End of Season Awards: NEPSAC AAA

While the page has officially turned from the high school season to the travel season, we want to take some time this week to unveil our All-NEPSAC teams.   Each of these teams will recognize a Player of the Year, as well as five 1st Team and five 2nd Team honorees.   We'll start today by taking a look at our All-NEPSAC AAA teams.     Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='2317310' first='Keyshuan' last='Tillery'] - New Hampton School   One of the top lead guards in the entire country, Tillery was a standout performer all winter long for New Hampton, and thus, have been named the Prep Hoops New England NEPSAC AAA Player of the Year! A dynamic ball-handler, Tillery was a true floor general for his team, running a high scoring and efficient offense in the half-court, while also exceling in transition. He made good decisions with the ball in his hands, particularly operating out of ball screens, and showed the ability to take over games as a scorer when needed. Combined those abilities with his intensity on the defensive end of the floor and high compete level, and you had one of the top players in New England this season. He will continue his career next season at the University of Cincinnati.     1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo'] - Newman School   A gifted wing scorer for the Newman School, Morillo burst onto the scene this year and cemented himself as one of the top prospects in New England. At 6'7" with a diverse skill set, he has the ability to impact a game in a variety of ways on the offensive end of the floor. Able to operate with or without the basketball in his hands, he proved to be a big time scorer that made some of his biggest shots in some of the biggest moments. With great positional size and a solid feel for the game, he was able to make plays over the defense, both as a scorer and passer. He provided a rebounding presence on the defensive end of the floor and someone that Newman could give the basketball to on the other end when they needed a basket.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1106063' first='London' last='Jemison'] - St. Thomas More School   A nationally regarded prospect on the wing for St. Thomas More, Jemison capped off a standout high school career in New England with a terrific senior season. At 6'8" with long arms and nice athletic pop, he was a versatile offensive performer that could score off the bounce or in catch and shoot situations. He used his size to get his jumper off over any defender, had a quick first step when attacking the rim, and could finish with authority when he got out in transition. He took a jump this winter as both a defender and defensive rebounder, showing a willingness to take on quality matchups in the game's biggest moments. He will continue his career next season at the University of Alabama.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2641694' first='Daye' last='Kaba'] - Vermont Academy   An electric scorer for Vermont Academy, Kaba made his presence felt from Day 1 in the back-court as a guard that could score with athleticism, skill, and toughness. A strong guard with nice athleticism, he was in attack mode from the first game of the season, proving capable of scoring over size in the paint. He had the ability to break down defenders in isolation situations, used his length as a scorer at the rim, and knocked down threes in catch and shoot situations. On top of that, he was terrific when he could get out in transition, attacking the rim relentlessly. Defensively, he played solid on-ball defense and made it difficult for opposing ball-handlers to get into the paint.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2317323' first='Mason' last='Blackwood'] - New Hampton School   One of the region's top wings, Blackwood was a key piece to the puzzle for a talented New Hampton squad this winter. A versatile two-way prospect, he was able to guard the opponent's top wing scorer, while also taking on a heavy scoring load himself. He continued to shine as a perimeter shooter, consistently knocking down catch and shoot jumpers. He used his strength and college ready frame to his advantage as a driver, showed impressive athleticism when attacking the rim, and made good decisions with the basketball in his hands as a passer. His ability to fill any role needed for his team to win stood out. He will continue his career next season at the Pennsylvania State University.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2341292' first='Collins' last='Chidera Onyejiaka'] - Newman School   As physically imposing of a big man as there was in New England, Chidera Onjyejiaka manned the middle for a Newman School team that was among the nation's best at the prep level. A real intimidator around the rim, he blocked or altered as many shots, if not more, as any big in the region. Physically strong, but also an impressive vertical athlete, he showed a willingness to be physical on the glass without sacrificing himself by commiting fouls. Offensively, he excelled as a screener that could roll hard to the rim, continued to improve as a finisher over either shoulder, and stood out with his ability to pass out of double teams. He showed good hands, a big catch radius, and the willingness to try to dunk everything around the rim.     2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1379225' first='Jakye' last='Rainey'] - Vermont Academy   A talented combo guard that made a real two way impact for Vermont Academy, Rainey shined on both ends of the floor with his combination of athleticism, basketball IQ, and feel for the game. A big time shooter, he knocked down a program record 111 three pointers this winter. He impressed with his ability to get open without the ball and had a quick trigger with deep range on his jumper. On the other end of the floor, he created a high number of turnovers with his on ball defense, showing off both quick hands and quick feet. His defense led to easy opportunities to score in transition, where he showed an ability to finish with either hand. He will continue his career next season at Saint Anselm College.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2325876' first='Naz' last='Meyer'] - New Hampton School   A gifted, three level scorer at the New Hampton School, he helped to form one of the best perimeter trios in prep basketball. With good size and length on the perimeter, he showed the ability to get to his spots off the bounce and to elevate into his jump shot in the mid-range. A smooth ball-handler, he had an explosive first step and did a nice job of using his length to his advantage when finishing around the rim. Defensively, he was capable of guarding up and down a position, made plays on the basketball in passing lanes, and could really rebound in space. He will continue his career next season at the University of Wyoming.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1529070' first='Badara' last='Diakite'] - South Kent School   An athletic big man that impacted games with his presence around the rim, Diakite was a standout this winter for South Kent. A big man with a skill set that fits the modern game, Diakite is a terrific rim runner that gets up and down the floor quickly in transition. He can handle the ball in space and does a great job of using his length and athleticism to his advantage when finishing around the rim. He also showed the ability to step out and hit face up jumpers this season. Defensively, he can guard on the perimeter or in the paint, and does a great job of challenging vertically at the rim. His ability to protect the basket is a standout skill and he can block shots on the ball or from the help side.   2nd Team: Teshaun Steele - Darrow School   A swiss army knife forward at the Darrow School, Steele proved to be one of the top high motor forwards in all of the NEPSAC this winter. He made a seemless transition to the NEPSAC and showed off his versatility on the defensive end of the floor. He could guard all five spots, was a solid on-ball defender on the perimeter, showed a relentless motor on the defensive glass, and offered some rim protection coming from the help side. Offensively, he was at his best when he could attack in space and showed a willingness to play through contact at the rim. The lefty had the ability to make face up jumpers in the mid-range, could put the ball on the floor to finish at the rim, and did a nice job of making passes on the move. He will continue his career next season at the University of New Haven.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2641692' first='Cheickna' last='Sylla'] - Bridgton Academy   A dominant low post scorer at Bridgton Academy, Sylla made his presence felt from Day 1 with his ability to score and rebound in the paint. A nightly double-double threat, the lefty big man used his strength to his advantage when carving out space on the block, while showing a big catch radius, and the ability to put the ball on the floor for multiple dribbles. He could finish with touch around the rim or play bully ball through the defense and had a high motor when chasing down loose balls on the offensive glass. On the other end, he was able to prevent opponents from establishing deep post positioning, blocked a fair amount of shots around the rim, and gobbled up rebounds in traffic.

While the page has officially turned from the high school season to the travel season, we want to take some time this week to unveil our All-NEPSAC teams.