Stand-Out Big Men: Merrimack Valley Conference
The Merrimack Valley Conference (MVC) opened up their season last night with three entertaining games. This year should provide us with exciting interior player matchups with the number of skilled big men that make up the conference. These are some…
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Continue ReadingThe Merrimack Valley Conference (MVC) opened up their season last night with three entertaining games. This year should provide us with exciting interior player matchups with the number of skilled big men that make up the conference. These are some of the stand-out post players from opening night.
Aiden Cammann – Andover High – 6’9 – Jr.
The junior forward is one of the best players in the MVC. He is a terrific athlete and showcased that by catching a one-handed alley-oop on the opening possession. A relentless rebounder, Cammann had his way on the glass, especially on the offensive end against the smaller Central Catholic High frontcourt. In the post, he has multiple go-to moves. Whether he backs you down to the basket or faces up utilizing jab steps and spin moves, Cammann is automatic from anywhere inside 10 feet. Andover played an aggressive 2-3 zone in their win against Central Catholic, and one would assume because of Cammann’s 6’9 frame, he’d defend the middle, but he played the corner. The perfect role for the versatile big man because he can get out to shooters and contest shots effectively. The MVC all-star played a little point-forward down the stretch, too. He brought the ball up and initiated the offense, and had three critical assists at the end to close out the game.
Logan Satlow – Andover High – 6’6 – Jr.
The other half of Andover’s “Twin Towers,” Satlow is a promising junior with a very high ceiling. At 225 Ibs, the rising big man is the muscle in the middle but can also provide some perimeter shooting if left open. He took over the game offensively in the 4th quarter with 9 points and played an excellent two-man game with Aiden Cammann. Taking full advantage of his size mismatch, Satlow punished Central Catholic with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The majority of the time, Cammann will draw many double teams and gadget defensive sets, so this should open up the floor for Satlow, who has all-star potential.
George Turkson – Lowell High – 6’6 – So.
The Lowell sophomore is one of the most intimidating presences in the MVC. He is 6’6, but his wingspan is enormous. He is an incredibly conditioned athlete and has a great motor, proven by his rim running every time in transition. Not the most polished player on offense but with experience and development, he can become a good scorer. He showed confidence in his jump shot by attempting a three, and if he can add that to his game, he will be an exceptional player. His value is mostly on the defensive side of the ball, though. In a conference with numerous skilled big men, it is crucial to have someone who can defend them one-on-one. Turkson is more than capable of doing that. In Lowell’s 22-point win against Haverhill, Turkson forced the opposition to shoot out of rhythm three-pointers because they were too afraid to drive to the hoop in fear of getting blocked. When ball-handlers would attempt to penetrate the lane, Turkson’s shot altering ability forced wild layups.
Junior Efosa – Haverhill High – 6’3′ – Sr.
Do not let Efosa’s size fool you; he is a player who can jump out of the gym with the best of them. The Haverhill Hillies rely on the senior to dominate the paint and the boards with MVC all-star forward Jeremyah Phillips sitting out the season. Efosa’s aggressiveness is what sticks out the most. Undersized, but not afraid to be physical inside and make his presence felt. He was the lone Hillie to attack George Turkson and out-muscled him on several occasions when fighting for rebounds. He has double-double potential because he is so efficient around the rim and snatches boards effortlessly.
Andrew Lussier – Methuen High – 6’2 – Sr
Lussier is another undersized big man who plays like he’s a giant. The senior is crafty but not necessarily a volume scorer. He is a very patient offensive player who does not want to force anything. His strength pops out mostly as he is a handful down low. Last night against Dracut, he shot 7 free-throw attempts in the first half! Lussier is fundamentally sound and is always in the right spots on defense. It is refreshing to see players in the correct position for weak-side help, especially the big men, because they are the last line of defense. It shows me that Lussier recognizes he can not rely on his size or physical gifts to bail him out of mental errors on defense, so he prides himself in being in the right spot to help his team.