Mid-Season All-State: Connecticut

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the month of February just around the corner, it means that high school programs across New England are making their push for the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since we've now passed the midway point of the season in each of the six state associations, it's a good time to take a look at some of the top performers in each state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll begin taking a look at each of the six state associations and naming our mid-season all-state teams, beginning with <em>Connecticut</em> and the <em>CIAC</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Point Guard:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2396749' first='Amyre' last='Gray']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lead guard from <em>St. Bernard</em> has helped his team get off to a fast start this winter, currently sitting at 9-2. Gray is a dynamic lead guard that plays with great speed in the open floor, can create for himself and others, and does a nice job of defending on the perimeter, where he quickly turns defense into easy offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shooting Guard:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2453029' first='David' last='Smith']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring guard at <em>Glastonbury</em>, Smith has played a major role in the team's 12-2 start to the season. One of the state's top scorers, Smith is a powerful athlete that can finish plays above the rim in space, scores at all three levels, and uses his athleticism to make plays on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Small Forward:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2341304' first='Abdou' last='Toure']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state's top wing at <em>Notre Dame-West Haven</em>, Toure has done a little bit of everything in helping his team to a 12-2 start. One of the top wings in the country, Toure leaves his fingerprints all over a game with his ability to make plays with the basketball in his hands and take over as a scorer when called upon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Power Forward:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2452952' first='Ryan' last='Tolliver']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile forward at <em>Northwest Catholic</em>, Tolliver has proven to be one of the state's top forwards while leading his team to an 11-2 record. Tolliver is a hybrid forward that operates as the hub of an offense; he doesn't get sped up, can score at all three levels, and has a great feel for the game as a facilitator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Center:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2633557' first='Jared' last='Coleman']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physically imposing big man at <em>Hillhouse</em>, Coleman has been a force in the paint as his squad has jumped out to a 13-3 start to the season. A big time rebounder, Coleman knows how to control the paint with his ability to score from either block, pass out of double teams, and protect the rim on the other end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sixth Man:</strong> <strong><em>Joey Carrafiello</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A gifted scorer from <em>Seymour</em>, Carrafiello has put points on the board in a hurry while helping his team to a 9-6 record. A high level shooter from behind the arc, Carrafiello does a great job of moving without the basketball, leverages his shooting to open up driving opportunities, and can make shots in bunches when he gets going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for our next <em>Mid-Season All-State</em> reveal as we head to <em>Maine</em> and the <em>MPA</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*All team records and statistics are as of writing on January 29th, 2025.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->