Deeper Dig: Seven Under the Radar 2024s – VT Edition
I’ve got seven guys right here who know how to impact winning. Drop in on the Deeper Dig and get to know some x-factors out of VT. Let’s get to it! Will Hughes, 6’0 G – BFA St. Albans H.S.…
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Continue ReadingI’ve got seven guys right here who know how to impact winning. Drop in on the Deeper Dig and get to know some x-factors out of VT. Let’s get to it!
Will Hughes, 6’0 G – BFA St. Albans H.S. Class of 2024
The scrapper out of BFA brings a tenacity to the floor each and every game. Hughes’ defensive fortitude is grounded in agile footwork and sheer will, working ballhandlers hard with his pressure and hustling to snatch 50/50s, long rebounds, and disrupt the passing lanes. His offensive game is characterized by sound facilitation, tough slashing and playmaking out of the 2nd layer. His rim scoring + short-range shot-making is there, and the 3-ball is coming along. A rugged two-way presence who’ll expend his energy for the team.
Ngang Ateny, 6’5 W – Burlington H.S. Class of 2024
Blessed with size, athleticism, and length, Ngang’s build is ideal for the wing. It provides him the versatility to guard 2-4, pressure in the fullcourt or halfcourt setting, switch onto most anything, rebound, and bother shots + passes without getting out of position. Furthermore, Ateny has a good off-the-catch bag as a sound offensive threat. His shooting off catches is consistent all around the arc, he can handle and attack closeouts well, and is a solid decision maker within the 2nd layer. Ngang impacts the game in a lot of ways yet doesn’t need the rock to do so.
Will Ameden, 6’4 W/F – Burr and Burton Academy Class of 2024
Ameden comes with this dynamic offensive skillset that’s a joy to watch. Will is a facilitator but he does it from the elbows, the short corners, the block, and will dabble on the perimeter too when it makes sense. But his court vision and reads manifest into savvy dimes or kicks that put the defense in rotation. He shoots it well too, able to knock down shots inside or out. Defensively he’s a 3/4 forward with good footwork, wit, and enough athleticism to hang with quicker 3s and enough bulk to muscle bigger 4s. Solid southern VT guy.
Joe Buxton, 6’5 W/F – Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2024
I wouldn’t say Joe is exceptional in any particular facet of the game, but that he’s quite good in most every aspect. Buxton will provide a bit of everything with his versatile inside/out defensive ability, anticipatory rebounding, and court vision + handle to push the break or make plays in the halfcourt. The court awareness is all there, and he’s a shooting threat off the catch due to his sly movement and spot up feel. Joe takes care of details and makes everything just a tad easier with his connective, swiss-army knife touch.
Christian Hathorn, 5’11 G – Hartford Union H.S. Class of 2024
There are some guys who have a keen sense of how the defense is moving, Hathorn is one. In the D2 Championship, I saw Christian drive by his guy multiple times off the catch, going shot-fake and rip through. The low man stepped up and wings rotated, yet somehow Christian knew the angle in which to sneak a pass to the dunker spot for numerous clean lays. He can finish inside too, but he’s a true shooting threat from 3. Defensively heady, Hathorn has the IQ to sneak up on ballhandlers or bigs, slide into passing lanes, and disrupt. Savvy guard.
Caelen Zeilenga, 6’0 G – U-32 H.S. Class of 2024
The strong, shooting 2-guard from central VT can heat up. Zeilenga’s a guy with tough two-level scoring, using physical slashes off the catch to get inside and muscle rim finishes or kick to shooters/cutters. Yet if his defender’s a step slow or the hand is down, Caelen will fire from 3 and get it going from outside. He takes care of the ball, makes sound reads, and knows how to operate off the rock to find his gaps. Defensively, he’s smart with measured on-ball pressure, knowing he can get to the spot and hold his own on drivers. A sound perimeter player.
Colby Morehouse, 6’3 W – Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2024
Shooter! The combination of Colby’s height, length, and smooth jumper come together to form an intuitive floor spacer. Morehouse knows where to find defensive gaps, comes off of screens well, and has the quick release to get it off. When the defense recovers he’s a smart passer who keeps the ball popping, and he can sneak around on the weak side or go backdoor for rim finishes. A solid defender with that athletic frame, Colby proved to be a key piece for the D1 semifinalists.