Stars of the Game Hingham vs. Whitman-Hanson 2/3/23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> There was no shortage of excitement in the Hingham High School this past Friday night. Two powerhouse programs, the Hingham Harbormen and the Whitman-Hanson Panthers, were battling in a hard fought Patriot League match up. Hingham had experience on their side with class of 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1772985' first='Liam' last='McBride'] and 2024 guard Chase Mello leading the way against the Panthers youth movement consisting of 2025 small forward Ryan Baker and 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2341369' first='Isaiah' last='Bean-Brittian'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":1786739,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4587-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4587-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1786739" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Senior Captain [player_tooltip player_id='1772985' first='Liam' last='McBride'] brings the ball up during the second half of their game against Whitman-Hanson</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1772985' first='Liam' last='McBride']- Combo Guard- Hingham High School- Hingham, MA Class of 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Despite the fact that [player_tooltip player_id='1772985' first='Liam' last='McBride'] is the focus of every defense he faces he tends to come out on top. Against Whitman-Hanson he put together, as usual, a great game. Being face guarded for a majority of the game and denied the ball at every opportunity Liam still managed to lead all scorers with 25 points. Although an impressive point total when you add in the fact that he shot 9-11 from the line, dished out 5 assists and had 12 rebounds you see what an absolute all around player he has become. Most players would crumble or get frustrated seeing that kind of pressure, not Liam. Even though he had a slow start he crashed the boards and got teammates involved early and then iced the game late. Like I have been saying, this is a must see player that will be a talent at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":1786753,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4578-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4578-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1786753" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Chase Mello- Guard- Hingham High School- Hingham, MA Class of 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Chase put on another tough and gritty performance against the Panthers. Playing suffocating on the ball defense all night with little break he still put the ball in the hoop. Chase finished with 18 pts going an astounding 7-7 from the free throw line. Chase continues to use his quick first step to get by defenders and finish in the lane. Sometimes it is a textbook 10 foot pull up jumper in the lane while other times it's taking it all the way to the hoop for 3 the old fashioned way. Even while being fouled, Chase is able to maintain composure and control of the ball and finish through the contact and then add the extra point from the line. Chase brings and energy and an edge that is helping his team peak at the right time of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":1786800,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4570-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4570-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1786800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ryan Baker brings the ball up at Hingham on 2/3/23 during the first half of their game against the Harbormen</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Ryan Baker- Combo Guard- Whitman-Hanson High- Class of 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Ryan is a young guard with excellent size at 6'2". He pairs this size with a confident and secure handle of the basketball which is probably why Coach Bob Rodgers trusts this young man to bring the ball up and run his offense despite the fact that he is just a sophomore. It doesn't matter whether he is going left or right, his first step is a flash of brilliance that gets him past any defender in his way. Because of his size he has the ability to take the ball off the defensive glass and then he is flying up the court looking to create a break for his team. Now when you add the fact that he has silky smooth form on his jump shot that extends to extreme three point range, you have a player that is already exciting to watch. The scary part about Ryan is that he is only a sophomore. With two more years in high school, one can only imagine how good this player will be in his senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":1786806,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4572-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/IMG_4572-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1786806" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='2341369' first='Isaiah' last='Bean-Brittian'] sets up in the high post against his defender</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2341369' first='Isaiah' last='Bean-Brittian']- Forward-</strong> Whitman-Hanson High- Class of 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> When you watch Isaiah play you have to remind yourself that this young man is just a freshman. It's hard to believe when you see his 6'5" athletic frame and body control. He is unbelievably athletic gifted with speed and excellent leaping ability. This ability makes him an absolute force on the glass. He is extremely talented on the offensive boards consistently keeping plays alive and picking up extra scoring opportunities on put backs. As one could also expect with Isaiah's vertical leap he is a superb rim protector blocking shots with ease and clogging up the middle forcing teams to shoot from the perimeter. He moves like a wing player, which is where I suspect he will play at the next level. He has an uncanny ability to move with out the basketball finding open seams in the defense. He creates match up problems with his ability to step out on the perimeter, handle the ball and make shots. I am really excited to watch him progress and improve over the next few years. I think the Panthers have something special in [player_tooltip player_id='2341369' first='Isaiah' last='Bean-Brittian'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->