NEPSAC Profiles: Bridgton Academy

As the college hoops season kicks off today, it's a reminder that high school basketball isn't far away.   That's particularly true in the NEPSAC, where league games start as early as next week.   While we've covered some notable programs over the last few weeks, there's still more to get to, beginning today with Bridgton Academy.   The Wolverines, led by Whit Lesure, are one of the rare post-graduate only programs around, thus, each year brings a completely new roster.   This winter, they'll be led by [player_tooltip player_id='2313060' first='Jake' last='Cofield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2379278' first='Ajay' last='Lopes']; two standouts who headed north to Maine after successful high school careers in the MIAA.   Cofield, an athletic and mobile big man with elite shot blocking instincts, will man the post; while Lopes, a talented scorer with the basketball in his hands, could lead the team in scoring.   Below, we'll take a look at five more prospects to watch for the Wolverines this winter.    Bull, who makes his way to Bridgton from Delaware, is a talented combo guard that knows how to score in a variety of ways. He's a physical ball handler that likes to get downhill and makes good reads out of ball screens. He's an impressive passer that does a good job of drawing the defense in and then finding the open man. He plays with good pace, gets to his spots, and knows when to get his own buckets. Defensively, he's capable of guarding either spot in the backcourt. He's tough on the ball, does a good job of moving his feet laterally, and is a quality open space rebounder. He'll have a chance to prove himself this winter and is a definite prospect to watch for college coaches.     Clarke, another prospect that made his way to Maine from the MIAA, intrigues with his combination of athleticism, positional size, and skill. With great length on the interior, Clarke has the ability to change a game defensively as a rim protector. He has a plus wingspan, moves his feet well, and does a nice job of blocking shots without fouling. He's a versatile defender that knows how to utilize his length and lateral mobility to guard on the perimeter in switches. Offensively, he does a solid job of running the floor in transition, roles hard out of ball screens, and has an impressive catch radius. He's a good finisher in the paint and has continued to improve his ability to make shots from the perimeter. He's a definite college prospect that has a chance to increase his recruitment this winter.     Thomas, heads north to Bridgton after a successful high school career in Delaware, is a versatile prospect on the perimeter that really knows how to score the basketball. An impressive open floor athlete, Thomas is a scorer through and through. He's a shot creator that does a good job of finding space, has a high release on his jumper, and finishes with authority at the rim. He's got some craftiness to his game off the bounce, knows how to create space with the dribble, and can knock down shots in bunches from behind the arc. Defensively, he's got the ability to guard ones through fours with his combination of athleticism, length, and positional size. When he sits in a stance, he can really guard the basketball. He's a scholarship prospect that should be on the radar of coaches up and down the east coast.     Childs, a prospect that made his way to Maine from California, is a big, playmaking guard that excels with the basketball in his hands. A lefty that can really space the floor, Childs does a good job of playing to his strengths on the offensive end of the floor. He has a little wiggle off the bounce and a nice floater game in the paint. He's a willing ball mover, high IQ decision maker, and delivers passes on time and on target. He thrives on the defensive end of the floor and is an on-ball stopper. With great length, terrific lateral mobility, and a high activity level, he can defend multiple position on the floor and creates a high number of deflections and steals. He's another potential scholarship prospect that has some serious 3-and-D potential at the next level.     Old Person-Harlow, who played his high school basketball in Montana, pops on the offensive end of the floor with his versatility and ability to thrive as an off-ball scorer. One of the top scorers in Montana last winter, Old Person-Harlow can operate as an offensive hub with his ability to score and make quality decisions. He's a confident ball handler that rarely turns it over, does a good job of getting past the initial defender, and knows how to use his dribble to create space for his jumper. He's a high level shooter from behind the arc, both of the catch and the bounce, and utilizes that skill to open up driving lanes. On the defensive end of the floor, he does a nice job of rebounding the basketball and knows where to be within a team scheme. He's another quality college prospect that should gain more attention as the season goes on.

As the college hoops season kicks off today, it's a reminder that high school basketball isn't far away.