Names to Know from the Cape Ann League: Baker Division (Part 3)
The final installment of names to know from the Cape Ann League (CAL), Baker Division in Northeastern Massachusetts. Matt Welch | 6’2” | Combo-guard | Amesbury | 2022 A versatile guard with a fluid off the dribble game, Welch can…
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Continue ReadingThe final installment of names to know from the Cape Ann League (CAL), Baker Division in Northeastern Massachusetts.
Matt Welch | 6’2” | Combo-guard | Amesbury | 2022
A versatile guard with a fluid off the dribble game, Welch can create for himself in the midrange as a secondary scoring outlet and serve as a capable spot-up shooter. Averaging close to 10 points per game, Welch was also a walking double-double threat despite playing at the guard spot. A two-way combo-guard, with a nice floater game and the quick first step, Welch is another pace pusher. He has great speed in the open floor and doesn’t shy away from contact. Named as an honorable mention for the CAL-All Stars, Welch also showed the ability to space the floor from deep with fluid mechanics on his shot. He doesn’t give up on plays, dives on the floor, and made some impressive come from behind swats trailing the ball handler. A sound decision-maker, Welch showed patience on his rim attacks but aggressive and physical enough to make an impact. Welch also made several high-level reads and one-handed passes.
Kyle Beal | 6’0” | Combo-Guard (Off-ball) | Rockport | 2021
Leading the way for the Vikings in the scoring column, having averaged 16 points per game, Beal is a lefty movement shooter, capable of getting off his shot in very tight spaces. Not only can Beal shoot well off the catch, but he can create his own shot off the dribble, and does a great job of measuring space prior to an attempt. I really like the way he comes off screens, getting enough space before hand to catch and shoot with ease. Unafraid to shoot it from the logo-range, Beal is an aggressive shot hunter as he’s also shown the ability to handle the ball above the break and make decisions with the ball in his hands. On defense, Beal doesn’t give up on plays. He showed great anticipation and came away with a number of interceptions on the season.
A.J. Pallazola | 5’8” | Lead Guard | Manchester-Essex | 2022
With an explosive quick first step, and ability to make quick decisions off the dribble, Pallazola orchestrated the Hornets offense, from scoring to distributing. Leading the way at the helm, Pallazola showed the ability to make quick decisions off the catch, has a killer crossover, and fearless on his attacks to the rim. Strategic with his footwork, A.J. finished the season averaging around 12 points for Manchester-Essex as he was also named All-CAL. Another football player, Pallazola’s shifty footwork and ability to stop on a dime made him one of the toughest point of attack assignments within the CAL. A high effort defender, I expect Pallazola to take even another step up for his senior season next year.
Justin (JT) Murphy | 6’0” | Lead-Guard | Georgetown | 2021
With a fluid shot off the dribble Murphy can get it off in a timely manner. Capable of creating his own shot off the dribble. Murphy has a knack for utilizing great footwork with his rim attacks and also understands when to push the pace in transition. A four year varsity player, he has improved his scoring average each season, Murphy can also play off the ball but makes sound decisions with his pull-up game. Having averaged 14.6 points this season, JT has been lauded as one of the most coachable players within the Georgetown basketball program. With a quick first step on offense, Murphy has solid anticipatory skills, skills which translate to both sides of the floor. Coming into his own as a floor spacer, Murphy connected on six-3 pointers during an early win against Manchester-Essex. A more than capable 20-point scorer, Murphy has a great feel for the game.
Kyle Donovan | 6’4” | Forward | Amesbury | 2021
While committed to play football at Stonehill College, Donovan brings a similar level of intensity with basketball. A captain and high energy big, Donovan is all go all the time. With a strong first step down low, Donovan does a great job of carving out space with both power and finesse moves. A skilled finisher down low, Donovan has great hands and a wide catch radius. Usually carving out space with a drop step, he has great court awareness, especially off spin moves, utilizing effective and efficient footwork, routinely beating his matchup off the dribble. After finishing the season averaging around 9 points per game, With a knack for tracking down rebounds, Donovan also brought a much needed consistency on the defensive side of the floor, always getting back to protect the rim.
Charlie Henderson | 5’10” | Lead Ball Handler, Pass First PG | Ipswich | 2022
An energizer point guard, unselfish in every aspect of the game, Henderson may be one of the most overlooked guards on the North Shore. A feisty two-way player by nature, he plays extremely well within a system and was instrumental for Ipswich in the pace pushing department. Sometimes it’s about the pass more than the shot, as Henderson was instrumental in setting up sharp shooter Ray Cuevas with open looks off pin-point passes. The ball doesn’t stick in his hands as he is a great floor general, deserving of an All-CAL or CAL All-Star selection. With a great understanding of spacing, Henderson can also knock down a perimeter shot when called upon, as he showed a very fluid stroke off the catch. On defense is where Henderson really excels, as he’s a dogged defender, willing to hound his opponent at the point of attack.