802 All-State Second Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming at you with another dose of All-State squads! This 2nd team is loaded with perimeter play, IQ, and bucket getters. So much game in this one. Take notes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2396778' first='Grant' last='Cieplicki'], 6'5 W - Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A do-it-all swingman with immense IQ, Grant is a guy that bought into his role on the state's most loaded team. Cieplicki did all the little things like tracking loose balls, plugging holes defensively, grinding for boards, and greasing the offense with his passing and off-ball movement. Offensively sound, Grant used savvy and efficient moves to get his buckets whether off post-ups, spot-ups, or attacking closeouts. He'd be a star player on 99% of VT teams but he bought in, and in doing so brought back the crown to Rice. Champ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325846' first='Abdi' last='Sharif'], 6'4 G - Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a guy who can disrupt an entire offense. Sharif's defensive prowess is top tier, using his considerable length, athleticism, and anticipation to smother opponent's best perimeter players. He'll deny fullcourt, strip ballhandlers with active hands, and get in passing lanes often. Moreover, and quite interestingly, Abdi's rebounding consistently approached double figures. His offensive game is chock full of tough slashing and crafty footwork, finding a ton of buckets within 15-feet. An orchestrator too, the combo-guard brings a varied skillset to the table. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387335' first='Tyler' last='Bergmans'], 6'2 G - South Burlington H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd be interested to know how many double-doubles Tyler posted this year. A physical PG who quite literally played the 1 on O then the 5 on D, Bergmans brought rim pressure, rebounds, and orchestration every night. He scored about 18 ppg. with incredible efficiency off his driving and post package, navigating the second layer with savvy footwork on his snaking drives. Tyler's facilitation is steady and measured, as is his physical defense. TB guards up really well, able to body bigger guys, clear space on box outs, and track down the rock. A unique guard who's efficient and dynamic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1850193' first='Kyle' last='Eaton'], 5'9 G - Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sprightly and agile Eaton had everything thrown at him this year. Defenses knew if they slowed down Kyle, they could slow down the whole CVU machine, and even so Eaton still got off. He has some of the best foot speed around, using it well to change pace + direction to create space for his distribution or his jumper. His shot is loaded and out in less than a second and when you combine that with his nonstop, aware off-ball movement when not facilitating, you have a guy that hurts you on ball and off en route to about a 14 ppg. average. With his agility and smarts, he's a pesky defender that can junk ballhandlers up too. Kyle's a gamer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2568400' first='Freddie' last='Bacon'], 6'1 G - Colchester H.S. Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a breakout season for Freddie; the PG has the keys at CHS and for good reason. Bacon's playmaking was the backbone of CHS' attack, reading defenses well to get CHS into their stuff or create off the bounce. He's a crafty slasher with an array of scoring methods in the 2nd layer, using short jumpers, floaters, and good senses around the rim. A sound shooter from deep too, you can't simply pack it in against him. Once he's bent the defense or collapsed it, Bacon's liable to feed teammates with timely, on target passes. He's a good defender with measured pressure and the footwork to stay in front of most guys. A clinician at the 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->