By Will Pegler
It’s that time of year again at Darien High School, House Basketball Season is upon us. Here is all the latest information you will need for this 2015-1016 season.
1. Michigan
With reigning Freshman MVP Nick Green leading the team, the Wolverines will be a force to be reckoned with throughout this season. Green is a natural athlete who will likely be running the point for this squad, and by my estimates will average at least 30 points per game. Two other sophomores that will play a huge role in the Wolverines success this season are Justin Canelli and Blake Sommi. Canelli has been a solid big man throughout his house basketball career, while Sommi will add another dimension of speed and athleticism to Michigan’s frontcourt. Sommi, who believes he is underrated for this upcoming season offered “to buy his haters ankle braces before the game”. Another player that intrigues me is Freshman Glen Fay. Fay is a contender for Frosh MVP, and well, that’s pretty much all I know about him, other than the fact that he’s from a pretty athletic family. The Wolverines certainly have a great chance to go all the way this season, and are no question confident in their abilities. In fact, Nick Green told me; “If my team doesn’t win it all, it will go down as the most talented team to not win a championship.”
2. Maryland
The Terps don’t have one superstar that will carry the team on their back this season, but they look like one of the most complete teams coming in. First of all, the Terps will cause a defensive nightmare for the opposition in big men Willie Keating and Teddy Brannigan. Keating is by far and away the biggest frosh this season and can rack up rebounds in his sleep. Brannigan, on the other hand, has Keating’s size but can also run the point if needed. Frankly, Teddy Brannigan barreling his way into the paint is probably the most frightening sight in House Basketball. At the top of the key, the Terps will have Matt Gould and Will Rehm running the show. I’m pretty sure Gould played fourth grade achievers, while Rehm played on the Freshman team last year. So both players have skill when it comes to basketball. The only question is, how well will all of these talents work as a unit? Teddy Brannigan knows that the Terps start as a top team this season, but only has one goal in mind; “Our team has mad potential this year, we’re coming for the ‘ship. #beastingandfeasting”.
3. Providence
Another solid all around team, the Friars have no shortage of short and speedy players. Brian Minicus will be the frontman for this squad, as he is arguably the best shooter coming into this season. Minicus has a passing ability only comparable to a young, caucasian, slightly less talented, Magic Johnson . The Friars also had a great pickup in the underrated Charlie Baylis. It seems that teams have always overlooked Baylis’ talent throughout his career, but he has never disappointed, Charlie Baylis defines the term “Unsung Hero”. Defensively, the Friars look to Connor Tienken as their leader. Tienken is the preseason defensive player of the year, and deservingly so. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose his man, he will certainly get the job done for the Friars. Another talent is Sophomore Alex Dehmel, Dehmel is short and quick and has the ability to shake off his defender and create shots for himself. The Friars look like a team that could make a run in the playoffs coming into this season.
4. UConn
Jack Joyce will no doubt be the catalyst for the team, last year Joyce played for the Freshman team (whatever that is…) and helped lead them to a 19-1 season. With a great shot and good ball handling abilities, Joyce may finish as the MVP this season. One player that you may not know is freshman Nolan Crosby. Crosby is a fantastic three point shooter and is tough to stop when he gets hot. Crosby will be key in the Huskies offensive success this season. Defensively, the Huskies will rely on Sophomore Connor Percarpio to get the job done. Percarpio is nothing less than a pest on the defensive side of the ball and is likely to cause multiple turnovers throughout each game. If these players can get the job done for the Huskies, I don’t see why they couldn’t be a championship contender this season.
5. Duke
The Blue Devils look to be a quality team with some strong Sophomore talent. Justin Van DeGraaf will need to get the job done, though, if the Blue Devils want to make a run this season. An ex-freshman basketball team player, Van De Graaf will likely be the Blue Devils number one guy this season. Supporting Van De Graaf will be Sophomore Sean Collins. Collins will be at the top of the key with Van De Graaf, which will make for a very tough defensive matchup when the two are on the court together. Another Sophomore contributor will be Mike Neary. Neary is a bit of an enigma, a self proclaimed shooter who also can get boards, he will need to get a lot of minutes as one of the Blue Devils only big men. Duke will need these three players to put out big numbers in order to be successful this season.
6. Michigan State
The Spartans round out the top six teams in the league. I think the Spartans look solid this season, but Sophomore Charlie Olson will need to come through if the Spartans want to succeed. The Spartans also will look for contributions from Patrick Burke. Burke is a solid shooter and a good athlete, that is of course if he can stay healthy. As he’s coming off a football related ACL tear. Speaking of Burke, apparently he’s ambidextrous, so he will probably be a solid ball handler for the Spartans this season. An ex-factor in the paint will be Sophomore Christian Marchesi. Freshman Quentin Ehlers will also provide strong outside shooting for MSU.
7. Georgetown
The Hoyas star this season will be Sophomore Craig Triano. Triano was the biggest surprise of this draft as he somehow escaped the Brian Rayhill franchise tag. We all know Craig has the skills to succeed, but will he be able to get it done under a new coaching staff? The most intimidating character on the Hoyas this season will be Will Culliton. Culliton has never been afraid to foul and is always scrappy in the paint. Some have even told me that “Cully” has arrived in the final minutes of some games, but still found a way to foul out. Helping Culliton out in the paint will be Sophomore Will Rooney. Rooney has good size to accompany his large mouth, and will be a presence in the paint. Scoring production will also come from sharp shooter Dillon O’Shea.
8. Syracuse
The Orangemen had a surprising first round pick in Freshman Sam Smith, who I don’t know much about to be honest, but had solid pick ups in later rounds. A dynamic duo for the Orange this season will be Sophomores Harry “Hairy” Rayhill and Alex Phillips. Although Phillips is weighed in at 267 pounds and is 6ft 7 in height, both have the ability to rack up huge numbers and are tenacious rebounders in the paint, but even more impressive is their unique hairstyles. Rayhill comes into this season with the old school blonde afro, while Phillips goes with the brown mop. My point is, Rayhill and Phillips will be very tough to stop this season. Freshman Jack Bogdan will also help out in the Orangemen’s frontcourt.
9. Kentucky
Coming in hot at the number 9 spot are the Kentucky Wildcats. Led by ex-freshman team player Fin Batson, the Wildcats lack size but have plenty of skill players at the guard position. Fin Batson and Alex Murray will likely be the Wildcats top two players this season. Batson has a great outside shot and is tall enough to grab some rebounds. Murray has good ball handling skills and will be a solid point guard when Batson is out. The Wildcats will also incorporate Ryan Baird, Tyler Russo, and Sam “Baño” Scribano in their offensive game plan. Also, I don’t know a lot about this Will Pegler kid but he sounds cool.
10. Washington
It’s tough to predict how the Huskies of Washington will do this season. They have plenty of skill in players like Max Gasvoda and Kevin Grune. Grune played on the B-Team in 7th grade under the tutelage of the great Ira Cobb. While Gasvoda is a long time house baller who looks to be the Huskies number one at the point guard position. Hank Rech will need to step up this season as he is virtually the only “big guy” on the squad. Though compared to other premier big men in the league Hank isn’t very tall, what he lacks in height he makes up with a nitty gritty style of play and elite trash talking skills (reminiscent of the trash talk great, Reggie Miller). Henry Adiletta will contribute to the Huskies outside shooting and will try to live up to his older brother TJ in the swag department.
11. North Carolina
David Volz will be relied on to get the job done for the Tar Heels. I have confidence that he will do fine, but I only worry because this is his first year of house, and wonder how he will handle the off court pressures of being under the microscope throughout this season. A great 4th round pickup was Sophomore Tommy Murphy. Murphy is a “slippery” guard. Not only because of his speed, but because of the gallons of sweat that he produces throughout the game. Henry Nolte and Thomas Foresta will also produce offense for the Tar Heels. The Tar Heels also possess quite possibly my favorite Freshman, Jack Gordon. I know nothing about Gordon’s basketball skills, but I’m assuming he will succeed for the Tar Heels. Lastly, the Tar Heels got a steal in Cole Armstrong late in the draft. Armstrong will bring a movie knowledge and sarcastic flare that will be dynamic in the Tar Heels team chemistry.
12. Stanford
Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of positives for this squad. Sophomore Max Grant will have to carry the team on his back this season. If he can translate some of his skills on the football field to the court then maybe the Cardinal have a chance this season. Other sophomores contributing will be Cole Stevenson and Nate Hadlow. Stevenson is often forgotten in this league but make no mistake, this guy is a threat on both sides of the court. Canada hasn't produced too many legendary basketball players since Steve Nash, but Nathan “Poutine” Hadlow will show that maple fever can win games.
Preseason Awards:
MVP: Jack Joyce
Unsung Hero of the Year: Charlie Baylis
Defensive Player of the Year: Connor Tienken
Freshman of the Year: Glen Fay
Player who is suffering from diaphoresis (sweats a lot): Tommy Murphy
Big Man of the Year: Teddy Brannigan
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