RIIL D2 – Postseason Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As was the case in Division I, we've now reached the semifinals of the RIIL boys basketball tournament in Division II. The higher seeds all won their quarterfinal games, setting up the following match-ups in the semifinals: #1 Lincoln vs. #4 Johnston / #2 St. Raphael Academy vs. #3 Tolman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll highlight one prospect from each remaining team that could be instrumental to their success this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2313158"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"McNamara, who teams with Camden DiChiara to form the most dynamic duo in the state, has been arguably the best player (regardless of division) in the state of Rhode Island this winter. A physically imposing scoring-guard, McNamara is a dynamic lefty that can score at all three levels. He's tough to stop as a driver, as he's able to get downhill and finish through contact at the rim with either hand. Defensively, he utilizes his athleticism and strength to guard multiple positions and is a terrific rebounder for his size. Lincoln, the only team to go undefeated in Rhode Island this winter, is a heavy favorite to win the Division II championship. If it can do so, McNamara will be a big reason why.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"NeAri Vasquez","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Johnston","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Vasquez, who starred on the gridiron this fall, was fantastic in Johnston's quarterfinal win over Rogers. A physically strong guard, Vasquez is a versatile defender who impacts the game with his tenacity and toughness. He's a good positional rebounder and is a tough cover in transition when finishing at the rim. Offensively, he's a gifted shooter with deep ranger on his jumper and has to be guarded as soon as he crosses half-court. Johnston looks to spring an upset in the semifinals and if they are going to do so, Vasquez will need to have a huge game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1578541' first='John' last='Hilaire']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Tolman","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Hilaire, one of the state's most dynamic ball-handlers, is a catalyst on both ends of the floor for his Tolman squad. A capable perimeter shooter, Hilaire thrives at getting into the paint where he can score over bigger defenders or find teammates for easy kickouts. He's a blur in transition, changes speeds well, and does a good job of keeping his dribble alive when needed. Defensively, he's a pest on the ball and has good insticts for when to stunt or double the post. Tolman is one of the state's top scoring teams and will need everything they can get out of Hilaire if they want to get by St. Raphael and have a chance to play for a state championship.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2470898' first='Zerek' last='Johnson']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"St. Raphael Academy","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Johnson, a physically mature freshman guard, is one of the top scoring threats on a St. Raphael squad that is capable of winning games in multiple ways. A versatile threat on the offensive end, Johnson rarely gets sped up and is a capable scorer from all three levels. He's particularly effective in transition where he makes good decisions with the basketball and is able to score at the rim through contact. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and has shown a willingness to mix it up in the paint as a rebounder. St. Raphael, which also features one of Division II's top wings in [player_tooltip player_id='1578534' first='Jay-Den' last='Matos'], will play in what may be the best semifinal game in the state against Tolman and will rely on Johnson for significant production if it is to win.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0f5d36da8a"} /-->