Radar Watch: Talents Breaking Out in the VPA Pt. 1/2

Cody Quattrocci

January 19, 2025 @ 09:25 AM

Phew, I mean, there's a ton of talent in here. Check out this list of talented players who are offensive hubs, sheer playmakers, and simply winners. Tag in!   [player_tooltip player_id='2408951' first='Jack' last='Lafayette'], 6'2 G - Peoples Academy Class of 2027   Jack has changed schools and with it has come increased opportunity and responsibility. As expected, he's embraced both. Lafayette has been posting steady 20+ outings with his 3-level playmaking, getting to his spots often off the bounce due to his lead guard role, but knows how to move off the rock and get his shots that way too. Athletic, high-IQ and with good instincts, Jack will rebound, defend at a high-level, and give you a bit of everything.   [player_tooltip player_id='2568419' first='Sawyer' last='Judkins'], 5'9 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2027   The spry guard can move. Judkins pressures the rock hard, forcing tough organization for opposing guards as he mucks up their rhythm with deflected passes and pure pressure. Offensively, the southpaw has the athleticism to blow by and finish inside, feed shooters, or create in the pnr. Moreover, he's got the range to bring defenders outside the arc whether off the bounce or the catch. A passionate presence and premier VT guard.   Khamis Ali, 6'0 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025   Boy can Khamis lace 'em. Ali is known for his microwave shooting, able to fill it up in a hurry. And he does it in a variety of ways; spot-ups for sure, in transition he knocks it down well, and he'll walk right into a 3-ball when he's feeling it and knock it down. Moreover, he's quite efficient too. On the defensive side he's invested in the high-pressure system where he's in opponents air space or in the passing lanes to junk it up. One of VT's pure shooters.   Carter Bruzzese, 5'11 G - Montpelier H.S. Class of 2025   The facilitator of the D2 dynasty that is Montpelier, Bruzzese knows how to drive this team. Carter's a lefty with premier footwork; his change of pace and tight handle get him through tight gaps and into the 2nd layer where he finishes with finesse and finds the open seam for the dish. Understanding tempo and momentum well too, I like his floor general mindset. Defensively rugged and sly, he pressures well, reads passes, and erases opponent rhythm.   [player_tooltip player_id='2546968' first='Kerrick' last='Medose'], 6'0 G - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2025   Medose carries more responsibility this year as St. J's lead ballhandler and he's catching stride. Kerrick reads opponent's defenses well, knowing how to pick them apart with proper sets and crisp distribution. Plus, he's got an all-state talent alongside him in [player_tooltip player_id='2396750' first='Rex' last='Hauser'], and Medose intuitively gets him going. On the other end, Kerrick is steady within St. J's zone pressure, moving tightly in rotation and clearly understanding the principles. Smart, steady.   [player_tooltip player_id='2478937' first='Paul' last='Comba'], 5'11 G - South Burlington H.S. Class of 2026   You see the talent quickly when you watch Paul. A lefty with acrobatic game, Comba knows how to put his defender on skates and finish plays. He'll knife into the lane and finish in traffic, and he's got the range to jab, crossover and step back into jumpers. I like his movement away from the ball too, finding angles and space he can take advantage of. Active defensively with a springiness to him, Paul brings impact to both sides.   Dez Krakowka, 6'3 W/F - Rutland H.S. Class of 2025   The modern forward, Dez is an offensive hub inside and out. In the short corner he has nice face-up game where he can pick out cutters and shooters with laser distribution or he'll put the ball on the floor and play some bully ball. Additionally, he has the stroke going out to the arc, pulling defenders out or lacing jumpers. Otherwise, he keeps the ball popping, flows easily into DHOs and pnr, and is always looking for advantages. A tough defender too, Krakowka muscles inside, protects the cup and rebounds. Strong two-way presence.

Phew, I mean, there's a ton of talent in here. Check out this list of talented players who are offensive hubs, sheer playmakers, and simply winners. Tag in!