Preseason Primer: Sophomore Scope

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dive in and get a sense of which sophomores will stand out come wintertime. Let's get to it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2568400' first='Freddie' last='Bacon'], 5'11 G - Colchester H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most polished PG in his class, Bacon is a savvy initiator of the offense. He's adept at organizing, and his distribution puts teammates in spots where they flourish. Moreover, he can create when called upon; he gets into the paint consistently and makes good decisions in the second layer both as a scorer and as a passer. Defensively sound with strong on-ball defense and sly off-ball disruption, Bacon is a strong two-way guy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2283308' first='Jack' last='Lafayette'], 5'10 G - South Burlington H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball "purists" will love this kid. Jack's one who consistently makes the basketball play time and time again. Lafayette is fantastic off the ball with his cuts and screens, making him an efficient scorer, inside and out, who needs little to no time on the ball. Yet, he can create too. Jack's a strong slasher, can hit the pull-up, and distribute the rock. Then defensively, he gets into ballhandlers, rotates cleanly, and is pesky as anyone. Jack is plug and play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kole Fotion, 5'11 G - Hartford H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The combo-guard is an offensive threat due to his athleticism and slashing. Fotion gets to the lane with his quick first step or in the pnr, and in the paint he makes tough finishes and solid kick outs. Plus, he's a strong shooter with rhythm off the catch. On the other end of the floor, Kole uses that athleticism to bother ballhandlers, prevent paint touches, and shoot the gaps. Then in the open court, it's a wrap. Dynamic and explosive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2553768' first='Tej' last='Stewart'], 6'3 W - Twinfield H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tej brings the versatility of the modern game. With his multi-positional talent, Stewart might be squaring up with bigs defensively, protecting the rim and cleaning the glass, the heading the other way for a coast-to-coast finish. Incidentally, he might even be a better perimeter defender than an interior one with his sound footwork and anticipation. On the offensive end, Tej is savvy scorer off the ball with his relocation for jumpers or off his cutting action, yet he's a capable creator too. The Twinfield point-forward does a bit of everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2553739' first='Ben' last='Koh'], 5'10 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fantastic creator with the ball in his hands, Koh is one who can make an offense teem with buckets. With his multi-level scoring package, Ben forces defenses into lots of help and rotations. Even so, he can wiggle to find space with his savvy footwork and tough handle, or he'll find the open teammate with crisp passing. On the other end, Ben contains his matchups with his strong frame and adept footwork. He's one who I have down for a breakout year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2553748' first='Cooper' last='McCurley'], 5'10 G - Essex H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highly competent running the helm, Cooper's a high-IQ orchestrator. McCurley's smart distribution makes those around him better, plus, he can score it in a pinch, particularly within the short-range with little jumpers and finishes inside. In addition, he can make plays in the open court, which often come from his own disruption defensively. A lively player who does the little things required to win, Cooper plays the right way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Barker, 6'3 G/W - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barker is someone I have down to make a splash this winter. Andrew's a good shooter off the catch, finding little holes in the defense to exploit with cuts and screens. Plus, he's a quick decision maker, ensuring the ball keeps moving if he's not shooting it. Moreover, he scraps all game. Andrew cleans the glass well, can affect and block shots around the rim, and get a hand in passing lanes on the perimeter. Unselfish, skilled, and active, Barker is impactful in so many ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Whalen, 6'2 G/W - Rutland H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A premier sharpshooter, Whalen can change a game in a hurry. Ethan's range extends a few feet behind the arc, and he's particularly efficient off the catch. Utilizing screens wisely, off of simple relocation, and in transition, Ethan can find his spots and knock it down. Plus, his ability to shoot off the bounce is developing too. Defensively, his lengthy frame allows him to challenge shots. Solid player with a strong foundation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->