802 Season Awards: Divisional POY, Freshman OY, Def. POY

It's that time of year where reflection of the last few months takes place. To boil these decisions down is always so tough, but I've decided to honor a POTY from each division in addition to a FOY and a DPOY. Let's get right to it!   802 POTY + Division 1 Player of the Year   [player_tooltip player_id='1227861' first='Harry' last='Geng'], 6'2 G - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2024   It didn't seem to matter what teams threw at Harry; he and St. J. always had an answer. Geng led the metro in scoring, logging around 24 ppg. with true 3-level scoring as the primary creator, in transition, and off the ball as someone who created space with his cutting and screening to find gaps for jumpers and paint finishes. Moreover, he's a guy who found his looks rather naturally and shared the rock, doing well to score with efficiency, keep the ball popping, and the D guessing. The lefty brought it every night on the defensive end as well, applying nice pressure and impressive hands out of St. J's various pressure zones. St. Michael's out of the NE-10 landed the 802's top dog.   Division 2 Player of the Year   [player_tooltip player_id='2406051' first='Tobey' last='Bellows'], 6'2 G - Harwood Union H.S. Class of 2024   When you're looked upon as the lead guy, and when every single team gameplans around your abilities, you've got to come ready. Tobey did so. Bellows' led HU to a 4-seed in the D2 tournament with his explosive 3-point shooting, sly facilitation + distribution, and sheer will on the glass. He put up nearly a triple-double on the season, averaging around 21 ppg., 9 rbds, and 11 asts. The lead guard's offensive arsenal features a microwave hot jumper that he can get going off the bounce or the catch and the court vision to absolutely cut up a whole defense. Mix in his off-ball work when the special coverages come and you see he's someone who can truly operate both as a 1 and as a 2. Adaptive, talented, and smart.   Division 3 Player of the Year   Xavier Hill, 6'3 G - Hazen Union H.S. Class of 2024   The smooth operator did so much for this Hazen squad. The sizable southpaw orchestrated the whole show, pulling the right strings at the right time as a multi-level scorer, distributor, and pacemaker. Hill's feel exudes PG instincts, understanding time of game, shot selection, and when to push vs when to set up. Hill dished the ball all over the floor whether it was going coast-to-coast off a rebound or in halfcourt sets. Plus, he showed himself to be a sound system player, moving well off-ball and finding his scoring in various spots; out of the post, the short-corner, and all over the perimeter. He had some monster games and likely averaged near 20ppg., double-digit boards and plenty of assists. Certainly D3's most talented guy.   Division 4 Player of the Year   [player_tooltip player_id='2453030' first='Andrew' last='Joncas'], 6'0 G - Danville School Class of 2025   I didn't see a ton of D4 hoop this year, but I do follow Joncas. Andrew posted his 1,000th point this year, doing so in transition, with his slashing ability, and shooting touch. He's a guy that can create offense with his defense, moving feet well and anticipating actions. From there, he can burst into transition and make plays. In the halfcourt, he's a solid facilitator who can create in a pinch with tough slashing and jumpers with space. Joncas runs the show at Danville with his ballhandling, defensive prowess, and offensive creation, and they'll be happy to have him for one more run.   Freshman of the Year   [player_tooltip player_id='2711459' first='Pascal' last='Munezero'], 5'8 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2027   Look, there are some players you just have to watch because words don't do them justice. But I'll try. Pascal has already established himself as an elite defender with his impressive agility and cunning. Munezero zeros in on ballhandlers, doing well to time their moves and junk them up with active hands or the footwork to beat them to their initial move and then the counter. Off-ball he's just as anticipatory, and the hustle is relentless. Offensively, Pascal has the tools to be a lead guard with his ballhandling, passing acumen, incredible finishing inside, and a growing shooting touch. Keep tabs on G.   Defensive Player of the Year   [player_tooltip player_id='2396750' first='Rex' last='Hauser'], 6'5 W - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2025   There aren't many guys who can head the press with immense length and athleticism, defend the point of attack in the halfcourt, guard literally anyone 1-5, and then block shots and clean the glass. And truth be told, I feel like there were plenty of possessions this year that featured damn near all of that work in a span of 30 seconds. Hauser's instincts are elite, and he's blessed with the frame and athleticism to impact the defensive end in every way imaginable. His sweet spot is likely 2s and 3s, but he tangoed with plenty of the best bigs around VT and held his own. The energy is unending, the talent all there on both ends, and he takes care of both the big stuff schematically and the details of the dirty work. Impressive.

It's that time of year where reflection of the last few months takes place. To boil these decisions down is always so tough, but I've decided to honor a POTY from each division in addition to a FOY and a DPOY. Let's get right to it!