Boston Soldiers Basketball
Boston Soldiers – Going into the decisive game in their pool against Team Jersey Elite, few people gave them much of a chance. But thanks to a balanced effort, the Soldiers not only earned the 12 point victory, but they never trailed throughout the 32 minutes of action. The backcourt duo of Anthony Weeks (20 points) and Matt Gibson (8 points, 10 assists) played some of their best basketball of the young AAU season. Meanwhile they had good depth and production in the frontcourt with Peterson Bernard (12 points), Andrew McCarthy (11 points), and James Marcellus (10 points).
Matt Gibson and Danquah Rawlins, Boston Soldiers: While James Marcellus generated the most attention from division I coaches, it was Gibson and Rawlins who were the team’s most consistent performers throughout the weekend and consequently sparked interest from division II coaches. Gibson didn’t have more than a couple of turnovers throughout the entire weekend as he continues to do a terrific job controlling the pace of the game. Meanwhile, Rawlins provides his team with a constant boost of energy as he gets to the rim and is also their best on-the-ball defender.
Cliff Celestin (6'0" Jr. PG, Marion (MA) Tabor Academy) The floor leader for the Boston Soldiers was unspectacular but effective in the day's final game.
James Marcellus, 6’8”, PF, Bridgton Academy: We will be very surprised if he comes out of this open period without a scholarship offer. He’s a terrific rebounder who can score on the low post by facing up and showing a pretty quick first step. He’s running with the Boston Soldiers this week and next.
Top Prospects
Unsigned seniors (class of 2008): Zach Dugas; Tucker Esborn; Eric Callo; Sam Markle; Brian Fitzpatrick; Josh Paulino; Aaron Strothers; Russell Rosenband; Peterson Bernard; Romeo Diaz; Uche Egesionu; Brendan Monteiro; John Hegarty; Anthony Weeks; Andrew Yanulis; Simon McCormack; Tim McKinney; Oliver Hunter; Adalberto Bueno; Jerell Gomes; Carl Mangum; Nikko Acosta; and James Marcellus
Class of 2009: Scott Anderson; Ray Bowen; Preye Boyle; Austin Carroll; Kyle Casey; Ben Crenca; Youri Dascy; Tony Dolphin; Matt Gibson; Tucker Halpern; Greg Jacques; Brian Johnson; Peter Kaasila; Benyam Kerman; Gabe Kindred; Mike Marra; Sam Martin; Paris Massey; Louis Montes; Erik Murphy; Danquah Rawlins; Mike Rivera; Dartaye Ruffin; Akeem Williams; Rashad Wright; Toso Adebamowo; Reuben Cabrea; Kellen Cade; Chris Evans; Alec Giusti; Shawn Holley; Eric Jean-Guillaume; Justin Kuntz; Dominique Langston; Ryan Lehane; Daryl McCoy; Jeremy Moore; Spencer Noon; Uzoma Orchingwa; Steven Samuels; Adrian Satchell; Doug Soutar; Will Tye; Jordan Williams; Corey Wright Jr.; Luke Apfeld; Devan Bailey; Mike Accaoui; Pucci Angel; Billy Baron; Russell Deremer; Jordan McDonald; and Nyheem Sanders.
Boston Soldiers to showcase at Connecticut College
Andrew McCarthy to Northfield Mt Hermon
Anthony Weeks, 12 points – Worcester Academy (Worcester, MA): Weeks played the role of a distributor on his Worcester team this year, so tonight he relished the opportunity to score the ball as he knocked down a three-pointer and scored twice with his pull-up jumper after crossing up his defender.
James Marcellus, 0 points – Bridgton Academy (North Bridgton, ME): The Dorchester native is one of the best unsigned big men left in the class of 2008. He should be headed to the division I level next year.
Peterson Bernard, 17 points – Madison Park HS (Boston, MA): This is the third time we’ve seen Bernard this week and he’s gotten progressively more impressive each time. He scored every time he caught the ball within 5 feet of the rim and also did a nice job on the glass.
Uche Egesionu, 4 points – Trinity Catholic HS (Newton, MA): The big fella was never able to get much going offensively, but he did a nice job banging inside and being active on the glass.
Romeo Diaz, 6 points – Methuen HS (Methuen, MA): He would have been hard pressed to duplicate his performance from a night earlier. Diaz is apparently headed to prep school next year where he should have a good chance of earning himself a scholarship.
Josh Paulino, 10 points – Pomfret School (Pomfret, CT): The Methuen native brought out his bag of tricks tonight as he got by people off the dribble, manufactured his own shot, and found others as well.
Underclassmen Game – White Team
Matt Gibson, 5 points – Lexington Christian (Lexington, MA): Gibson continues to be able to get into the lane and make plays off the dribble while also showing his prowess as a catch and shoot player.
James Marcellus – Bridgton Academy (North Bridgton, ME): The former Archbishop Williams big man was at his best when catching the ball on the low block and then facing up to attack his defender as he showed a quick first step and a good ability to finish in stride.
Romeo Diaz – Methuen HS (Methuen, MA): One of the night’s best performers was showcasing his full offensive repertoire. In the first set of games he knocked down two three-pointers, changed speeds off the bounce to create his own shot, and had a break away dunk.
Josh Paulino – Pomfret Academy (Pomfret, CT): One of several unsigned seniors (or in this case post-graduates) who are potential scholarship candidates. He was at his best off the dribble as he was good with the ball and very crafty inside the lane.
Danquah Rawlins – Tabor Academy (Marion, MA): The repeat junior does his best work in the open floor, which makes him ideally suited for showcase style events. He was equally effective on the defensive end as he got into passing lanes and even took the only charge of the night.
Peterson Bernard – Madison Park HS (Boston, MA): Word of advice to defenders…if you allow him to establish deep post position you have no chance…that may be easier said then done as he is one of the strongest and most physical big men in the region.
Cliff Celestin (Tabor Academy, Marion, MA) had great quickness with the ball and at the defensive end...Uche Egesionu (Trinity Catholic, Newton MA) scored over both shoulders in the post…Matt Gibson (Lexington Christian, Lexington MA) continued to be a playmaker with his passing ability…Oliver Hunter (Bishop Guertin HS, Nashua NH) showed some impressive bounce…Anthony Weeks (Worcester Academy, Worcester MA) showed his high basketball I.Q. as he made good decisions with the ball and got shots for his teammates
7 of the players featured in G.Boston All-Star Game Preview
Matt Gibson – Lexington Christian Academy (Lexington, MA): There are few players that have improved in the last year quite as much as Gibson. Not only has he transformed his body and become a very good spot up shooter, but he was also the best passer in the gym on Sunday night.
Peterson Bernard (Madison Park HS, Boston, MA) didn’t get many touches but was still a load inside
7 Boston Soldiers players have been invited to play in the Hoop Mountain Greater Boston All-Star Game on March 22nd. 6 will be playing in the Senior Game at 6:00- (Peterson Bernard, Uche Egesionu, Romeo Diaz, Josh Paulino, Anthony Weeks (pictured left) and James Marcellus) While Matt Gibson will be representing in the Junior Game played at 8 pm. Come and see some of the best talent Massachusetts has to offer!
Romeo Diaz – Methuen HS (Methuen, MA): The 6’5” swingman erupted for arguably the best game the region has seen thus far this year. Not only did he have 50 points, but he also had a triple double as he finished with 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 assists powering Methuen to a 98-96 triple overtime victory over Dracut. With his team trailing by three at the end of the first extra frame, he drove the length of the floor and drained a 3-pointer from the wing at the buzzer to tie it.
Matt Gibson and Chris Picardi – Lexington Christian (Lexington, MA): The backcourt duo had another big weekend as they led Lexington Christian to two big wins over their rival Concord Academy and the #1 team in their league, Pingree. Gibson had 20 points and 8 assists and Picardi 27 points against Concord. Two days later at Pingree, Gibson had 33 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals while Picardi dropped 29.
Danquah Rawlins – Tabor Academy (Marion, MA): The junior forward had a big week. On Wednesday he scored 25 points (including 19 in the first half) to go along with 12 rebounds as Tabor defeated Andover. Saturday he scored another 15 against Thayer, including the game winning bucket as he drove the baseline and sunk a reverse lay-up as time expired.
Matt Gibson & Chris Picardi – Lexington Christian Academy (MA) & Ephraim Herskovitz – Beaver Country Day (Chestnut Hill, MA): Junior guard Gibson (23 points, 5 three-pointers, 8 assists) and senior guard Picardi (31 points, 7 three-pointers) led Lexington Christian, but it wasn’t enough as Herskovitz scored 26 to lead BCD to a 66-60 victory.
Romeo Diaz – Methuen HS (MA): The senior swingman was on his way to a memorable performance before spraining his ankle in the third quarter and being forced to sit out the remainder of the game against St. John’s Prep. With over ten minutes still left to play in the game, he had already scored 27 points.
Pomfret 71
Bancroft 46
POMFRET — Josh Paulino had a stellar game with 24 points, six assists and nine steals as he led Pomfret in a rout over Bancroft (Mass.).
Peterson Bernard & Davidson Hofty – Madison Park HS (MA): The senior duo was too powerful of a 1-2 punch on the interior as Madison Park knocked off Latin Academy 74-68. Bernard had 26 points and 13 rebounds while Hofty had 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Oliver Hunter & Sean McClung – Bishop Guertin HS (NH): Hunter scored 20 points to lead his team but it was the freshmen, McClung, who came up with the heroics at the end of the game as he scored 2 of his 14 points with the game winning shot to lead Bishop Guertin over Timberlane 72-71.
Uche Egesionu – Trinity Catholic HS (MA): The big man had a BIG game as he absolutely dominated the interior against Matignon, to the tune of 39 points and 18 rebounds. Trinity Catholic won the game 88-73.
6-5 Swingman-Romeo Diaz
5'10 Point Guard- Matt Gibson
6'7 Big Man- Peterson Bernard
Coach Kelly and Coach Vern with NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton
Watch some highlights from Matt Gibson's 33 point 9 assist performance against Pingree
Highlights from the 2007 17-U State
Championship run
Fall 2007- Highlights from the Hall of Fame Columbus Day Classic
Fall 2006 Highlight Reel
