With St. Thomas More v. South Kent and Brewster v. Brighton taking place during the day, I was only able to see the Northfield Mount Hermon/MCI and Winchendon/New Hampton games.
In the nightcap, Winchendon versus New Hampton was the premiere matchup for the day. Winchendon won the teams' first two games in overtime and New Hampton defeated Winchendon in their most recent meeting two weeks ago. The first half saw New Hampton grab an early 20-12 lead behind URI-bound Kyle Cain's inside scoring, with Winchendon coming back to take a 32-30 lead at the half. Eric Ferguson scored 10 points in the first 3:30 of the 2nd half as Winchendon kept a comfortable double digit lead for a majority of the half, until New Hampton cut it to 5 with under 3 minutes to go. Anthony Ireland went to work for the loaded Winchendon squad with key late drives and finishes when the momentum shifted. Winchendon prevailed, 74-66.
- Ferguson and Ireland are two guys this site has been praising all season. Ferguson blew the game open and Ireland closed it.
- Conversely, I've been less than impressed with Markus Kennedy (Villanova commit) and he was huge in the first 10 minutes, making big early baskets when Winchendon wasn't getting anything going. It was the most assertive and aggressive he's been in games I've been to and will need to continue to be going forward. Could have had an even bigger night if not for foul trouble.
- Not a huge night for Khem Birch. He was pulled early by Mike Byrnes after Cain scored on him twice early, but as always, he provided two highlight blocks: one catching Evan Smotrycz from behind on an open layup and a late swat of a Jordan Laguerre layup.
- Smotrycz killed Winchendon in the win at New Hampton, but struggled with his shot tonight. He was outplayed by Ferguson, but clearly has a bright future.
- Not quite the impressive performance of last time out for Laguerre either. Winchendon's big men swallowed him up.
- What makes Winchendon so good? Depth. Kennedy is the only high major senior on the team, but they throw a ton of D1 kids at you, and they all know how to play the game and make huge plays. Tonight's X-factor: 6'7 forward Marvin Dominique who hit HUGE shots in the first half when New Hampton controlled the pace.
- Dartaye Ruffin (Drexel) is great with his back to the basket.
- It's NFL combine season, which had me thinking, if the NEPSAC had a combine Angel Nunez would be a top 10 pick. Long arms, explosive leaper, nice looking stroke. Still a combine talent right now though. Didn't score tonight.
- If Marshon Brooks or Greedy Peterson played with Devon Saddler's (Delaware) energy on both ends of the court we'd be thrilled. Love watching a kid with such energy who gets after it on defense and looks to attack on offense. Tough kid.
- After an impressive shooting night against St. Andrew's at URI, I had my eye on Tyshawn Bell tonight. He's a good shooter with size (a sturdy 6'7), but I'm not sure if he's a fit at PC. He's not great putting the ball on the floor and didn't show great lateral quickness today. A 6'7 shooter is a nice to have, but this team has greater needs right now. Not sure what else he does well.
- URI commit Levan Shengelia taking on Majok Majok didn't materialize due to foul trouble. Shengelia did manage to maintain his streak of altercations to three in three games. I've seen him play three times this season and he got into a shoving match with Ron Giplaye, had words with St. A's Youri Dascy, and picked up a flagrant foul tonight with a forearm shiver. His verticle is almost non-existent, but he is a great passer for a big man and has a great motor. If the athleticism doesn't limit him he'll be a good one for the Rams, and an obvious target for PC fans when he lays out his first Friar.
- Not sure there is much for PC on NMH's roster. Not hearing any buzz with Majok and not enamored with junior point guard Aaron Cosby.
- Hector Harold went on a scoring binge in the 2nd half, but I could have done without the shirt popping and mugging.
The guess here is we'll end up getting the dream Winchendon/Brewster final. Winchendon and Northfield split their two games this season, winning on each other's home court, but I still think Winchendon is the better team.
Winchendon has a lot of bodies to throw at Majok, while a matchup to watch will be the small forwards: Ferguson and Harold.
The depth of Winchendon's frontcourt will be key, while NMH will need good shooting nights from shooters like Laurent Rivard, Harold, and Joe Sharkey (Brown). Rivard, the Harvard commit, was amazing in the win against Winchedon, with 30 points on 11-12 from the field, 7-8 from 3 and 11 rebounds and 5 steals. Rivard followed that up with a 20 point, 4-5 from 3, performance in a 3 point loss to Winchendon a week ago. Should be a good game.
After falling to Bridgton 70-67 a week ago, Brewster rolled in the rematch today, 94-59. When they are on, there is no one better.
In their only meeting against St. Thomas More on January 17, Brewster handed STM their first Class A loss of the season, as Naadir Tharpe led the way with 26 points in a solid defensive effort. PC fans have four good reasons to watch this one: Tharpe, Andre Drummond, Byron Allen, and Trahson Burrell.
How has St. Thomas More fared against the other three finalists? 0-2 against Winchendon and 0-1 against NMH, with an 11 points loss to NMH on 2/23 and a 16 point loss to Winchendon on 2/9. They are the underdog from here on in.
Highlights (albeit from a Brewster perspective) are below.
