Battle of the Bigs: D1 Rice vs. D1 CVU
In this article:
This was a matchup between two perennially elite programs with big-time aspirations this winter. Moreover, the bigs inside were the ones who showed out in this highly anticipated contest. Check out who delivered! Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis was a matchup between two perennially elite programs with big-time aspirations this winter. Moreover, the bigs inside were the ones who showed out in this highly anticipated contest. Check out who delivered!
Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF Rice Memorial | 2024 State NLG , 6’7 F – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024
The big fella came to play in this one. Bessette put up 16 points in a game where buckets were at a premium. He showcased his post work with strong drop steps that led into finishes at the rim and a powerful two-hand jam in traffic. Additionally, he set sturdy screens and moved into open space, which opened up his inside/out offense. Defensively, Drew shaded the interior to provide help in the post, cleaned the glass, and hit quick outlets. Bessette’s all-around abilities were key to Rice’s homecourt W.
Tucker Tharpe Tucker Tharpe 6'6" | PF Champlain Valley | 2024 State NLG , 6’6 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
Tharpe was electric all night. Tharpe secured post position with nice physicality and set the tone early. With great post footwork and inside touch, he got CVU going offensively, putting up 12 points. Moreover, he made wise kick outs set solid screens to open up air space for shooters. Defensively, Tucker made opponents work hard for post position and cleaned the glass. Additionally, he showed good footwork to get through screens and had a couple showstopping coast-to-coast takes for powerful two-hand flushes. All in all, Tharpe was outstanding.
Logan Vaughan, 6’5 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
The methodical forward was steady all night and it’s easy to appreciate Logan’s court awareness on both sides of the ball. Vaughan flashed intuitively into space and provided targets for passers against Rice’s zone defenses. With the ball in his hands, Vaughan made strong post moves to finish at the rim and hit crisp passes to cutters and spot up shooters. Defensively, Logan showed nice mobility. He moved his feet on the perimeter and stuck to Rice’s dynamic forwards and wings. Lastly, he owned the glass with stout rebounding. Vaughan has great on-court presence and IQ.
Mo Kanneh, 6’7 F – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2023
Mo might not jump off the stat-sheet, but he made a number of clutch plays down the stretch. In the second half, Kanneh turned his game up a notch. He had fantastic communication on the defensive end to inform teammates of incoming screens and the subsequent coverage to employ. Moreover, he had big-time blocks in the interior and dove on the floor to secure a loose ball in the waning seconds of a close game. Mo’s communication, selflessness, and work ethic were pivotal as Rice closed out the game.
Kyle Eaton Kyle Eaton 5'9" | PG Champlain Valley Union | 2024 NLG , 5’8 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
In such a tough defensive matchup, Eaton provided a number of scoring sparks to lift CVU. Kyle showed savvy off-ball movement as he read various screen coverages to create space for his quick trigger jumper. Eaton knocked down four threes on the night, all due to his heady reads. In addition, Eaton showed good ball security with the rock in his hands, moving the ball well when the defensive pressure came. With his impressive speed and agility, Kyle got into guards defensively and moved around screens adeptly. Eaton is a two-way gamer.
Alex Provost, 5’11 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2023
The floor general for CVU kept everyone on the same page and made big plays when called upon. Provost handled the Rice ball pressure with apparent ease as he kept his dribble alive to get into sets and showed nice vision as he passed through pressure with ball fakes. Using ball screens, he was able to get to the rim and finish a couple crucial buckets through traffic. On the defensive end, Alex showed nice awareness both on and off the ball. He corralled ballhandlers into traffic and slid well into help position. Provost’s leadership is evident.
Abdi Sharif, 6’4 G/W – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2025
Abdi’s defensive smarts combined with his agility and long frame make him an exceptional defender, and he made life tough for CVU’s guards all evening. Sharif shaded CVU’s shooters with savvy off-ball denial, using his long wingspan to get into passing lanes and contest shots. Moreover, he read sets and incoming screens wisely. He used his agile footwork and speed to keep connected to his mark. Additionally, he ran lanes well on the break and made smart plays to keep the ball moving as he cut into space, garnering position for boards and dump passes. He’s got great feel.