New England School Team Preview: CATS Academy (MA)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the spring and summer AAU season coming to a close, sooner rather than later the 2024-25 high school basketball season will be just around the corner as we quickly approach the fall. Schools and coaches will prepare their student-athletes for the fun and competitive season ahead all over the six states in the New England area. In this School Team Preview series, I hope to highlight individual teams in the region and give insights on which players I expect to make an impact in the upcoming season. Let's get started!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Team</em></strong>: CATS Academy (MA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach</em></strong>: Cary Herer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023-24 Season Record</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The Big Dogs on Campus</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are three players I expect to make a major impact on CATS. Leading the squad will be senior forward and Providence commit [player_tooltip player_id='1529071' first='Jaylen' last='Harrell']. Long and strongly built, his offensive creation ability will be hard to stop with a smooth high-release jump shot and great touch around the basket as he looks to carry the scoring load for his team. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2487641' first='Desmond' last='Bellot'] looks to be one of the primary ball handlers who can also score in a variety of ways. With a slippery quick dribble, he can get to his spots in the mid-range, at the rim, or behind the three-point line while also defending the court ninety-four feet. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2341352' first='Jaxson' last='Terry'] and his tough-minded game will bring a different look to the floor in the half-court. He can finish through traffic at the cup and hit fadeaways middies in the post while providing a rebounding presence and showing off his improving outside stroke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Additional Difference Makers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six other players should be very important for CATS this upcoming year on a loaded and deep team. Senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2396742' first='Julien' last='Kabori'] plays with finesse and provides versatility on both sides of the court. With a surprisingly sweet handle, competent off-the-catch deep ball, good defensive footwork, and roll-man gravity, he will be an annoying piece for opposing teams to deal with. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2341343' first='Nelson' last='Mboudjika'] brings great mobility at his size and can run the floor superbly. With the combination of emphatic blocking, hungry rebounding, and a high motor, he will be valuable in tougher-fought games where his spark is much appreciated. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2396726' first='Jaylin' last='Williams-Crawford'] and his three-and-D capability should fulfill a key role for CATS. The attributes of length, off-ball shooting, and twitchy athleticism should all be needed next season for the team. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2407060' first='Stephen' last='Antwi'] is a high-upside athlete from Ghana who has improved a lot in a short time. He brings defensive energy, aggressive rim finishing, and floor stretching ability. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2465122' first='Dante' last='Jeremic'] is a cold-blooded scorer who naturally knows how to get to his spots for easy looks. With a picturesque form and the ability to take on contact, his offensive juice can play perfectly off the bench in ball-handling opportunities. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2570758' first='Mabor' last='Riak'] from Australia is another developing talent that is starting to polish. A terrific off-ball cutter, he plays his role well and should add value as a driver in the half-court and running the break in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassmen To Keep an Eye On</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a group of three underclassmen, in particular, to watch next season for CATS. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2470840' first='Josiah' last='Adamson'] is a high-flying talent who plays with his burners on at all times. In addition to his jaw-dropping dunks, he combines that with a pull-up shot-making ability that should make waves even in a more limited role. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2470876' first='Salim' last='Diaby'] is in the early stages of development but should impact the game right away with his defense. He can protect the rim inside with good timing on his block attempts while also moving well on the perimeter in space. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2470929' first='Filip' last='Mozoul'] will also help Diaby in the paint with defensive tools of his own. He can guard multiple positions and protect the basket with mature instincts while also providing offense in the dunker's spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->