New Hampshire: Mascoma Valley vs. Lebanon Slate Standout Players
Basketball is finally starting in the Northeast, and the scene has been booming. New Hampshire, while having fewer schools than other states, still has a season to execute and a state championship to vie for. Today, two teams, the Lebanon…
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Continue ReadingBasketball is finally starting in the Northeast, and the scene has been booming. New Hampshire, while having fewer schools than other states, still has a season to execute and a state championship to vie for. Today, two teams, the Lebanon Raiders and Mascoma Valley Royals face off in a two-game Junior Varsity-Varsity slate. Here, we take a look at some of the best from that slate.
Junior Varsity
Travis Steward | Freshman | Mascoma Valley
Steward clearly demonstrated his paint game. He is able to command the post on offense, taking the ball from an entry pass and applying some textbook post-up moves to get a clean look at the basket. Him being a freshman means he has loads of time to develop, and some speed can allow him to have versatility in the higher levels.
James Thomas | Freshman | Mascoma Valley
In the JV game, Mascoma Valley thrashed Lebanon in what was a game with a lot of emphasis on shooting. That shooting could not have been possible without James Thomas. As a freshman, it would take time to muster enough confidence to shoot at will. Thomas was brimming with confidence, shooting whenever he had the open look, which would lead his team to victory.
Varsity
Braeden Falzarano | Junior | Lebanon
Personally, Braeden Falzarano was truly captivating with his gut plays today. Falzarano was exceptional on defense, whether it was off-ball and flat out denying the pass, or his on-ball pressure which definitely produced turnovers. He was always seeking for the fastbreak, and he made dazzling plays with some Tom Brady throws to catalyze the fastbreak.
Ben Seiler | Junior | Mascoma Valley
When the ball is in Seiler’s hands, Seiler can really succeed. Seiler is an offensive floor general, dictating the pace of the game with his handling. He could push the pace on a fastbreak and force the ball down the defense’s throats, or he can take it slow and execute carefully planned plays. He can choose to drive to the rim at will, and he can take put pressure down the middle of the floor, freeing up everywhere else along the perimeter.
Jackson Stone | Junior | Lebanon
Jackson Stone has been the prototypical offensive player. Yes, he can drive and he can do the fastbreak, spot the open man, and set up his offense with plays for success. However, he has a knack for going above and beyond. He attempts those risky passes, where, if successful, are highly beneficial for him and his team, and is not afraid to shoot in traffic or take contact when finishing, plays that can easily fire up a team.
Cooper Peavey | Senior | Mascoma Valley
Cooper Peavey is listed as a forward, but not because of his size. Peavey is relatively undersized compared to the stock New Hampshire forward. However, Peavey is able to make up for this with hustle and grit. He was seen diving for balls and making effort defensive plays. Being a smaller forward has not kept Peavey away from the post, as he clearly has the strength to battle against larger forwards.
Ian Moulton | Junior | Mascoma Valley
Ian Moulton truly has held down the fort today for Mascoma Valley. Moulton was excellent on defense. He not only got in player’s faces and disputed their paint attacks, but even absorbed contact and was able to put his body in front of finishers. On offense, power was his game. He used sheer strength to back his way down into the low post where he could get easy buckets for his team.