Post by nashvillestag on Apr 10, 2024 23:48:27 GMT -5
Najimi George, All State player from Kolbe-Cathedral has committed to D-2 UNH (New Haven). Extremely gifted athletically yet not a particularly good shooter, this is probably a proper level for him to compete in during his first year in college. However if he improves his weakness with hard work, I could see him moving up in class in a year or so. Anyway he should have a big impact with that program I would think.
The CIAC tournament gets underway this week with FIVE different divisions (too many IMO) with the championship game in all 5 set to be played in two weeks at the Mohegan Sun. One thing I would say about the biggest school division (1) is that unlike recent previous years there are actually a few teams and not just one or two that could end up as champions when all is said and done. So I will say I have picked out 6 who could be there in the end including Notre Dame-West Haven, ND-Fairfield and East Catholic on one side of the bracket, and NW Catholic, Kolbe Cathedral and St. Bernard on the other side. My guess is whoever wins between the two ND squads before the finals would take out the other side which IMO will be Kolbe. And I would say that NDWH led by the best player in the state, sophomore Abdou Toure, will prevail.
Now concerning the next level down (D-2), quite frankly if Windsor doesn't end up winning I'd be surprised. They really should be in the top division but somehow politics got in the way of that happening. But since they have defeated one of the heavyweights from D-1 twice recently in East Catholic including in the CCC championship two days ago, they really are about as good as any other school in the state at this time. Maybe a couple of sleepers could be Hand of Madison and even our local school in Trumbull who just won the FCIAC title this past Thursday.
Finally, and I don't really have much knowledge of some of the bottom three division schools, but I think it's D-4 which has Cromwell coached by former Villanova great John Pinone who features a senior 6-4 guard named Victor Payne who has been putting up huge numbers for his team all season including 43 in a game I saw him play. But what should be a bit interesting to us Stag fans is I think we may have some interest in him. So with that in mind I hope he and his team do well and make a run to the title.
The CIAC tournament gets underway this week with FIVE different divisions (too many IMO) with the championship game in all 5 set to be played in two weeks at the Mohegan Sun. One thing I would say about the biggest school division (1) is that unlike recent previous years there are actually a few teams and not just one or two that could end up as champions when all is said and done. So I will say I have picked out 6 who could be there in the end including Notre Dame-West Haven, ND-Fairfield and East Catholic on one side of the bracket, and NW Catholic, Kolbe Cathedral and St. Bernard on the other side. My guess is whoever wins between the two ND squads before the finals would take out the other side which IMO will be Kolbe. And I would say that NDWH led by the best player in the state, sophomore Abdou Toure, will prevail.
Now concerning the next level down (D-2), quite frankly if Windsor doesn't end up winning I'd be surprised. They really should be in the top division but somehow politics got in the way of that happening. But since they have defeated one of the heavyweights from D-1 twice recently in East Catholic including in the CCC championship two days ago, they really are about as good as any other school in the state at this time. Maybe a couple of sleepers could be Hand of Madison and even our local school in Trumbull who just won the FCIAC title this past Thursday.
Finally, and I don't really have much knowledge of some of the bottom three division schools, but I think it's D-4 which has Cromwell coached by former Villanova great John Pinone who features a senior 6-4 guard named Victor Payne who has been putting up huge numbers for his team all season including 43 in a game I saw him play. But what should be a bit interesting to us Stag fans is I think we may have some interest in him. So with that in mind I hope he and his team do well and make a run to the title.
Payne gets a D1 scholarship to St. Francis.
Thanks for the info 76. Regarding him going to St. Francis, certainly he has talent and might become a player for that NEC team. However concerning the Stags, and BTW I never actually heard how serious they were about him, I think at this point with the team now devoid of all but I guess one scholarship guard for next year in Matt Curtis, the emphasis going forward will most likely be concentrated almost entirely on the transfer portal in order to bring in experienced, ready to play talent. BTW in that regard I heard we had a portal recruit in town a few days ago. Maybe the kid from Loyola Deon Perry who was expected to visit, I don't know. But anyway a CIAC player has found a D-1 home, and as a fan of the sport on a state level I am happy about that and wish Victor Payne well.
Last Edit: Apr 16, 2024 12:16:53 GMT -5 by nashvillestag