2023 Hoophall Classic – Local Standouts (Part 1)
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The 2023 Hoophall Classic is one of the best events in the country, bringing in national talent that features some of the highest ranked players in the entire country. But while the spotlight is usually on the big names and…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 Hoophall Classic is one of the best events in the country, bringing in national talent that features some of the highest ranked players in the entire country. But while the spotlight is usually on the big names and national teams, there are many local teams who really come to play. With New England well represented, there were a lot of really great players who made a name for themselves from the Northeast. Here’s the first group of guys who really got it done:
Landry is a well-sized shooter who can get his shot off really efficiently. In the game against a tough Northwest Catholic team, Landry led the team in scoring for most of the contest, finishing with 18 points on 6-9 perimeter shooting. Landry is 6-5 and very mobile on the perimeter and can get his shot off quickly and from anywhere. Landry is a football standout at Newton North, so collegiate basketball probably isn’t in the cards for him, but his stroke was pure and he deserves some love for doing it on the highest stage.
Gianni Mirabello
Gianni Mirabello
Mirabello’s frame at 5-7 is meek, but he was still able to be very effective against a great Newton North team. He had 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while leading his team’s offense and setting up opportunities for his team to score. He’s a vocal leader who contributes much more than his stats suggest, which is incredible considering his stats are usually very solid. Mirabello has a burner from distance and can get hot quickly, giving instant offense to his team and subsequently causing defenses to jump at shot fakes, which he uses to make passes to his bigs ( London Jemison London Jemison 6’8″ | SF St. Thomas More | 2025 State NLG , Badara Diakite Badara Diakite 6’10” | C South Kent School | 2025 State #91 Nation NLG ). Mirabello is a fearless defender with active hands and the ability to sprint quickly to the ball on defense. He has a great motor and is unrelenting on defense. Mirabello’s size really drags him down, but he’s an effective high school player who would really contribute to a D3 university right away.
Davis was one of the highlights of the weekend. He’s a high motor, mobile rebounder with the ability to float around the basket and grab anything in the air. Defensively, he excels as a shot blocker despite not seeming like an athletic big. He has great defensive and rebounding anticipation which makes him very effective against more athletic bigs. Davis can extend his range to spread the floor, but is more effective on the low block because of his size. He is unfortunately in need of serious conditioning, as he can easily get caught lacking on the defensive end by faster guards and can get outrun down the floor by almost anyone on the floor. Nevertheless, Davis is an exciting, high-energy post who does the gritty stuff in the low post effectively. Davis would be a great fit for a higher D2 or low D1 who needs a strong interior presence.