Massachusetts Division1 State Preview
December 22nd, 2009
New England Recruiting Report
Will Central Catholic be able to repeat or will another team emerge?
North
Central Catholic - Defending State Champion returns BC bound Katie Zenevitch who is both smooth inside and out. Junior point guard Gabie Polce has incredible size and length which makes her a tremendous defender. She is equally adept at scoring and creating. Melissa Miller who gives them a third scoring option already has received scholarship offers. Their bench strength is clearly apparent and there is little drop off. Senior Bianca Sacco, Sophomore Alex Borelli and juniors Brianna Martin and Courtney Williams lead the charge.
Andover – Natalie Gomez and Nicole Boudreau are the premier guard combo in the state. Boudreau has a reputation as a shooter but certainly has shown her ability to get to the rim. Gomez is lighting fast and can score in multitude of ways. Ally Fazio and Dianna Bill will also provide scoring. The big question will be whether they can compensate for their lack of size in the post.
Westford – Stonehill bound Asia Ewing leads a very talented rugged group of players. Size and tenacity defines this group along with skill players such as Lauren Gallant and Erica Wright a multi faceted 6-0 guard who can shoot it and get to the rack. The Grey Ghosts will certainly be there in the end.
Lincoln Sudbury – L-S moves up to Division 1 North and have considerable athleticism among their junior guards in Nyah Berg, Lindsey Jones, and Bridget Mahoney. Ali Murray mans the middle. Two talented freshman with size Ashley Lutz and Mandy Sifferlen should step in and contribute right away.
Lynn English – Athleticism and guard play is the unquestionable strength of this team. Jenicia Duggins is extremely talented. Kayla Murkinson, and Miranda & Lashunda Hogan bring tenacity on the defensive end as well as ability to score. Similar to Andover if they can establish an interior presence and rebound this team will be successful.
Methuen – Size and depth in their frontcourt is definitely the overwhelming factor here. BU bound Rashid Agboola can score in bunches. 6-2 Ashley Leblanc is skilled post with a soft touch down low. Catherine Cloutier and Courtney Murach are both skilled 6-0 posts as well. There is plethora of senior guards that will need to step up for this team to compete in MVC and statewide.
Cambridge – 6-1 Mykaliah Best and Dyamond Gardner heads a talented and athletic group of players. Senior Georgia Pingue and 5-11 Audrey Andres are solid players in the own right.
Somerville – The success of this team will depend on the messing of old and new. The Highlanders have considerable talent in upperclassmen Kelsey Garrity and Keisha Jean-Louis but they also have a stud group of freshman who appear ready to contribute at the varsity level including Indira Evora, Shykela McAndrews and sophomore Ashley Auciello.
Acton Boxborough – Sophomore Elizabeth Belanger and junior Hannah Foley are two tremendously talented players. Who will run the show for this team will be the big question.
Masconomet – Another team that steps up a division this year. Sophomores Danielle Davis and Brooke Stewart are quite impressive. The Chieftains have size, depth and a senior laden team behind 5-10 Carly Kiernan, 5-9 Emily Winskowicz and 5-11 Julie Galvin. The point guard responsibilities will be handled by Courtney Allison
South
Brockton – After graduating four seniors this team is far from rebuilding. Sophomore Tianna Johnson is considered one of the best guards in the state already. 6-2 Morgan Thatcher is gives them a tremendous presence down low. The athleticism and speed will be tough for opponents to counter as the D1 south finalists look to repeat.
Wellesley – Guards Blake Dietrick and Stonehill committed Mary Louise Dixon are dynamic, can defend and score in bunches. Size and complimentary scorers is the question here.
Newton North - The Tigers are a versatile team that has some size, good guard play and can score in a variety of ways. Briana Hunt and Djadiah Wynn can defend and can score from outside as well as by attacking. Size in Monet Lowe, Megan Gentile and Lucy Abbot give them a solid interior presence. Ella Sheuerell is solid scoring wing.
Marshfield – Nicole Beresford is bona fide stud but she has a talented group around her in senior guard Kendra Kerr, and sophomore 6-0 post Erin Doherty.
Durfee - The lost of Kate McDonald will certainly affect this team but Umass Lowell bound Lauren Fiola is very talented.
Needham – Christine Ganser who is committed to Holy Cross leads Needham who lost in the South sectional finals last year. Colleen Rizzo is talented and will take over the point guard responsibilities.
Mansfield – This is a talented group with seven senior returning. Seniors guards Colleen Hooper and Briena Walker as well as post Jess Eason give them scorers and solid inside out presence.
Newton South - Chloe Rothman, Kendall Burton and Sophie Bikofsky are athletic guards and can score both from the outside as well as getting to the rim. Inside Ally Liepzieg and Julia Sloan-Cullen will need to rebound and defend to have success later in the year.
West
Springfield Central – Holy Cross bound Bri Malone and guard Alece Mark leads this team of dynamic and athletic wing players. The WMasss runner up should be in the thick of things again this year
East Longmeadow - Last year’s Wmass champion has a solid inside out senior presence in point guard Laurie Bonano and post Krista Ferrentino. Junior Kylie White is a terrific shooter. These three starters should help them return to the top of western mass
Amherst – Amherst returns a host of talented players including versatile do everything guard Aly Leonard, explosive post player Mariah Lesure who is able to run the floor, rebound with the best of them and finish, and, not to mention, underrated guard Jenna Klaes who is healthy this year
Central
Wachusett – Their guards are terrific in junior Cheyenne Jennings and senior Jackie Boffolli. The front court is huge and outstanding in Bentley bound Jacqui Brugliera as well as 6-2 Shannon Holt and Shannon El Qasem. This team is odds on favorite and will be tough to beat in the central
Other Top Players in Division 1
Caitlin O’Connell Sr Framingham
Ginny Fleming Sr Peabody
Janelle Rodriguez Sr Peabody
Fillette Lovaincy Jr Malden
Lauren Perra Jr Taunton
Taylor Sweeney Soph Everett
Molly Desmond Sr. Lowell
Vicky Kennedy Jr Braintree
Amber Dillon Jr Brookline
Ashley Meredith Sr Franklin
Alex Rurycz Sr Barnstable
Morgan Jenkins Jr Revere
Leah Murphy Sr Westborough
Milena Cruzado Jr Doherty
Donovan Driscoll Soph Chemlsford
Danielle Perkins Jr Woburn
Arielle Gomes Jr New Bedford
Tracey Ivan Jr Plymouth South
Trisha Luis Soph Lowell
Olivia Jenkins Soph Tantasqua
Amanda McKenney Jr Braintree
Emily Reilly Sr Marlboro
Anh-Dao Tran Sr Holy Name
Krystal Rodriguez Sr Doherty
Ali Naliviaka Sr St Peter Marian
Jessica Frawley Jr Agawam
Megan Fornaro Soph Shephard Hill
Carolyn Niedweicki Sr Longmeadow
Dana Theobald Jr West Springfield
Jenna Williamson Sr Ludlow
