Impressive Underclassmen – Maine Principals Association

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we head to Maine, where we'll check highlight a few of the impressive underclassmen that are standing out so far in MPA play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five freshmen and sophomores that have made an impact with their play so far this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571883"],"_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-69529e0f14f57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Higgins, a sophomore forward out of <em>Brewer High School</em>, has quickly established himself as one of the best post defenders in the state. The 6'9" big man has is a fluid athlete with great length that does a terrific job protecting the rim. He continues to impress with his two-way rebounding and shows potential as a grab and go decision maker in transition. Higgins is a nightly double-double threat that has the ability to score the basketball at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2938600"],"_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-69529e0f14fee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins, a freshman wing out of <em>Cheverus High School</em>, has made an immediate impact at the varsity level with his athleticism and ability to score the basketball. Already one of the top scorers in the SMAA, he has impressed with his ability to get downhill off the bounce, to chase down rebounds on the offensive end of the floor, and to attack closeouts as a driver. His versatility on the defensive end of the floor allows him to be disruptive in passing lanes and on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969380"],"_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-69529e0f1506d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pelletier, a freshman forward out of <em>Madawaska High School</em>, has been instrumental in helping his squad get off to a 5-1 start this season. The 6'5" forward is a versatile offensive prospect that can really score the basketball. He's a plus athlete that has the ability to finish plays above the rim, operates as an initiator and decision maker in the half-court, and can rebound it at a high level defensively. He's one of the top 2029's in the region and should continue to put up big numbers this winter for <em>Madawaska</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luke Gendron","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sanford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69529e0f1517d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gendron, a sophomore guard out of <em>Sanford High School</em>, has proven to be one of the top scoring guards in the southern part of the state. The sophomore has gotten off to a hot start and is a major reason why <em>Sanford</em> is sitting at the top of the standings a third of the way through the season. He is a terrific off-ball mover that knows how to use screens to his advantage, finding ways to get open on the perimeter where he's an excellent shooter from behind the arc. On top of that, he's a crafty finisher around the rim and tough shot maker in the mid-range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969341"],"_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-69529e0f151fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brathwaite, a freshman guard out of <em>Cony High School</em>, burst onto the scene right out of the gate with 26 points in the season opener. The 6'3" combo guard has terrific positional size and plays with a lot of creativity with the ball in his hands. He's a three level scorer that has the ability to make tough shots on the ball and to consistently knock down threes in catch and shoot situations. On top of that, he's a versatile defender that can guard any spot on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check back later today as we take a look at some early season standout scorers in the MIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->