D2 Boy's Final Four - Prep Hoops

I attended the boy's Division II MIAA Final Four Playoff games at UMASS Boston Beacons. First game featured the 6th seed Somerset-Berkley (19-1) whose lone loss was to D1 Durfee vs 7th seed Masconomet (18-1) whose lone loss was to D1 Winchester. Somerset was down by 14 at the half. They turned the pressure up and started the 2nd half on a 8-0 run by causing mayhem in the backcourt. The final would be 66-58 in favor of Somerset giving them a rematch with Malden-Catholic. Jaycob Morales has a great group coming back. There are two in this article below and four more including [player_tooltip player_id='2879085' first='Thomas' last='Denton'], 6'4" athletic big frame tough to keep off the glass, keeps plays alive and can shoot in transition. Somerset plays Sunday at 4 pm at Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA.   The second game featured current three peat champ #1 Malden Catholic (18-1), whose only loss this season was to Catholic foe Catholic Memorial, 80-74 vs #4 Oliver Ames. OA was bound to have a great year in the Hockomock League and started this game red hot knocking down 7 three point field goals in the first half taking a lead 31-25 into the half. Following the third, they still had Malden Catholic on their heels up 44-39. MC is hard to keep down and they crawled back in with help from Jeremiah Figaro playing great defense and a couple blocks. Jaheem Lawson chipped trying to slow down OA's Jacob Lok. With 6.9 seconds left [player_tooltip player_id='2826490' first='Mamadou' last='Camara'] threw a lob to his brother Abe and got the layup to go just before the buzzer. This game was exciting and why not go to overtime tied at 54. Malden Catholic would eventually come out on top at 57.7 seconds left off [player_tooltip player_id='2341420' first='Aboubakar' last='Nimaka']'s two made free throws. This would be the final score of 62-61 in favor of Malden Catholic getting a chance at a four peat. Oliver Ames does have 6 players coming back for the 25-26 year including two captains, so you know there is leadership for them in the future.    He controlled the tempo early for Oliver Ames. He could have easily taken [player_tooltip player_id='2826490' first='Mamadou' last='Camara'] off the bounce to the rack as lanes were open but chose to move the ball. He was probing all night long trying to vie for the best possible shot. He can really take care of the ball off a bigger guard defending him. He uses a variety of handles crossover, tween, hip swivel, foot anchor and reverse crossover. Smart player baiting his defender in the air to get fouled on a three point shot.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899244989349011685">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899244989349011685</a>     After coming back from Brimmer & May School for this year, Cole showcased his abilities for everyone to see why he can play at the next level. The Connecticut College commit was the best player on the court tonight. He was getting to the rack and finishing over a variety of defenders even longer opponents. Cole changed his technique each time whether it was a jab step, rip through or hesi off no more than two dribbles to finish. A strong and powerful guard who was the best rebounder in the game as well. He played his best I have seen and should have gotten the ball down the stretch more in my opinion.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899266672189456488">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899266672189456488</a>     Disruptive on defense with his wing span causing turnovers and blocked shots. He had an incredible high assist to turnover ratio 11/2. He was fun to watch slashing to the bucket drawing fouls and finishing with tough layups. He made sure to find the hot hand, not over dribbling even though its hard to steal the ball from him. Mamadou has a few options he went to in this game to get by or ward off defenders whether slow stepping, reverse cross over or stunt steps. This player for the second time was a top 5 player on the court and D3 college coaches should keep watch with potential to be a D2 player depending on his progress the next couple of years.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899284718056620125">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899284718056620125</a>     Was even more athletic and could handle the ball more efficiently than the first time I saw him play. A few highlights from his game tonight was his interior passing, high rip euro step finish layup and spin fadeaway paint touch finish. He was a bully at times and occasionally finished acrobatically. He was clutch at the end knocking two key free throws that would eventually take the final lead. I believe he is a D3 candidate but with continued work can be a D2 player.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899284718056620125">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899284718056620125</a>     The most gifted player in MIAA D2 with great knowledge how to draw fouls (at least 4 fouls drawn) and to get good looks at the rim. He worked on both ends of the floor especially taking Oliver Ames 2nd option away leaving him with 6 points. Matt is very smooth and explosive whether shooting or driving. He got his shot off a couple different defenders and continued to place heavy pressure on the defense to box out when the shot went up or force the help defender to step in.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899265059601416239">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899265059601416239</a>     A true leader and floor general for this team, without him this team would be sacrificing a lot. He can score from anywhere on the floor. He scored over a couple of defenders tonight, off the bounce from deep and in transition. He is calm and weathers the storm under pressure, making quick decisions with precision. I am excited for his senior season next year and how far he can take Masco next year.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899230118670721187">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899230118670721187</a>     He got really close to a double double with points and rebounds, must be an occasional night for him. He has a good jab step that worked multiple times tonight. He is also a force and played absolute bully ball from the wing spot driving. He was fighting for a loose ball and kept possession for his team by throwing it off the leg of the opposing player. Going into next year would love for him to work on his outside game to really stretch the floor. I would see him playing for a D3 team in a couple of years.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899230118670721187">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899230118670721187</a>     He takes care of the basketball. He is a very unselfish player getting ball movement into many different teammate's hands. He wants to attack the rim finishing multiple ways with quick spins, floaters or weak hand hook shot off the backboard. Defensively can pressure the ball or force bad passes, jumps the passing lanes extremely well.      <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899229062100340755">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899229062100340755</a>     He instantly can heat up, from deep can score off the quick catch and shoot or off the bounce. Defensively played just as good as anyone on the floor getting multiple tips and steals. Really disrupted the Masco team especially in the second half on defense with his quickness. He sliced Masco defense getting to the rack and had a beautiful left-handed baseline drive finish. He is a scorer that can easily lead both teams in points on any given night. If he wants could play D3 basketball in two years.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899229062100340755">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899229062100340755</a>     A double double machine for Somerset-Berkley. A strong rugged body playing on the varsity football team as well having the ability to take the ball out of opponent's hands or to maintain possesion. When players want to reach or swipe high for the ball he diverts to ripping low on his way to attack the basket. He got to the basket as easily as anyone on the floor tonight. Has a good use of ball fakes and stretches the floor giving his ability to take players of his size off the bounce. He played great defense down the stretch avoiding foul trouble on this thin Somerset team, contesting shots and walling up at the rim.       <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899279541853454575">https://twitter.com/jayjohnson88/status/1899279541853454575</a>

I attended the boy's Division II MIAA Final Four Playoff games at UMASS Boston Beacons. First game featured the 6th seed Somerset-Berkley (19-1) whose lone loss was to D1 Durfee vs 7th seed Masconomet (18-1) whose lone loss was to D1 Winchester. Somerset was down by 14 at the half. They turned the pressure up and started the 2nd half on a 8-0 run by causing mayhem in the backcourt. The final would be 66-58 in favor of Somerset giving them a rematch with Malden-Catholic. Jaycob Morales has a great group coming back. There are two in this article below and four more including Thomas Denton Thomas Denton 6'5" | SF Masconomet Regional | 2027 State New E , 6'4" athletic big frame tough to keep off the glass, keeps plays alive and can shoot in transition. Somerset plays Sunday at 4 pm at Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA.