HoopHall Crowns champions
April 20, 2009 NE Hoop News Staff
The inaugural HoopHall Invitational showcased many of New England's top teams in all age divisions. The event drew 66 teams to Wesleyan University's impressive Freeman Athletic Center and also hosted over 25 college coaches including many of the Northeast-10 schools. We will feature one age-division per day this week, starting with the 17u.
Despite the New England Playaz losing arguably two of their top three players, in Austin Carroll and Nadir Tharpe, to injuries, the remaining cast held on to capture their 2nd spring championship in three tries beating the Connecticut Basketball Club 17u team. Their only loss thus far falls at the hands of DC Assault, whom they beat the weekend before the loss in the "Spring Fling". Throughout this weekends tournament, the Playaz used a team effort getting production from a variety of guys to upend CBC - Smith, Hooperstown Huskies (NY) and MBR - 17u Gold quarter-finals - before falling victim to injuries. After the quarter-finals, they dropped down to 6 healthy players and squared off with back-to-back Connecticut Basketball Club teams in the semi-finals and finals. Nate Lubick proved to many observers why he is considering the best rising senior in New England this year. He scored on the block, stepped out to hit the three, and finished in transition. More than the points he scored, he used his overall court savvy to find open teammates, alter shots, and control the glass. Lubick's feel for the game is what separates himself from so many other players, and makes him so special.
Other key contributions came from Anthony Ireland, who did a fantastic job of running the team and distributing the ball, and Denzel Britto, who showed a soild mid range game, superb athleticism and a competitiveness to win.
CBC - Holley was led this weekend by Dominque Langston, Jefferson Lora, and Chris Evans. The trio showed a toughness often lacked in AAU basketball. Every time they stepped on the court, they played harder than their opposition. Langston displayed his smooth stroke connecting on numerous three's throughout the weekend and Evans finished very well in transition and at the rim. This CBC team, although taking a tough loss to the Playaz, will definitely contend for top team honors in New England this year. The CBC staff has done a very good job of putting together an extremely competitive group.
Other top performers in the 17u included:
Keegan Hyland, MBR - Hyland single-handedly almost knocked the Playaz out of the quarterfinals connecting on seven 3-point field-goals and finishing with 30 points. Hyland showed versatility in being able to catch and shoot quickly with superb accuracy and also being able to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.
Dominic Borelli, MBR - Borelli was solid all weekend, stepping out to hit the three, playing at hard/tough level, and battling inside with solid interior play. Borelli will make a low DI or DII program very happy.
Amir Tarif, Life for Champions (NY) - Tarif, a bit undersized for a 4/5, showed solid post moves and hands inside. In addition, he did an excellent job controlling the glass. Tarif plays at Proctor Academy.
Laurent Rivard, Expresions (Ma.) - Rivard is a big, strong guard, standing 6'5 and 210. He showed off his three-point shooting this weekend and also his overall feel for the game. Rivard will need to work on putting the ball on the floor and scoring with a one-dribble pull up but will have his share of suitors at the mid-major level.
Ellis Cooper, SECC (Ma.) - Cooper, although only 6'3, plays much bigger than his size. He does an excellent job inside and finishes shots he shouldn't. Cooper will need to work on his 16-17 foot shoot to improve his college potential, but he can be a good contributor at a DIII school.
Shabazz Napier, Metro Boston - Napier proved to many why he could be one of the best scorers in New England. He does an excellent job of scoring off the dribble, with a variety of moves. He seems to always be under control and find a way to get his shot off. The big question with Napier is what position he plays at the next level. Size indicates point guard, but he is much better suited putting the ball in the basket.
Phil Spottswood, BasketBull - Spottswood, who will be attending Wilbraham and Monson Academy in the fall, hails from Key West, Florida. By the end of the weekend, he had many coaches asking who he was. Spottswood plays quick, and can handle the ball extremely well at that speed. He'll need to improve his shot, but with his academics records thus far and another year, he could see his recruitment at an Ivy level school.
Check back tomorrow for write-ups and top performers for the following divisions:
16u - Long Island Lightning - Dingle over CT Gold
15u - Expressions Elite over Orange County Elite (NY)
14u - SECC All-Stars (Ma.) over Indoor Action (Ma.)
Post to Facebook
Tweet this
Bookmark & ShareIf you have any comments to add to this article, please email us at comments@nehoopnews.com.
Comments