New England Commitment Catch-Up (02/28)

As February prepares to give way to March, the high school season in New England is nearing it's end.   And with that, more and more prospects are announcing their college plans.   Here are nine recent commits from across the region.   [player_tooltip player_id='2547030' first='Connor' last='O'Rourke']   O'Rourke made his college plans official with a commitment to Saint Anselm College. One of the top post prospects in the NHIAA, O'Rourke is a physical presence in the paint that scores inside of 10', rebounds in traffic and in space, and protects the rim. He's a good athlete that can finish plays above the rim in space, shows the ability to finish over either shoulder in the post, and continues to extend his range on his jumper, showing soft touch as a shooter. His versatility defensively stands out as he can switch ball screens, wall up in the post, and move his feet to stay in front of guards.   [player_tooltip player_id='2546805' first='Andrew' last='Mabry']   Mabry came off the board with a commitment to Dodge City Community College. A big time scorer for Bridgeport Prep, Mabry proved himself as one of the region's better combo guards this winter. He's a bigger guard that has a good frame and, while he's a quality athlete, tends to play at his own pace. He's comfortable playing on or off the ball, can score at all three levels, and has the ability to make good reads in ball screens. On the other end of the floor, he can guard either back-court spot and does a nice job of rebounding, both in space and in traffic.   John Patenaude   Patenaude put an end to his recruitment with a pledge to Thomas College. One of the better scorers in the MPA this winter, Patenaude is a crafty combo guard that scores in the half-court as well as in transition. He has the ability to quick change speeds and directions with the ball in his hands. He can stop quickly and elevate into his jumper and does a nice job of using ball screens to get to his spots as a scorer. He's really good in transition, both running the floor without the basketball and as a decision maker when he has the ball on the break.   [player_tooltip player_id='2547094' first='Nate' last='Hebert']   Hebert finalized his college plans with a commitment to Thomas College. A post-grad at Kents Hill, Hebert is a high level perimeter shooter that gets his shot off effortlessly. A former state champion, he's wired to score and does so with regularity behind the arc. He has in the gym range, moves well without the basketball to find open passing lanes, and quickly gets his shot off on the catch. He's developed as a driver, leveraging his shooting to open up lanes and finishing with creativity in the paint. He's a willing ball mover that limits turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2786790' first='Cole' last='Craffey']   Craffey wrapped up his recruitment with a pledge to Connecticut College. A high IQ combo guard that plays with skill and toughness, Craffey is one of the best two-way guards in the MIAA. He is a capable scorer that can makes plays in isolation situations as well as in ball screens. He knows how to use a screen to turn the corner and get downhill and is a capable finisher in the paint, finishing with touch over size or physicality through contact. He can run an offense in the half-court, score from behind the arc off the ball, and makes winning plays in big games.   [player_tooltip player_id='1532637' first='James' last='Dingman']   Dingman came off the board when he announced his commitment to Clarkson University. A crafty scoring guard that gets it done at multiple levels, Dingman has proven to be capable of making plays on or off the ball. A perimeter shooter that also knows how to create off the bounce, he does a nice job of creating space off the dribble and makes tough contested shots. He does his work early to get shot ready, quickly squares up to the rim, and has a consistent and repeatable release. He runs the floor well and also leverages his shooting to open up driving lanes.   Ryan Vedovelli   Vedovelli ended his recruitment when he commited to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. A true lead guard that makes those around him better, Vedovelli plays with a great motor and consistently makes good decisions with the basketball in his hands. He does a good job of playing in ball screens, balancing his scoring with finding the open man when he turns the corner. He's capable of scoring at all three levels and is particularly efficient as a mid-range shooter. On top of that, he is willing to give up his body to make winning plays, like diving on loose balls or taking charges.   [player_tooltip player_id='2633107' first='Tzar' last='Powell-Aparicio']   Powell-Aparicio announced his college plans with a commitment to Bridgewater State University. Arguably the top combo guard in the MIAA, Powell-Aparicio is an athletic, physical, and skilled two-way performer. He's a terror in transition that can finish at the rim with power and creativity. He's a capable perimeter shooter that can get his shot off in catch and shoot situations or off the bounce. He's hard to guard as a downhill driver, one who's capable of finishing himself at the rim or making good reads and creative passes that lead to easy layups for teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='2811997' first='Robinson' last='Rodriguez']   Rodriguez made his college plans official when he announced his commitment to Springfield College. An athletic forward that can impact a game on either end of the floor, Rodriguez is a prospect that continues to get better with each passing week. He has good positional size, length that allows him to make plays in space, and the ability to guard multiple positions with his athleticism. He's a good rim running forward that has also begun to show the ability to make plays as a straight line driver. His defensive versatility is a seperator, as he can guard in space or in the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='2547098' first='Niko' last='Catalano']   Catalano's recruitment came to an end when he announced that he'll attend Endicott College. A standout forward at North Andover, Catalano is a prospect that does all the little things that impact winning. He's a versatile prospect on the offensive end of the floor that can operate as the hub of an offense from the top of the key. His combination of size, skill, and versatility allows him to make plays on the perimeter against bigger forwards and in the paint against smaller defenders. He's a strong offensive rebounder that also can operate as a grab and go rebounder on the defensive end.

As February prepares to give way to March, the high school season in New England is nearing it's end.