MIAA D4 Final Four – Players to Watch
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Today, we’ll take a look at Division IV of the MIAA as they prepare for their Final Four this week. Three of the top four seeds advanced to the Final Four in Wareham, Bourne, and Millbury; the fourth team, Burke,…
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Continue ReadingToday, we’ll take a look at Division IV of the MIAA as they prepare for their Final Four this week.
Three of the top four seeds advanced to the Final Four in Wareham, Bourne, and Millbury; the fourth team, Burke, is the 6th seed.
Below are four prospects to keep an eye on in this week’s Final Four:
Jasaad Fenton Jasaad Fenton 6'0" | PG J.E. Burke | 2025 State New E
Jasaad Fenton Jasaad Fenton 6'0" | PG J.E. Burke | 2025 State New E
Fenton and Burke are in a familiar spot after having made it to last year’s Final Four, where they came up short of their ultimate goal. Fenton is one of the state’s top lead guards and is in complete control with the ball in his hands. He’s a crafty scorer, terrrific passer, and disruptive on-ball defender. He’s at his best in the open floor creating for himself and others and is really good when playing in chaos. This Burke group is not only a year older, but is battle tested after matchups with Charlestown (x3), Millbury, and Eagle Academy of New York. Behind Fenton, as well as Jaeden Roberts Jaeden Roberts 6’2″ | PG J.E. Burke | 2025 State New E and Jaeshawn Rogers Jaeshawn Rogers 6’3″ | SF Burke | 2024 State New E , this is a Burke team that no one will be excited to face this week.
Lopes, and Wareham, are the defending Division IV state champions and as such, have had a target on their back all season. A high scoring guard, Lopes is one of the top players in all of Division IV. He’s a gifted scorer at all three levels, particularly as a shooter from behind the arc. One of his best attributes is his skill as a passer; he has great vision, can pass with either hand, and does a good job of finding teammates in scoring positions. Defensively, he’s an active defender that generates lots of steals and deflections. Wareham, behind Lopes and backcourt mate Diego Mello, is averaging over 90.0 ppg in the state tournament and is just two wins away from repeating as champions.
Tyler Vaccaro
Tyler Vaccaro
Vaccaro and Millbury are back in the same spot they were last year as they face a semi-final rematch with Wareham. Millbury, coming off a thrilling 1-point victory in the quarterfinals, will need big games from Vaccaro and fellow senior Kenny Donnelly, if they want to pull off the upset in their showdown with Wareham. Vaccaro is an elite catch-and-shoot threat from behind the arc and his floor spacing abilities are key to opening up the rest of Millbury’s offense. He’s a capable ball-handler, willing passer, and good decision maker. Defensively, he has a high IQ and does a good job of creating turnovers. Millbury played a strong schedule this year and was always considered to be one of the favorites in D4, one more win and they’ll be playing for the state championship.
Mike Dankert
Mike Dankert
Dankert and Bourne will look to cap off a terrific season with two more wins and a state championship this week. One of the most versatile prospects in the entire division, Dankert is capable of guarding on the perimeter and in the post and initiating offense off of defensive rebounds. He’s a strong rim finisher, capable of finishing through contact. He’s a willing ball mover, makes good decisions out of double teams, and can score at all three levels. He can really shoot the basketball from behind the arc and is particularly tough in the mid-range. Bourne, now 22-1, will need to take care of the basketball against Burke if it wants to move on and Dankert’s efforts as a secondary ball-handler will be key to that.