MIAA: Recent Players of the Game

Recently I watched some pretty good games as of late. The teams I wanted to check out were Newton South (young), Acton-Boxboro who I think is intriguing who could win a game or two in MIAA playoffs. Others include a great Junior class in Arlington, Westwood (deep), Cathedral (athletic), Everett (pesky), a couple D1 favorites in Bridgewater-Raynham & Attleboro. I will have other articles soon with some different players to Watch Out for as I do a run of evaluations on those players. Follow on <a href="https://x.com/jayjohnson88">X</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambrosepe/">Instagram</a> as I describe talent around the area.    A dual sport athlete who says at this time football is his niche but nevertheless, a great addition to Acton-Boxborough. Plays the center position for his high school because of his size and athleticism. A monstorous game against Newton South posting 20 points and 17 rebounds, which I can see might be the norm as he times rebounds well. He tags players and anticipates where the ball will go off the glass. He had a couple nice no dribble put backs. Great positioning in the offense with the team having 3 other guys who can score. He seals off the players guarding him well to grab offensive boards. With his length he alters shots and passes a lot.     Shoots deep off the catch and has great hands catching in traffic. He has all the tools to become a great scorer. Defensively was as good as I have seen from anyone with 5 steals even a couple leading to fast breaks points helping to get a big lead early and a couple other tipped passes. His anticipation as a free safety was dangerous. This was the 4th time seeing Ladainian and he is ready for D3 in college now, but D2 coaches may want to track his progress as he may enter a prep year next year.     He alters shots/passes with his length, hand eye timing. He shot extremely well from deep knocking down 6 3's, off catch/shoot situations and in transition. He knocked them down from different locations wing, slot, even a dagger corner three. Had a sweet coming off a screen wing 3 with his back turned to the hoop. Made some good entry passes to the low/mid block areas. Has another year, he may do a post grad but with his upside could play D3 in a couple years.     Plays off two feet around the rim. Jabari had some good post moves for a shorter big in MIAA. He had some turn and face couple dribble layups. Great hands in traffic, made shots in traffic, didn't get fazed with the double team. He is strong and timed his jumps very well for rebounds. I would love to see his progress with a year and half left in high school basketball. It was stated by his coaches, he made all around improvements since his sophomore year.     First impression is that he is athletic, has a variety of handles and kept plays alive to create second chances for his team multiple times. He gets downhill, but used the ball screens nicely. He finished around the rim with both hands. Made layups after contact. Had a nice couple big time shots, one off the bounce mid-range and another off a BLOB catch/shoot situation. He took over the 3rd quarter and continued to make shots late in the game to help his team win against a tough Charlestown team. He could play D3 in college or he might be a post grad year candidate.     He altered many shots with good close out speed against a good Brookline team. He is strong on both ends of the floor playing through contact and walling up. He drew a few fouls today. He has a nice long stride post up spin move layup. He has good footwork and finishes at the rim efficiently. He made a high IQ play to blitz a player immediately to get the strip and steal. A year and a half to go so Samir is worth tracking his progress for prep/D3 coaches.     My 4th time watching Cam and he plays solid every game and is a contributor to his teams success. He made some beautiful shots especially getting 17 points in the first quarter. Tough in traffic shots as well including top of key 3 ball, baseline jumper later, in transition off the bounce. He walled up nicely on defense against an athletic New Bedford team. He is thinking about doing a post grad/reclassify next year at a prep school in southeastern Mass/Rhode Island area coaches! He is D3 ready now but if he does do a prep year D2 coaches should watch his progress if you haven't yet.     Wow what a beautiful performance from Jahmari today against Weymouth. A career high at Cathedral 26 points (5 3's). A bright future ahead, keeps plays going with his effort. Shot deep with a nice high arcing shot, swishes but also had a sweet baseline fadeaway mid-range jumper. Played through and finished after contact a couple of times. On occasion he ran back to effect shots in transition help defense. With his dad's coaching background, brother's D1 talent, high school coaches D1 background track his progress as he will definitely have the knowledge to play.

Recently I watched some pretty good games as of late. The teams I wanted to check out were Newton South (young), Acton-Boxboro who I think is intriguing who could win a game or two in MIAA playoffs. Others include a great Junior class in Arlington, Westwood (deep), Cathedral (athletic), Everett (pesky), a couple D1 favorites in Bridgewater-Raynham & Attleboro. I will have other articles soon with some different players to Watch Out for as I do a run of evaluations on those players. Follow on X and Instagram as I describe talent around the area.