (CT) – Lufkin is DC Blue Devils New Hampshire AAU product.  While he has to play a fair share of point guard due to injuries, Lufkin is much better off the ball.  He has a competitive edge defensively.  He has a solid stroke from three and makes the right play almost every time when he puts it on the ground.

Justinas Norkus (2020) 6’8 forward, Millbrook School (NY) – A potential D2 player, Norkus is a skilled European big man.  He is able to score over his left shoulder in the post and can make shots out to the three-point line.  He will need to learn how to run the floor and play more physically around the rim if he wants to reach his potential collegiately.

Colby Martins (2020) 5’9 guard, Millbrook School (NY) – Don’t let his small stature fool you; Martins is a killer on the floor.  He is able to finish with both hands amongst the trees.  His craftiness and shot-making ability make him a dangerous offensive player.  The energy he plays with makes him fun to watch!

Charlie Weisberg (2021) 6’2 guard, Millbrook School (NY) – A long guard who can make shots.  He will need to continue to develop foot speed and his handle to develop into a scholarship player but, as a sophomore, he has tons of potential.

Dylan Farley (2021) 6’5 forward, Millbrook School (NY) – Farley has a thick frame that gives him the ability to be effective on the interior but also shows glimpses of perimeter skill that make him a unique sophomore for his size.  One to watch for moving forward.

Cole Prowitt-Smith (2019) 6’3 guard, Greens Farms Academy (CT) (Williams College commit) – Returning All New England honoree.  An athletic and shifty scorer, with NBA 3pt range. Passed on multiple D1 offers to go the High Academic route at Williams. NESCAC beware!

Greg Lawrence (2019) 6’7 forward, Greens Farms Academy (CT) (Emory University commit) - Should be listed in the basketball dictionary under the term “double-double”. He patrols the paint on both ends of the floor like he owns it.  Lethal over either shoulder.

Teddy Brown (2019) 6’8 forward, Greens Farms Academy (CT) – “Can’t teach height”. Brown is long and mobile.  Very lethal in the pick-n-pop game, with his very reliable 3pt shot. High academic.

David Basich Jr (2020) 6’0 guard, Greens Farms Academy (CT) – A cat-like quickness, high motor as a defender and out-rebounds his height. Has a long range shot that opens the floor for his ability to slash and create. Vocal and smart floor leader. High academic.

Tyrone Holloway Jr (2021) 6’4 guard, Greens Farms Academy (CT) – The only freshman to be in the GFA varsity rotation last year, Holloway is back as a bigger, stronger and more experienced version of himself this season. Excellent off of the bounce and un-guardable off of the one-dribble mid-range stop-n-pop.

 

Jahkai Pettway (2020) 6’4 wing, Hamden Hall (CT) - A very coachable, high IQ player hailing from the highly regarded New Haven Heat AAU program. Rebounds on both ends and uses body well on drives. Excellent grades

Chris Cahill (2020) 6’1 combo guard, Hamden Hall (CT) – It’s hard to collapse the lane on the hard driving HH players, because both Benigni and Cahill stretch the floor with excellent 3pt shooting.

Ethan Doherty (2021) 5’9 guard, Hamden Hall (CT) – another HH shooter and this one has that coach’s son basketball IQ. Defense is improving with age.

 

Max Levine (2020) 6’4 wing, Pomfret School (CT) - Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden and in his second year at Pomfret, Levine has made tremendous strides.  He is an impressive athlete with the ability to run in transition and finish over defenders. According to his coach, he has put a ton of time into developing his jump shot and is showing significant progress. 

Marcus von Recklinghausen (2020) 6’4 wing, Pomfret School (CT) - MVR plays with a lot of energy.  He is all over the offensive board.  Is an excellent cutter off the ball and has a knack for getting to the rim.

Amon Williams (2021) 6’3 wing, Pomfret School (CT) - A PSA Cardinals product, Amon is extremely agile for his size.  He has a knack for getting to the rim, is an excellent rebounder, and spends a ton of time at the foul line.  If he continues to develop his jump shot, he will be a very intriguing prospect.

Isaac Santiago (2022) 6’0 point guard, Pomfret School (CT) - Santiago is another PSA Cardinals product, Isaac is a pure point guard.  He has an innate feel for the game and does a nice job of putting his teammates in a position to score.  He can really go in transition and has the makings of a gritty on-ball defender.  If Isaac continues to develop his outside shot he will draw the attention of Division I programs.

Gavin Greene (2020) 6’3 wing, St Lukes School (CT) - The Storm are famous for recruiting better athletes than their opponents and then going into full attack mode with that edge. Greene fits that profile, an athletic slasher with a good shooting touch.  Good rebounder and high-energy defender.

Kenny Soares (2021) 6’3 wing, St Lukes School (CT) - Soares is built and plays like the outstanding football player that he is. An explosive athletic slasher who plays very hard.  Excellent offensive rebounder, who finishes well through contact.  Fierce competitor.

Cole Bryant (2020) 6’4 guard, St Lukes School (CT) - Bryant has been shining at New England exposure camps for a couple of years now. With the graduation of four fifth year seniors, the St Luke’s varsity opportunity is now his to shine in. He is a long guard with improved quickness.  Good handle and can drain the threes.