NEPSAC Profiles: Milton Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The&nbsp;<em>NEPSAC Profiles</em>&nbsp;series continues with a look at Milton Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Located in Milton, Massachusetts, Milton Academy is a co-educational, independent, and college preparatory boarding and day school that competes in the&nbsp;<em>NEPSAC A</em>&nbsp;division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milton Academy will be led this winter by [player_tooltip player_id='2325763' first='Jack' last='Watson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2341357' first='LJ' last='Reddicks'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watson, a skilled wing, has the ability to do a little bit of everything on the offensive end of the floor. He plays with a high basketball IQ and has shown the ability to initiate offense, make shots from behind the arc, and score in the paint as a cutter. Defensively, he's instinctive, knows where he needs to be on the floor, and can guard up and down a lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reddicks, a jumbo guard in the class of 2026, has a versatile game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he excels in transition, getting up and down the floor and utilizing his athleticism as a rim finisher. He's improved his perimeter jumper, is comfortable making plays with the ball in his hands, and can score at the rim over smaller defenders. He's another multi-positional defender that can guard with a combination of length and instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are six more prospects that should have a major impact for the Mustangs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470857' first='Reece' last='Ayala']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ayala is a big lead guard that brings great athleticism, physicality, and strength to the position. He does a great job of getting downhill, can score efficiently in the mid-range, and knows how to deliver the ball on time and on target to shooters. His defensive versatility is one of his calling cards as he can guard an perimeter spot at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2341348' first='Spencer' last='Booth']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top 2027's in New England, Booth is a 6'10" forward that continues to get better as he adds strength, showing improved athleticism and the ability to play harder for longer stretches of time. He can score over either shoulder in the post, make set 3's from the trailer spot, and does a good job of rebounding in and out of his area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470924' first='Ryan' last='McLaughlin']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'2 combo guard, McLaughlin knows how to pick his spots as a scorer and when to go into playmaker mode. The sophomore has a terrific IQ on both ends of the floor, knows how to scorer over bigger defenders in the paint, and can guard in space with his understanding of angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470933' first='Connor' last='Noel']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noel is a 6'5" floor spacer. He has terrific positional size, he has range out behind the arc, and is a microwave type scorer from the perimeter. Defensively, he has good length, moves well laterally, and has the strength and motor to guard forwards in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2696621' first='Cole' last='Simmons']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'1" combo guard, Simmons fills the role of a prototypical 3-and-D guy. With a quick release, he doesn't need much time or space to get his shot off and he can make them in bunches from behind the arc. He's solid on the defensive end; capable of guarding either spot in the back court and leading a defense as a communicator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devan Williams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A newcomer to Milton, Williams is a 6'2" guard that can create both to score and facilitate. He's crafty around the basket, does a great job of creating in the open floor, and can knock down shots in bunches from behind the arc. Has the ability to guard both spots in the back court and is as competitive as they come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->