2017 D1 & D2 Boys Basketball Tournament Players to Watch - Central Mass.

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017

Connor Peterson '18 - Franklin

We are underway in the 2016-2017 MIAA Boys state basketball tournament, with action starting fast and furious this week across the state.

Mass Prep Stars continues to remains focused on the student-athletes, as we continue to highlight some of the top Mass Prep Star prospects to watch throughout the Division 1 and 2 state tournament.

After already highlighting D1 and D2 in Eastren Mass. we now focus on Central Mass. D1 and D2.

Please continue to recommend and keep and eye out for our annual Mass Prep Stars post-season honors, rankings, watch lists, and commitment  updates throughout the post-season and off-season.

 

 

 

CENTRAL MASS

 

DIVISION 1 CENTRAL

SEEDS: 1. Franklin (18-2); 2. St. John’s Shrewsbury (17-3); 3. Holy Name (16-4); 4. St. Peter Marian (14-6); 5. Algonquin (14-6); 6. Wachusett (13-7); 7. Doherty (13-7); 8. Natick (13-7); 9. Acton-Boxboro (12-10); 10. Worcester North (10-10); 11. Framingham (10-10).

 

Connor Peterson ’18 F Franklin – Peterson presents numerous difficult match-up problems for opponents, as he is athletic, he can score in the post to compliment his ability to get to the rim. Peterson has really come on over the course of the season to give Franklin a consistent scoring leader night in and night out.

Chris Edgehill ’20 G Franklin and Jalen Samuels ’19 G Franklin provide youthful athleticism, quickness and explosiveness for Franklin and the duo has improved and gained valuable experience over the course of the year. Franklin also comes at you with veterans Josh Macchi and Paul Mahon, giving them a deep and talented squad.

Alex Bradley ‘17 G St. John’s Shrewsbury – Bradley is deadly from the perimeter and he has been the vital offensive cog for St. John's Shrewsbury this season. Combined with junior guard Tyler Mola, St. John’s Shrewsbury has arguably the top back-court in Central Massachusetts.

Sean Burke ’18 F St. John’s Shrewsbury – Burke is the post player who compliments St. John’s Shrewsbury’s potent back-court. Burke is arguably playing the best basketball of his season, averaging 20 points per game over his past three games. ,

Devandre Edmonds ’18 C Holy Name – Holy Name's top inside scorer Edwards leads a balanced group of Naps, who have won 9 of their last 10 games heading in to tournament play. If Bobby Trottier is on, he can be a big scorer for Holy Name, who are also paced by the exceptionally quick leader Dhalyn Sanders-Dyer at the point guard position.

Bobby Letourneau '19 G St. Peter Marian - St. Peter Marian is possibly the most balanced team in the bracket, as the sharp-shooting Letourneau leads a group of talented scoring guards, which includes Juan Zorilla (40 points in a win over Quabbin this year), Shamar Simms, and Jeff Sullivan.

Kyle Henderson '18 G Algonquin - Henderson led Gonk in scoring this season (20 ppg) and had one of the games of the year in Central Mass., scoring 38 points on 5 3-pointers in a recent win over Fitchburg, Henderson also exploded for 32 points against Westboro the week before that effort.

Erik Bjorn ’17 C Wachusett – The 6-foot-5 Bjorn is coming off one of his best performances of the year in a convincing opening round win over Framingham. The senior scored 17 points and established himself on the block in the victory. Look for sophomore guard Sam Dion to have a major impact for Wachusett before all is said and done.

Luke Rogers ’17 C Acton-Boxboro – The Tufts University bound center is a true post threat and at 6-foot-10 he has the ability to own the paint and disrupt the offensive flow of teams. Rogers is the type of star you want to have come alive during tournament time, as his work on both ends of the floor can be incredibly difficult to match up with.

 

DIVISION 2 CENTRAL

SEEDS: 1. Nashoba (17-3); 2. Groton-Dunstable (17-3); 3. Medway (16-4); 4. Concord-Carlisle (15-5); 5. Holliston (15-5); 6. Medfield (13-7); 7. Westboro (13-7); 8. Marlboro (12-8); 9. Milford (10-10)

 

Justin Peirce ’18 G Nashoba and Andrew Fish ’17 G Nashoba – Pierce and Fish lead a balanced Nashoba scoring attack, as they look to lead and represent the No. 1 seed Chieftains in the D2 Central sectional. Steady lead guard Nate Mansour and fellow scoring options Trevor Manyak and Connor Ojerholm are also capable of leading Nashoba on any given night.

Gavin Keough ’17 F Groton-Dunstable - A true stretch 4-man, who likes to do his damage facing the basket, The Mid-Wach B MVP can stretch a defense and can also mix it up under the glass if needed. The versatile Keough is also deceptively quick off the dribble and uses his body exceptionally well.

Tyler LeClerc ’17 G Groton-Dunstable – LeClerc is a tough, rugged guard who can extend the defense and also push the pace for F-D. He is a strong defender and he teams with back court mate Ethan Cook to form a dangerous duo in D2 Central.

Andrew Tiernan ’17 G Medway – Tiernan led the scoring barrage that helped Medway earn a share of the Tri Valley League title this season. The senior guard is looking to continue his hot play well in to the tournament, as he teams with junior Liam Regan to provide Medway with two scoring options and two players who are hungry to avenge their regular season finale loss to Milford.

Spencer Patenaude ’17 G/F Concord-Carlisle – The DCL Small Co-MVP recently scored his 1,000th point for C-C and is averaging 22 points a game this season for teh Patriots. The 6-foot-3 Patenaude has also improved his work on the glass this season for Concord-Carlisle, posting numerous double doubles on the season.

David Poor ’17 C Concord-Carlisle – Poor is a classic post player, who is has stepped up for the Patriots this year by averaging a double-double.  Poor combines a nice back-to-the-basket game with an impressive face up game and gives C-C a true inside threat. C-C also has deadeye lefty shooter John Mulligan, who has proven the ability to stretch defenses from the perimeter all season.

Spencer Aronson ’19 G Holliston – The sophomore guard combines high-level athleticism with the ability to stretch a defense from the perimeter. Aronson is impressive in Holliston’s transition game and compliments the play of junior guards Andrew Lynch and Dylan Kasarjian.

Michael Doherty '19 G Westboro - Another sophomore sensation Doherty is a tough two-way guard who led Westboro in scoring and a finals appearance at the Clark tournament. Teaming with brother twin brother Matt Doherty and senior leader AJ Nowak, Westboro is a dangerous team this time of year.


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