Post by nashvillestag on Dec 11, 2023 15:54:58 GMT -5
The CIAC season begins this Thursday with a lot of question marks considering the amount of defections the state has had of talented players to the prep school ranks. Minus previews so far, it's hard to have much in the way of opinions regarding teams and players. But one thing I do know is that Yale commit and someone the Stags tried very hard to acquire, Riley Fox of Conard, will be a strong candidate for the POY (assuming he doesn't get hurt). Also rumor has it that defending state #1 East Catholic is pretty loaded (even though they had at least one important defection) led by Quinnipiac commit Samson Reilly and therefore might be in line to claim top honors again when all is said and done in March. Locally the word is that Notre Dame-Fairfield might be stacked led by Nate Charlot, and the same might be said for Kolbe-Cathedral led by Najimi George. Other than that I don't have much to say. Let the games begin to find out some surprises (which is sure to happen) I guess. Hopefully some real stars identify themselves to kind of fill the void left by those who departed for greener pastures.
Last Edit: Dec 12, 2023 13:42:55 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
I believe this is the first season that the CIAC will be using a shot clock in its games. I looked at the print issue of the New Haven Register today which had a lengthy Gametime CT article on the upcoming boys basketball season. I believe East Catholic, ND-West Haven, Northwest Catholic, and ND-Fairfield were 4 of the preseason top 5 in the state. In their list of players to watch I was stunned to see that 6’4” sophomore Abdou Toure of Notre Dame West Haven already has offers from Rutgers and Yale. If anyone subscribes to CTInsider or Gametime CT, perhaps they could provide a link to the boys basketball preview article.
I believe this is the first season that the CIAC will be using a shot clock in its games. I looked at the print issue of the New Haven Register today which had a lengthy Gametime CT article on the upcoming oys basketball season. I believe East Catholic, ND-West Haven, Northwest Catholic, and ND-Fairfield were 4 of the preseason top 5 in the state. In their list of players to watch I was stunned to see that 6’4” sophomore Abdou Toure of Notre Dame West Haven already has offers from Rutgers and Yale. If anyone subscribes to CTInsider or Gametime CT, perhaps they could provide a link to the boys basketball preview article.
First year for shot clock in the CIAC, correct. Also correct is that Toure, even as a sophomore, is one of the best talents in the state, so Rutgers and Yale getting involved so early doesn't surprise me. Meanwhile the Yale recruit who as a senior and already committed to the Bulldogs, Riley Fox of Conard, threw in (unofficially as counted by my friend) 39 points in his season debut tonight against Farmington, albeit in a losing cause. Farmington is solid, and BTW they also appear to have a very good sophomore and someone to watch who's last name is Hawkins (can't remember his first name at the moment). Anyway it's good to identify new talent early in order to create interest for the games to come.
Last Edit: Dec 15, 2023 0:11:51 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
I believe this is the first season that the CIAC will be using a shot clock in its games. I looked at the print issue of the New Haven Register today which had a lengthy Gametime CT article on the upcoming oys basketball season. I believe East Catholic, ND-West Haven, Northwest Catholic, and ND-Fairfield were 4 of the preseason top 5 in the state. In their list of players to watch I was stunned to see that 6’4” sophomore Abdou Toure of Notre Dame West Haven already has offers from Rutgers and Yale. If anyone subscribes to CTInsider or Gametime CT, perhaps they could provide a link to the boys basketball preview article.
First year for shot clock in the CIAC, correct. Also correct is that Toure, even as a sophomore, is one of the best talents in the state, so Rutgers and Yale getting involved so early doesn't surprise me. Meanwhile the Yale recruit who as a senior and already committed to the Bulldogs, Riley Fox of Conard, threw in (unofficially as counted by my friend) 39 points in his season debut tonight against Farmington, albeit in a losing cause. Farmington is solid, and BTW they also appear to have a very good sophomore and someone to watch who's last name is Hawkins (can't remember his first name at the moment). Anyway it's good to identify new talent early in order to create interest for the games to come.
First viewing of Toure this past weekend in a blowout victory over Holy Cross of Waterbury certainly cements my feeling that the hype about him is justified. I wouldn't be surprised if he was named all-state first team in March even as a sophomore. He indeed has to be, especially given the defection of former CIAC players to the preps, one of the very top players on the scene this year.
Last Edit: Dec 26, 2023 9:39:09 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Does Toure’s game remind you of any former Connecticut basketball player’s?
Max Edwards who played for Pat Yerina for a couple of years at Bunnell (and one year after with a different coach) and then transferred to a school in the Bronx to complete his scholastic career is the person that comes to mind. Very athletic, just like Toure, and at about the same height of approximately 6'5, Max was recruited to Kansas State but got injured his freshman year and then transferred to George Washington when the K-State coach got fired. In his second year in DC he is having an outstanding season by averaging almost 14 PPG after being over 10 a game during his first year playing college ball. You asked for style and not necessarily a statement that this kid will have the same career. But to be honest I think he might because he is certainly talented. But since he is righty and Edwards is lefty I guess you could say that if Abdou Toure does indeed do well, you could say he became the right handed Max Edwards in comparing two players growing up around the same area and succeeding on the basketball court.
In addition to the shot clock being new to CIAC games this year, there's a new rule in place for both boys and girls games where any player who is assessed a technical foul must automatically be taken out of the game for at least one second. It's nicknamed the Sit a Tick rule. The player who received the technical can re-enter the game on the next dead ball stoppage. The coach has 15 seconds to decide who to sub in for the player who must depart the game. I learned of the new rule in the hard copy edition of today's New Haven Register. The article stated the rule is designed to help promote sportsmanship and hopefully de-escalate situations which might expand into brawls. The coaches that were asked their opinion of this rule generally stated they had typically taken the player who was assessed the technical out of the game anyway to let the player cool down and re-focus on the game; so they were fine with the rule change.
Unless I missed something in the article, depending on the value of the player who was given the technical and the particular game situation -- I think the coach could wait one second after the player was given the technical, call timeout and then re-insert the player back into the game.
In addition to the shot clock being new to CIAC games this year, there's a new rule in place for both boys and girls games where any player who is assessed a technical foul must automatically be taken out of the game for at least one second. It's nicknamed the Sit a Tick rule. The player who received the technical can re-enter the game on the next dead ball stoppage. The coach has 15 seconds to decide who to sub in for the player who must depart the game. I learned of the new rule in the hard copy edition of today's New Haven Register. The article stated the rule is designed to help promote sportsmanship and hopefully de-escalate situations which might expand into brawls. The coaches that were asked their opinion of this rule generally stated they had typically taken the player who was assessed the technical out of the game anyway to let the player cool down and re-focus on the game; so they were fine with the rule change.
Unless I missed something in the article, depending on the value of the player who was given the technical and the particular game situation -- I think the coach could wait one second after the player was given the technical, call timeout and then re-insert the player back into the game.
Let's say Red #15 commits a technical foul. I assume that White will shoot a free throw(s) because of the "T" and then White would inbound the ball. Red can't call timeout if White has the ball.
It appears that Red has to wait until the ball becomes dead again. That is unlikely to happen in one second, unless White inbounds the ball, and then quickly turns it over. Red #15 is likely to have to sit until the ball becomes dead, or Red regains possession and then calls timeout.
Last Edit: Dec 28, 2023 13:41:30 GMT -5 by vastagman
Post by nashvillestag on Jan 4, 2024 10:10:51 GMT -5
Although his size, generously listed at 5-9 on a roster I saw (he's shorter than that I think), will probably hold him back from being a big-time D-1 recruit, I have to say that after viewing Norwalk Senior PG Jaylen Brown (NOT the Celtic's JB) in person this year, I believe he is one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the area if not the state as the season starts to play itself out. Having scored 44 points last week against Brien McMahon as a reference point for deciding to go watch him play, last night he scored 27 points along with 5 assists in just approximately 20 minutes of action, albeit against a very weak opponent in Bullard Havens (hence the reason for him not being in the entire game). The kid is a jet and probably is as fast as anybody around in going from one end of the court to the other. And he can shoot the long ball as well as the medium range shot. But he also gets to the rim very easily too. And he is also a very good passer who doesn't hog the ball (as the assist total should indicate). Anyway as a senior I'm curious if even with his small build as a foundation, any D-1 schools will be on his radar. Maybe prep school for one year and a little growth would help. But Jaylen certainly is a godsend around these parts given the lack of strong talent in the area. Certainly worth investing 5 bucks or so to go watch him play if anyone is interested.
Last Edit: Jan 4, 2024 13:07:25 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Post by nashvillestag on Jan 16, 2024 1:01:52 GMT -5
Another young stud identified on the state scene is listed freshman (although I've been told might be a sophomore) St. Bernard 6-6 forward Curtis Marshall who is extremely talented in many ways including shooting, ball handling and rebounding for such a young kid. I only bring his name up after watching him because I feel he has the potential to be a Stag level recruit in a couple of years. But because of him and some good teammates I think SB has a real chance to challenge for a CIAC (D-1) championship in March.
Last Edit: Jan 16, 2024 1:22:27 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Although his size, generously listed at 5-9 on a roster I saw (he's shorter than that I think), will probably hold him back from being a big-time D-1 recruit, I have to say that after viewing Norwalk Senior PG Jaylen Brown (NOT the Celtic's JB) in person this year, I believe he is one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the area if not the state as the season starts to play itself out. Having scored 44 points last week against Brien McMahon as a reference point for deciding to go watch him play, last night he scored 27 points along with 5 assists in just approximately 20 minutes of action, albeit against a very weak opponent in Bullard Havens (hence the reason for him not being in the entire game). The kid is a jet and probably is as fast as anybody around in going from one end of the court to the other. And he can shoot the long ball as well as the medium range shot. But he also gets to the rim very easily too. And he is also a very good passer who doesn't hog the ball (as the assist total should indicate). Anyway as a senior I'm curious if even with his small build as a foundation, any D-1 schools will be on his radar. Maybe prep school for one year and a little growth would help. But Jaylen certainly is a godsend around these parts given the lack of strong talent in the area. Certainly worth investing 5 bucks or so to go watch him play if anyone is interested.
The 5 bucks were certainly worth it tonight at Staples as Brown scored 50 points including the 3-pointer at the buzzer that sent the game into overtime as Norwalk was able to come back from a large deficit and defeat the host Wreckers. He's starting to get quite a reputation among the followers of the local scene now, and I believe this production tonight gets his average up to around 30 PPG for the year if the unofficial info I have been told is correct.
He ain't no Murphy (no one has ever been in the history of Connecticut HS basketball), but that doesn't diminish what he has been doing lately for the school the great Calvin used to play for. Actually although I commented on what I saw last night, I was unaware of the 54 he had against Greenwich recently. Thanks for the info 76.
Post by reindeerfan on Jan 19, 2024 13:21:03 GMT -5
Well, Niagara's 5'9" Ahmad Henderson would be a starter on a lot of D1 teams. He was a very solid player, very quick. Having seen Troy Bradford, Justin Robinson and Keydren Clark play (all 5'10 or smaller) I would not be afraid to take a chance on a small player of this caliber. I, however, don't know if this kid is that kind of a player, I have never seen him play. Would be interesting Nash, to hear if you think his skills and abilities could translate to D1.
Well, Niagara's 5'9" Ahmad Henderson would be a starter on a lot of D1 teams. He was a very solid player, very quick. Having seen Troy Bradford, Justin Robinson and Keydren Clark play (all 5'10 or smaller) I would not be afraid to take a chance on a small player of this caliber. I, however, don't know if this kid is that kind of a player, I have never seen him play. Would be interesting Nash, to hear if you think his skills and abilities could translate to D1.
Well first of all let's not forget someone who was smaller than all of the above who was certainly an asset for the Stags back in the early aughts playing for Tim O'Toole in Tyquan Goode. Quite a few others on the national scene too when you add them up. For instance Mugsey Bogues of Wake Forest comes to mind, a player who not only shined in college but also had a good NBA career after that. So while many more of this stature fail rather than succeed, the fact is there is a place for the little guy with the right make-up to make it if that guy has the right opportunity. Now to Jalen Brown specifically, a few things should be known. Number one his listed height of 5-9 is quite generous (he is closer to 5-6 IMO plus he is slight of build (unlike say Tyquan in the past). Number two, the competition that I have watched him play against is not especially talented when it comes to competing against future players who will play D-1 ball in college (although there are some just below that level). That said, I'm sure Jalen has left a mark one way or the other in the AAU circuit where he has competed against an upgrade in talent, therefore he has been judged by D-1 programs before. The third thing, and I guess you could slightly categorize these three points as somewhat of a negative, but based upon the defense Norwalk normally plays which tends to be a 1-3-1 zone most of the time, I really can't say how he would do as a defensive player at the next level. And that's VERY important in how he would be evaluated. But now that the (possible) negatives are out of the way, here is what I have observed now in watching him four times in the last month that tells me he might very well be able to overcome the odds and be a decent or better D-1 performer. He is FAST with the ball but also knows when to vary speeds to get angles to either create his shot or make plays for others. He is a very good shooter who can produce from all three levels on the court (arc, mid-range and at the rim which he seemingly can get to quite often despite his small stature). He is money at the foul line as proven in the OT against Staples when he made 6 in a row (or was it 8) under pressure. And he is also appears to step up his game when most needed as proven not only last week when he scored about 20 points in the second half in a comeback win over Wilton, but obviously also last evening when he had something like 26 in the second half, and that isn't even counting the 8 or 10 he had in overtime nor does it include the ridiculous three-pointer he made over three players as time ran out to tie the contest in regulation. Point is, at least in the small sample that I have seen of him, Jalen has the "it" factor and the proper makeup for someone who is a marked man by the opposition. I could go on and on about him because this subject is fun for me, but I do have to say that although my answer to your question is "yes I think he could make it," a couple of high school coaches I know place him at a different level in the future. That said I'll leave you with one thought as a comparison to what he could become. Remember our Stags in 2014-15 and who got beat out for MAAC ROY. That would be Tyler Nelson, and the guy that beat him out was another real small guy who many experts didn't think that highly of, and that was Shad Casimir of Trinity Catholic who made it right away at Iona (before transferring) thereby proving a lot of critics wrong. So I am taking the position that Jalen Brown could end up in that same direction, although to be fair, a year of post-grad prep school action would be a good thing for him first.
