VPA All-State First Team: Elite Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phew, it was hard to shake this list out. I had a few guys on the cusp but I had to go with my gut. Here it is, the top 5 guys from the 802 this year. We've got guys with multiple state titles, elite skill, and play style which transcends position. Get your fix of the 802s elite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325846' first='Abdi' last='Sharif'], 6'4 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sharif's senior season was propelled by his ability to control the whole game with his dynamic handle, improved shot-making ability, and enveloping defense. Abdi had his fingerprints all over every game with his aggressive offensive orchestration, often directing the whole show out of the pick and roll or creating off the bounce with shifty handles. Once he got into the 2nd layer, his array of shots showed themselves as tough floaters, post-up fades, and strong rim finishes. Plus, he added consistency to his 3pt game, making him a legit 3-level scorer. Add in his hawk-like defense in which he covered 1-5, smothering rotations, and often double-digit rebounding, and you get a two-way terror. A 3-time state champ and my 2025 POY.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2396750' first='Rex' last='Hauser'], 6'6 W - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A complete player in his own right, Hauser was the leader on a St. J team that seemed to be better than the sum of its parts and Rex played a big role in that. Hauser's versatility showed itself each moment he was on the court. He'd go from playing 5 at the center of the zone to smothering wings and guards, he'd snatch boards and go coast-to-coast or create offense in the halfcourt at all 3-levels with dynamic dribbles or physical post-ups; Hauser might walk into a 20+ ft. 3 or blow by on the wing to then throw down a two-hand jam over an unfortunate defender. Rex made teammates better with consistent on-time distribution when the defense over committed and relentless on and off ball defense of his own. All around guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325785' first='Owen' last='Eaton'], 6'2 G - Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VT's most prolific and skilled scorer has to be Owen. Eaton's athletic 3-level scoring was hard to stop considering you have to respect the jumper out to 23 ft. or so. If you don't, he nails it off the catch or the bounce, and if you step up too high, he's liable to blow by and make a play either with a pull-up, a strong finish at the iron, or an aware dish as the defense rotates hard to take away his scoring. Additionally, I saw his commitment to defense ramp up impressively so as he locked in on the best perimeter scorers, played passing lanes well, and attacked the glass. The highly flammable scorer continues to round out his already elite game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2377234' first='Carson' last='Cody'], 6'3 G - Montpelier H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montpelier's all-time leading scorer, Carson led MHS to another title and did so with efficient 3-level scoring. Cody's extensive range, change of pace, and decision making combined to give defenses fits. As he read coverages, Cody instinctively sunk jumpers, attacked closeouts, worked the rock to keep dominos falling, and slithered around the 2nd layer for short range shots, dishes and rim finishes. The lanky frame gives him nice reach around paint and his footwork creates space in the tightest of places. Plus, he's a defender who can give opponents a lot of trouble with his athleticism and length, able to recover and contest shots or jump passing lanes in the various pressure defenses. Tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325800' first='Evan' last='Eaton'], 6'2 G - Rice Memorial H.S. Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another combustible scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='2325800' first='Evan' last='Eaton']. I was well accustomed to his 3-level scoring abilities featuring athletic slashes, tight pull-ups and crisp shooting from range. But this year, Evan expanded his skillset as the primary ballhandler. In turn, his eye for distribution sharpened. Eaton organized offense and created as well with his ability to create an advantage off the bounce and throw the defense into a scramble. Distribution came to balance his scoring as he saw rotations and sought to get others going. Plus, he's shown the tools to be a defensive force with his athleticism and anticipation. A year where an already high-profile guy expanded his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->