MIAA Preview: Major Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next week, I'll be previewing some standout players across all divisions of the MIAA. Though prep schools get lots of the love when it comes to basketball exposure, there is still absolutely a good amount of talent in the MIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/miaa-preview-forwards-to-watch/">MIAA Preview: Forwards to Watch</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/miaa-preview-scoring-guards/">MIAA Preview: Scoring Guards</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/miaa-preview-wings-who-can-score-it/">MIAA Preview: Wings who can score it</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/miaa-preview-under-the-radar-guards/">MIAA Preview: Under the Radar Guards</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/miaa-preview-sub-6-foot-guards-ready-to-break-out/">MIAA Preview: Sub 6-foot Guards Ready to Break Out</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That being said, let's look at some breakout candidates who will turn heads this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2957215"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691218a02f93b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cormier is in a PRIME breakout position for Newburyport. The 6-foot-8 forward is going to be the tallest player on basically every MIAA court he's on this season, which will allow him to dominate the boards and finish near the rim against smaller bigs. But he can also step out and handle, pass and shoot, which makes him a really difficult matchup for opposing centers. He didn't play a huge role on Newburyport last season, but Cormier should be their best player this year and will likely see tons of post grad opportunities as a result. Big future ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2879085"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691218a02f9be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Denton is another player who's gotten significantly better since the last high school season. The 6-foot-5 wing is going to be one of the better shooters in the MIAA, and he pairs his touch with the size and skillset necessary to put up some pretty elite offensive numbers. Masco is going to have a host of talented players who can light it up, but I would be surprised if Denton isn't a key cog there. He can do everything offensively and is only going to continue getting stronger and more comfortable in his body. Big time player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691218a02fa08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ste. Marie wasn't a massive part of Manchester Essex's offensive attack last season, but I would be shocked if he isn't this year. He's simply too effective no matter where he is on the floor; he can post up and find cutters and shooters on the weak side, he can play on the perimeter and use pump fakes and slow steps to get to his spots in the paint, and he can do everything in between. He's just a skilled player who's well beyond his years when it comes to decision making. Ste. Marie will be a key player for a very talented Manchester Essex team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696695"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691218a02fa4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Louis played well last season for Archbishop Williams, but he's made some improvements to his game over the summer and will turn heads at the MIAA level this winter. The 5-foot-11 guard is a bulldog on both ends, and when he commits to pressuring opposing ball handlers, he's an absolute menace defensively — he can be a phenomenal point of attack defender if he wants to be. Offensively, Louis keeps his line well on drives and cannot be moved off his spot because of his strength and toughness. He'll score close to 20 a game this season if I had to guess.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832780"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691218a02fa8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm just waiting for Pastore to develop more physically, because once he does, the entire MIAA is going to be put on notice. The 5-foot-7 guard is short and skinny, but he has one of the more refined skillsets you'll see for a sophomore guard. He has a wonderful handle and the head fakes and feel necessary to make up for his lack of explosiveness. He also shoots it incredibly well from three and has nice passing vision. Bigger and stronger players can frustrate him, but when he undergoes his growth spurt (which could be this year), he's going to be a problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->