STOUGHTON, Mass. — The most important stretch of the boys basketball calendar is on deck, with the NEPSAC Scholastic Showcases coming just before the July grassroots finale. There are four live periods over the next six weeks.
The Zero Gravity Boys National Finals gave us a great preview appetizer of what’s next.
Before prospects from around the region rejoined their prep teams ahead of this weekend’s first NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase, they competed at one of the biggest local tournaments on the spring calendar. Some of the best regional grassroots programs were in the building this weekend at the Dana Barros Basketball Club, with Sunday yielding some terrific championship matchups.
I caught the end of Sunday’s action, focusing on the 17U and 16U divisions. Here are eight standouts who caught my attention.
Preston Bollin, Middlesex Magic 17U UAA
Class of 2027, 6-6 forward
Newman/Raynham, Mass.
NCAA: Princeton
Bollin was the most impactful player on the court in the Magic’s varsity division championship victory. I counted at least five assists in just the first half; he was doing work out of the post with his back to the basket finding open teammates, and I loved a sequence when he found Spencer Booth on back-to-back plays, one out of the post and another off a drive where he found Booth underneath for a three-point play. He was also assertive in scoring himself, which included one play where he grabbed a defensive rebound and took it coast to coast for a three-point play. Bolin’s combination of physicality and high IQ was a difference maker. He won MVP honors.
Adriel Cantave & Malachi Odugbela, BABC 16U 3SSB
Cantave: Class of 2028, 6-3 guard; St. George’s/Carver, Mass.
Odugbela: Class of 2028, 6-6 guard; St. Andrew’s/Providence, R.I.
BABC’s star backcourt was at the head of the squad’s 10th grade championship win as they were named Co-MVPs. Cantave looks noticeably stronger to me and it helped him absorb contact in some physical drives and finishes. Odugbela continued to flash his promise with some difficult shotmaking, and he made one ridiculous spin move in transition for a bucket. Both are certain 2028 names to watch entering the NEPSAC showcases and July live periods.
Owen Earle, Middlesex Magic 16U UAA
Class of 2028, 6-3 guard
Wilbraham & Monson/Hadley, Mass.
This was my first real look at Earle after he missed the winter due to a broken foot – and man, this kid has a lot of intriguing tools. An athletic guard, Earle was making a bunch of difficult scoring plays, strong finishes against contact, spin moves to the basket, showcasing a quick first step and even some legitimate range from deep. He also made a few smart, timely reads with his passing. There’s a lot to be excited about with Earle as he enters the live periods healthy.
Chance Finlayson, Expressions Elite 16U EYBL
Class of 2029, 6-6 forward
St. George’s/Newport, R.I.
An early contender for the top prospect in New England’s 2029 class, Finlayson was a big reason for Expressions’ run to the varsity championship game as they played a division up. He possesses unique athleticism and strength, but he was also confidently hitting 3-pointers and pull-ups in addition to finishing against contact and moving fluidly on both ends of the court.
Jaylen Hunter-Coleman, BABC 17U 3SSB
Class of 2027, 6-0 guard
Newman/Boston, Mass.
Hunter-Coleman is a joy to watch as a lead guard; he plays at a quick, explosive pace yet is always in control and seems to know the play to make a step ahead of the defense based on the coverage. He got downhill consistently vs. Lu Dort Elite – one of BABC’s top competitors on the Adidas circuit – and made a bunch of great rim reads. On one play, he denied a ball screen and drove it baseline for a reverse layup. On another, he made a baseline drive and found teammate Samuel Owusu-Aduomi for a corner 3-pointer. And there was another reverse layup finish for the three-point play. He also made a couple of clutch free throws with three seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Cole McClure, Middlesex Magic 16U UAA
Class of 2028, 6-4 guard
Phillips Exeter/Stratham, N.H.
McClure is one of the best three-level scorers in New England’s 2028 class and I loved the versatility of the ways he was producing on Sunday. I saw multiple 3-pointers, and when he was getting raced off the line, he did a great job of staying controlled and poised, attacking closeouts and either getting to the rim or getting to pull-ups. My favorite part of his production was his off-ball action; he was excellent throughout the day at moving for back-door opportunities. I also saw McClure get physical for some really strong defensive rebounds.
Ryan McLaughlin, Middlesex Magic 17U UAA
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Milton Academy/Hanover, N.H.
McLaughlin produced probably the most dominant stretch of individual basketball I saw on Sunday in the Magic’s semifinal win over Expressions Premiere. There were so many highlights: a pair of 3-pointers; two steals moments apart, including one he hustled to save in bounds; catching a pass while moving around a screen, then taking one dribble into sinking a pull-up; another steal, then a sweet in-and-out dribble to score on the fast break; drawing a foul on a tough defensive rebound; and then another 3-pointer off the catch around a screen. This all happened in about 8-10 minutes of game time. McLaughlin has long been one of my favorite two-way weapons in this class, a smart player who can impact the game in a ton of ways. This was another prime example.
Quick shouts: Will White (Middlesex Magic 16U UAA) had a fantastic hustle sequence that helped the Magic in its comeback against BABC, tipping out a steal for a fast-break bucket before stealing the ensuing inbounds pass for another score. He later scored on another fast break for six points in the span of about 30 seconds. … Julien Wiggins (Middlesex Magic 17U UAA) was scoring at will in the second half to help close the Magic’s title win, including a poke-steal from behind before being rewarded with a layup in transition. …
Jordan Maxson (BABC 16U 3SSB) made some highly athletic finishes, including one crashing to the floor for a three-point play. He also drilled an important 3-pointer to halt the Magic’s momentum in the title game. … Declan Griffiths (Middlesex Magic 17U UAA) made a strong individual surge with five consecutive points, a dunk and a 3-pointer, to help turn the tide for the Magic when they were trailing in the second half of the championship game. I also saw him continue to attack closeouts well and he had a few loud dunks early.
