NEPSAC AA Semifinals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our <em>NEPSAC</em> tournament check-ins continue today with a look at Class AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the deepest and most talented leagues in New England, these two semifinal matchups are must watch if you're a fan of high school hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is the game info, how they got here, and players to watch for each of AA's semifinal matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#1 Cushing Academy vs. #5 Kimball Union Academy</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Game Info:</em> At Cushing Academy on Saturday, March 7th, at 3:00 PM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>How They Got Here:</em> Cushing took care of #8 Albany Academy, while Kimball Union got by #4 Winchendon School (95-84).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cushing:</em></strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2470818' first='Anthony' last='Vick']</em>, a 6'4" guard, is an electric scorer of the basketball that has excelled as a secondary option this winter. He's a quick twitch athlete that does a nice job of getting downhill off the bounce, can stop on a dime and elevate quickly into his mid-range jumper, and who has really shown the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. He's really good in the open floor and can really score it late in the clock as an isolation option. Defensively, he plays with a good activity level and has the ability to create turnovers in bunches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Kimball Union:</em></strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2452977' first='Brandon' last='Arnold']</em>, a 6'2" guard, is one of the top perimeter shooters in all of New England. He's got a compact and physical build, but also plays with good burst as a driver and plus athleticism as a finisher around the rim. He does a terrific job of moving without the basketball, using screens to his advantage, and being shot ready on the catch. He can attack closeouts and shows the ability to create for himself and others off the bounce. Defensively, he does a nice job of guarding at the point of attack and has the ability to keep opposing ball-handlers out of the paint, while also rebounding well out of the gaurd spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#2 St. George's School vs. #3 Cheshire Academy</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Game Info:</em> At the St. George's School on Saturday, March 7th, at 4:00 PM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>How They Got Here:</em> St. George's handled #7 St. Andrew's (98-90), and Cheshire escaped with a victory against #6 Lawrence Academy (84-80).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>St. George's:</em></strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2611205' first='Kenny' last='Benedict']</em>, a 6'6" wing, has taken on a major role this winter for St. George's and is the perfect compliment to <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2341299' first='Dywane' last='Chess']</em>. He is a plus athlete that attacks the rim off the bounce, draws fouls at a high rate, and can knock down shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. He plays with good strength on both ends of the floor, has a high basketball IQ, and does a nice job of rebounding in and out of his area. He does a great job of making the right play and is capable of really going off as a scorer when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cheshire:</em></strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2875576' first='Justin' last='Brown']</em>, a 6'3" guard, is one third of a terrific three-man guard rotation for Cheshire, that includes <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2546943' first='James' last='Caldarella']</em> and <em>[player_tooltip player_id='2874981' first='John' last='Spinoso']</em>. The lefty guard can really shoot it, does a nice job of moving without the basketball, runs the floor hard in transition, and quickly gets into his shot on the catch. He's got a quick trigger on his jumper, but has also shown the ability to leverage his shooting to open up driving lanes. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and doesn't get sped up, a trait that helps him against pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->