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<p>Today, we continue with our player rankings for the Maine Principals Association with a look at the back half of the <em>Top 10</em> - the prospects that we've ranked at #10 through #6.</p>
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<p>We started the week with a look at our <em>Honorable Mention</em> selections and will wrap up tomorrow with a look at the <em>Top 5</em>.</p>
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<p>For now, let's dive into the prospects that cracked into our rankings and are poised for a big year up in Maine!</p>
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<p><strong><em>#10:</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3729778' first='Gage' last='Mattson']</strong> (Maranacook)</p>
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<p>Mattson, a 6'1" sophomore guard, burst onto the scene as a freshman, making an immediate impact for <em>Maranacook</em>. He's a versatile scorer that has the strength to play through contact off the bounce, finishes plays at the rim with some craftiness, and has the ability to create shots in isolations situations. He plays with toughness, can make an impact on or off the ball, and does a nice job of rebounding on both ends of the floor. He's another prospect in Maine's talented 2029 group and has a chance to be one of the state's top scorers this winter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>#9:</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2829425' first='Trevin' last='Ripley']</strong> (Belfast)</p>
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<p>Ripley, a 6'7" senior forward, is arguably the top post prospect in the state. He has broad shoulders, a big frame, and has done a nice job of developing his athleticism and mobility. He's capable of finishing over either shoulder with touch, can make shots as a pick-and-pop guy out of ball screens, and even shows some off the bounce game from the perimeter. He does a nice job of walling up in the paint, alters and blocks plenty of shots around the rim, and has the ability to clean up on the glass in traffic. He's a nightly double-double threat and should be in the running for all-state honors this season at <em>Belfast</em>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>#8: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='3729805' first='Luke' last='Gendron']</strong> (Sanford)</p>
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<p>Gendron, a 5'11" junior guard, is one of the more crafty scorers in the state and checks in as one of the top 2028's in Maine. He's capable of playing on or off the ball, scores it at all three levels, and shows a ton of creativity off the bounce as a driver. He should take a jump as a creator and facilitator this winter, while continuing to fill it up as a scorer - one that can go for 20 plus on any given night. He competes defensively and does a nice job of turning deflections and steals into transition offense. It wouldn't be a surprise if his name is at the top of the list for scoring this winter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>#7:</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3710539' first='Jacob' last='Linkletter']</strong> (Madison)</p>
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<p>Linkletter, a 6'3" junior guard, claims a spot at the top of the list one Maine's top perimeter shooters. He has good positional size, does a great job of moving without the basketball, and has a high, quick release on his jumper. He moves well in space, is a good athlete, and has done a nice job of developing his off the bounce game. Not only can he knock down shots in bunches, but he does so at an impressive clip, both off the catch and off the bounce. On the other end, he can guard multiple positions and makes an impact on the glass. Linkletter should be one of the breakout performers across the state this winter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>#6:</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3298346' first='James' last='Witham']</strong> (Mount Desert Island)</p>
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<p>Witham, a 6'0" senior guard, is arguably the state's top creator with the ball in his hands. The <em>Mount Desert Island</em> guard plays with a ton of wiggle off the bounce, elevates to get his shot off over defenders, and has a lot of creativity around the rim as a finisher. He's elite when playing in transition, both as a scorer and creator for others and does a terrific job of generating steals as a point of attack defender. There might not be a better ball-screen handler in the state and he shows an elite feel for decision making in the half-court. Witham should be among the top scorers in Maine this winter and has a chance to lead <em>MDI</em> on a deep playoff run come February.</p>
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Today, we continue with our player rankings for the Maine Principals Association with a look at the back half of the Top 10 - the prospects that we've ranked at #10 through #6.
We started the week with a look at our Honorable Mention selections and will wrap up tomorrow with a look at the Top 5. For now, let's dive into the prospects that cracked into our rankings and are poised for a big year up in Maine! #10: [player_tooltip player_id='3729778' first='Gage' last='Mattson'] (Maranacook) Mattson, a 6'1" sophomore guard, burst onto the scene as a freshman, making an immediate impact for Maranacook. He's a versatile scorer that has the strength to play through contact off the bounce, finishes plays at the rim with some craftiness, and has the ability to create shots in isolations situations. He plays with toughness, can make an impact on or off the ball, and does a nice job of rebounding on both ends of the floor. He's…
