New England’s Under-the-Radar Scorers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the high school season just around the corner, we wanted to take some time to acknowledge some of the top performers in New England's public school associations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll take a look at some of the top scorers that are flying under-the-radar in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2547136"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671bf21588f0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benoit, a standout guard at <em>Thornton Academy</em> in Maine, is coming off a junior season in white he averaged 22.6 PPG. A versatile scoring guard, Benoit is one of the top perimeter shooters in Maine. Comfortable playing on or off the basketball, he does a good job of scoring at multiple levels. Off the ball, he is in continuous movement and does a great job of squaring his feet to the basket and being shot ready on the catch. He has a quick trigger from behind the arc and isn't afraid to take big shots in big moments. His football background comes through when he has the ball in his hands as he's capable of taking a bump and scoring at the rim. With a fair amount of talent moving on to the college ranks in Maine this winter, Benoit has the chance to take center stage and could be the state's leading scorer come February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532627"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671bf21588f72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caruso, a do-it-all guard at New Hampshire's <em>Nashua South</em>, averaged an impressive 27.5 PPG during his junior season. Recognized earlier this month as a <em>Summer Standout</em>, Caruso has a chance to lead all of New Hampshire in scoring this winter after flying relatively under-the-radar last winter while a few of the state's seniors took center stage. With in-the-gym range, he's a threat to score as soon as he crosses midcourt. He's done a good job of adding strength and rounding out his skillset and now shines as a scorer with or without the basketball. He does a great job of utilizing screens, can get to his spots in the mid-range off the bounce, and has started to finish through contact at the rim. He's capable of going for 30+ any night and has a chance to lead <em>Nashua South</em> on a deep playoff run this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671bf21588fbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Swing, one of the top scorers in Massachusetts as a junior at <em>Newton North</em>, averaged 24.0 PPG last winter. A well-built wing that seems to get better in big moments, Swing has the complete package as a scorer. He's a solidly built wing that has the strength to overpower smaller defenders and the skill and athleticism to take bigger defenders off the bounce on the perimeter. He can score at all three levels, but is particularly effective in the mid-range, where he does a great job of elevating into his jumper. He's a tough offensive rebounder, intelligent off ball cutter, and never takes a play off. We were in the gym last winter when he went for 43 against Lawrence, and wouldn't be at all surprised to see him lead the <em>MIAA</em> in scoring this winter while leading <em>Newton North</em> on a deep run in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2546943"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671bf21589006"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caldarella, a standout in Rhode Island at <em>Bishop Hendricken</em>, had multiple games of 20+ points as a junior last season. An impressive shot maker, Caldarella does a great job of moving without the basketball and exploding into his jumper on the perimeter. He's continued to expand his off the dribble game and proved capable of being a crafty rim finisher this summer. He does a great job of spacing the floor and running off screens, quickly gets his body squared to the rim, and has a clean, quick release. He's a willing ball mover that isn't afraid to turn down good shots to hunt great shots later in the clock. <em>Bishop Hendricken</em> has a chance to make a deep run in the state tournament this winter, and if they do, Caldarella and his ability to score the basketball will be a big reason why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2547120"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671bf21589048"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Monroe, who had a coming out party last year at <em>Windsor Locks</em> in Connecticut, averaged 22.7 PPG during the 2023-2024 season. A quick, lead guard with a terrific handle, Monroe made a statement last winter as a scorer. A crafty ball handler, he does a great job of creating space, utilizing a low center of gravity and the ability to stop on a dime and switch direction. He has nice burst off the balance and utilizes it to get past the initial defender and finish in the paint in a variety of ways. He can make jumpers in a hurry, knocking them down off the bounce or making them while moving without the ball. While he's an impressive creator, he is also a lead guard that knows how to flat out score the basketball and should have a chance to again be among the state's top scorers this winter while leading <em>Windsor Locks</em> on a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->