End of Season Awards: NEPSAC AA

Our postseason awards coverage continues today with another look at the NEPSAC, this time AA.   One of the most competitive leagues for prep basketball in the country, AA produced a high number of talented players that were under consideration for these awards.   Below are our NEPSAC AA Player of the Year and All-NEPSAC teams.     Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1529071' first='Jaylen' last='Harrell'] - CATS Academy   Harrell, a dominant two-way wing for CATS Academy, was a standout from the opening tip of the season. The back-to-back Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts, he averaged 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. An athletic and physical presence on the wing, he took his game to another level as a playmaker this winter by showing the ability to create for others in the half-court. A gifted scorer, he continued to thrive with his ability to finish through contact in the paint, while also knocking down a high percentage of his perimeter jumpers. He's a versatile defender that had the ability to make a significant impact on the defensive glass. He will head to Providence College in the fall to continue his playing career.     1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2465117' first='Ryan' last='Moesch'] - Cushing Academy   Moesch, a talented lead guard out of Cushing Academy, made an immediate impact in New England. A heady and instinctive playmaker, he showed a great feel for the game as an initiator in the half-court. He made great reads in ball screens, was able to break down his defender in isolation situations, and could score at all three levels consistently. A leader on the floor, he was never afraid of the moment or taking the big shot. Defensively, he made plays on the ball and was adept at quickly turning defensive into transition offense.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2325746' first='Amir' last='Jenkins'] - Worcester Academy   Jenkins, a dynamic playmaker at Worcester Academy, asserted himself upon every game he played in and cemented his status as one of the top guards in New England and beyond. A blur in the open floor, he continued to improve as a half-court creator and scorer as the season wore on. Long, lean, and athletic, he showed off a quick first step and the ability to get anywhere he wanted on the floor off the bounce. His defensive intensity and ability to generate steals at a high level led to a ton of easy scoring opportunities in transition for him and his teammates.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2341363' first='Alex' last='Egbuonu'] - Lawrence Academy   Egbuonu, a gifted scorer from Lawrence Academy, had some of the most impressive offensive games of the season. A powerful and athletic presence on the floor, he had the ability to make plays both in and outside of the paint. As a scorer, he was able to consistently get buckets at all three levels, which led to a handful of 30+ point games on the season. He was a good cutter that used his frame and bounciness to his advantage as a rim finisher. Defensively, he had the ability to guard multiple positions and also showed himself to be a high level rebounder that could operate as a grab-and-go guy in transition.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1157225' first='Payton' last='Kamin'] - Worcester Academy   Kamin, a talented perimeter scorer out of Worcester Academy, put up big scoring night after big scoring night this winter. At 6'6", he had great size on the perimeter, allowing him to get his shot off over most defenders. He put that shot to good use all winter long, proving to be one of the top perimeter shooters in the region. He played at his own speed, rarely got speed up, and was able to get into his mid-range game off one or two dribbles. He didn't make the ball stick and moved well without the basketball too. On the other end, he had the ability to guard up or down a position and did a good job with his off-ball positioning.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2325768' first='Jacob' last='Davis'] - Cushing Academy   Davis, a physical forward from Cushing Academy, made his presence felt on both ends of the floor this season. After getting into the best shape of his high school career, he had a ramped up engine and the agility needed to impact games both in the paint and on the perimeter. He played hard, had a nose for the ball on the glass, and managed to score efficiently with his back to the basket on either block. He operated with the ball in his hands from the elbows and high post and showed a good feel for the game as a passer, find cutters for easy baskets at the rim. Defensively, he did a good job when switched in ball screens, was able to wall up with strength in the post, and controlled the glass as a rebounder.     2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1532418' first='Vincent' last='Chaudhri'] - Northfield Mount Hermon   Chaudhri, a big two-way wing out of Northfield Mount Hermon, shined with his versatility on both ends of the floor. The 6'8" wing played with above the rim athleticism and showed off elite shot making ability. With long arms and a quick first step, he had the ability to get into the paint off the bounce and finished over size at the rim. He averaged over 15 points per game on the season and did so on almost 40% shooting from behind the arc, proving to be one of the more consistent perimeter shooters in the region. His physical tools allowed him to be a versatile defender that could also impact games with his ability to rebound the basketball. He will head to George Washington University in the fall to continue his playing career.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2396720' first='Isaiah' last='Henderson'] - Kimball Union Academy   Henderson, a big time perimeter scorer at Kimball Union Academy, proved capable of getting 20+ points on any given night this season. A knock down perimeter shooter with in the gym range, he added to his game this year by showcasing some breakdown skill off the bounce. Elite in catch and shoot situations, he did a great job of leveraging his shooting to open up driving lanes. With a solid frame and plus athleticism, he had the ability to make loud plays at the rim off of drives or cuts. Defensively, he held his own guarding up or down a position, had the strength needed to defend in the post, and was good at generating steals in passing lanes. He will head to Siena College in the fall to continue his playing career.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2818561' first='Chinedu' last='Okpara'] - Wilbraham & Monson Academy   Okpara, an athletic forward at Wilbraham & Monson, showed two-way versatility and the ability to make an impact with his effort and intensity. A long and lean 6'6" wing, he has the physical tools and motor needed to be elite on the defensive end of the floor. With long arms and quick feet, he has the ability to be a disruptor on the perimeter while also holding his own in the paint and on the glass. He's terrific in the open floor when he can get out and use his length effectively as a finisher around the rim. While his perimeter jumper is still coming along, his ability to go by defenders off the bounce stands out and he does a good job of finding teammates for open shots off his drives.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2341352' first='Jaxson' last='Terry'] - CATS Academy   Terry, a standout scoring guard at CATS Academy, continued to make a name for himself as one of the more well-rounded offensive prospects in the region. While he suffered an injury at the tail end of the season, it was his ability to score night in and night out that stood out throughout the year. A bigger guard, he proved capable of playing on or off the ball, showing skill as a catch and shoot guy and also as an offensive initiator with the ball in his hands. His ability to create space with the bounce, opening up his perimeter shot and mid-range jumper, is second to none. He competes on the defensive end, can guard either perimeter spot, and does a nice job of making decisions in transition.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1532412' first='Dylan' last='Veillette'] - St. George's School   Veillette, a high IQ forward from St. George's, found a variety of ways to leave his mark on games this winter. One of the most versatile forwards in the region, he operated out of the post and on the perimeter, with the ball in his hands and without it. He scored with creativity in the paint over larger defenders and proved to be a mismatch on the perimeter with his ability to make shots or plays off the bounce. He rebounded at a high clip on both ends of the floor, could defend any position on the floor, and proved to have a high basketball IQ as a playmaker both offensively and defensively. He will head to Merrimack College in the fall to continue his playing career.

Our postseason awards coverage continues today with another look at the NEPSAC, this time AA.