Top 10 W/F Halfway Through: 1-5
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Here you go! VT’s best W/F so far. Let’s dive in! Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF Rice Memorial | 2024 State New E , 6’8 W/F – Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2024 A few things I really…
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Continue ReadingHere you go! VT’s best W/F so far. Let’s dive in!
Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF Rice Memorial | 2024 State New E , 6’8 W/F – Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2024
A few things I really appreciate about Drew’s game is his efficiency, his team-oriented approach, and of course his thorough skillset. Bessette has the ability to have the offense run through him, but Rice has extensive firepower and Drew clearly sees the merit in playing team ball. He gets his 15-20 ppg. in the flow of the offense, knocking down catch-and-shoot jumpers with ease, out of the post, or with smart cuts for two-hand jams. Of course, he makes excellent reads with the rock in his hands too and can create a little something or dish it up for teammates. And we haven’t even gotten to his rim protection, inside/out defense, and rebounding. So well-rounded with an unselfish approach.
Tucker Tharpe Tucker Tharpe 6'6" | PF Champlain Valley | 2024 State New E , 6’7 F – Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2024
A double-double threat night in and night out, Tucker and CVU continue their work to defend the D1 crown. Tharpe’s interior work is key for this guard and wing heavy squad, using his strength, awareness, and post arsenal to finish at the rim or facilitate out of the post. He’s someone CVU relies on to bolster the O, and he’s been contributing plenty of 15 to 20-point nights as of late. Add in his interior defense, rim presence, and rebounding and you get a guy who can really control the paint all game. Reliable to say the least.
Rex Hauser Rex Hauser 6'5" | SF St. Johnsbury Academy | 2025 State New E , 6’5 W – St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2025
A versatile two-way guy who can be the best player on the floor any given night or plug in as a key 2nd or 3rd option, Rex just plays to win. Hauser’s athleticism, length, and dynamic defensive prowess allows him to cover 1-5 essentially, often taking on opponent’s best wings and forwards with scrappy on-ball work, good rim protection, and a good deal of disruption off the ball. He’s a fun open court player, able to go coast-to-coast in a flash. And his halfcourt offense is founded on savvy off-ball movement, nice vision, and drives and jumpers off the catch. Hauser can go for 20-10 or 10-5-5-5; his impact is far and wide.
Grant Cieplicki Grant Cieplicki 6'5" | SF Rice Memorial | 2025 State New E , 6’5 W/F – Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2025
On most any team in the state Grant is a primary offensive weapon, yet he fits in so well with this explosive Rice team as a gluey presence and defensive swiss-army knife. Cieplicki’s court awareness is excellent, making nice reads as a cutter and screener or with the rock in his hands. Grant can hit the trey off the catch, operate from the elbows or blocks, or run the pnr and make plays in the short roll. On the other end, he’s a rock defensively. Grant knows how to stop his matchup, clean the glass, and cover any holes as a help defender and rotator. Smart, versatile, and an x-factor of sorts for RMHS.
Dez Krakowka, 6’5 W/F – Rutland H.S. Class of 2025
The addition of Dez to Rutland has clearly been pivotal to their team success. Krakowka’s a unique talent; he’s an intuitive post player that’ll play bully ball on the block, yet he’ll also facilitate from the perimeter, picking apart defenses with his passing and shooting touch. Defensively, Dez covers 3-5 with his strong build and physicality, plus, he harbors nice athleticism which helps him stick with perimeter players. A point-forward of sorts who can rebound the rock, run the break, and orchestrate the offense, Dez is bringing the juice required for RHS to make a push.