NERR Hoop Festival: Impressive Upperclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, I attended the NERR Hoop Festival at Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA. I took in action from all three high school divisions and saw tons of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are seven upperclassmen who really impressed me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Giacobbe LaCedra","_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":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greater Lowell Tech High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"NE Storm","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad95044"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lacedra was a productive, do-it-all wing for NE Storm all weekend. The 6-foot-3 junior hit shots from the outside, made some nice dribble moves to get into the teeth of the defense, and used his length and touch to finish with both hands in the paint on a number of plays. Defensively, he guarded all positions and impressed with his defensive rebounding, motor and toughness. I would expect Lacedra to be a meaningful player for Greater Lowell Tech this coming season, and he could be a nice prep candidate for some local schools looking for a versatile wing, especially if he's still growing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878816"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad9508a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Biggs really impressed me this weekend with his general feel and poise on the court. The 6-foot-3 wing showcased a well-rounded offensive game and made high-level decisions all day on Saturday. He effortlessly got into the paint with his strength and handle, he finished effectively with both hands, and he comfortably got to two feet and kicked out to teammates when the defense collapsed. Biggs also rebounded the ball better than virtually any wing I saw all weekend—he attacks the ball and goes after it with ferocity. He should be a great player for a Bunnell High School team that should compete for a CT state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2964850"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad950af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burnett was one of the best athletes I saw all weekend. The 6-foot-4 wing had a number of super impressive dunks over the defense, some of which even came in the half court with a number of defenders in the paint. In transition, the lefty showcased great explosiveness and speed but was able to slow down his body to finish. Burnett also showcased some mid-range shooting ability that looks like it could improve majorly over the next couple years. Burnett will be on a talented Notre Dame Prep roster this season but should be able to make his way onto the court with his athleticism and motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2711267"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad950cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Flemming continues to wow me with his willingness to change his game and become a true point guard. While playing for Middlesex Magic this weekend, the 5-foot-9 guard got into the paint at will with his quickness off the bounce and then made excellent decision after excellent decision in terms of finding cutters and shooters for on-time, on-target feeds. Flemming is going to play a ton for Beaver this season and be quite productive in their system if he can continue to lean into his playmaking ability and use the talent he has around him while still picking his spots to isolate and score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569687"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad950ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carlson exhibited a well-rounded scoring arsenal this weekend and looked as confident as I've seen him in awhile. The 6-foot guard comfortably stepped into his shots from the perimeter and made them at a high clip, but he also showed lots of athleticism and touch on a good number of plays in the paint—he has excellent footwork and uses slow steps and step-throughs very effectively. With some of the guys who Thayer has lost over the past year, I would expect Carlson to handle a huge offensive load and put up really solid numbers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2965967"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad95109"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jenkins played in some new threads this weekend and looked awesome. The 5-foot-10 BABC National product showcased great change-of-speed and change-of-direction ability, especially when attacking defenders downhill in transition. He finished a number of nice takes to the rim, he made some shots from three, and he impressed me most with his willingness and ability to make some really nice reads to his teammates. Defensively, Jenkins was also a significant playmaker for his squad—he has quick hands and great instincts on that end.</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":"Kyle Gomes","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Boston College High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"BABC National","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3faad95149"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This weekend was my first time seeing Gomes play, and I was floored by his ability to make plays on the defensive end. The 5-foot-10 guard probably had 5 steals in the span of about 10 minutes and did so in a number of ways, both on and off the ball. Offensively, the junior made a number of threes (both off the dribble and off the catch) and made a number of really good feeds to teammates as well. Gomes should be a key player on BC High this season and then could reclass to 2029 after that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->