Worcester Academy Has the Same Good Look
WORCESTER, Mass. – Ed Reilly’s team at Worcester Academy will have a similar look this season. That’s true for more reasons than just the fact that five players return from last season’s squad, which doesn’t happen often in the world of prep school basketball.
Watching the Hilltoppers play, it’s clear that this team won’t bowl anyone over with talent or athleticism. They’re not going to fill up the highlight reels. But like last season, they are a team that knows the game well, which should translate into some wins that they wouldn’t get on talent alone, in addition to good basketball to watch.
A couple of the seniors have already committed to Division I schools. Sam Martin (6’2″ Sr. SG, West Warwick (RI)) committed to Yale in August after a good spring and summer. A year ago, he wasn’t the most upbeat after a workout we observed, but he kept improving and it really showed once the spring rolled around. Known for his jumper, Martin scored more off the dribble in this workout as he struggled a bit from behind the arc.
Ben Crenca (6’9″ Sr. PF, Exeter (RI)) committed to Vermont, and the Catamounts have to be happy with what they’re getting. He’s always been able to use his body inside and effort is never a question, and he’s improved at scoring inside when he has to dribble a time or two and knocked down a couple of mid-range jumpers facing the basket. But the best thing of all is that his body is in the best shape it’s been since he arrived in Worcester, as he’s shed some baby fat and still played well inside in this workout. He’ll join a team stacked with guards, and since he loves to bang he’ll fit in well at Vermont, where the Catamounts are already set in the backcourt.
Austin Carroll (6’3″ Sr. SG, Bedford (MA)) had a big summer after an injury slowed him during the spring. Even while not 100 percent, he had his moments playing for the New England Playaz in May in helping them to the final of the Massachusetts AAU. He was invisible at times during the open gym workout, but he’s continued to improve since arriving there two years ago and figures to get plenty of minutes on the perimeter for the Hilltoppers this season.
The inside track at the point guard spot likely belongs to another holdover, Gabe Kindred (6’1″ Sr. PG, Oakland (CA)). Kindred really competes on each possession, which makes him the player that he is as like everyone else, he won’t blow you away with physical gifts although like Crenca, he’s in the best shape he’s been in since arriving in town.
Kindred will be pushed at the point by DeShawn Dockery (5’11” Sr. PG, Chicago (IL)), a cousin of former Duke guard Sean. The slight lefty point guard has some quickness and is a good leaper, and if he knocks down three-pointers like he did during a couple of stretches here, he’ll certainly keep defenders honest.
Another newcomer who will see time in the backcourt is Corvon Gaines (6’5″ Sr. SG-SF, Madison (WI)), younger brother of former Louisville star Reece. Gaines is well-built and, as is the case with others, not a great athlete but hardly lacking in that area as well. He doesn’t look to be as talented as his brother, but he has good size and a good basketball I.Q. that should enable him to be a solid contributor on this team.
The most intriguing newcomer has to be Damon Warren (6’8″ Sr. SF-PF, Richmond (CA)), who once went to school with Kindred in the Bay Area. He has a good body and looks like a 4-3 combo forward, as he ran the floor well and is a plus athlete. His ball skills won’t jump out at you, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him emerge as a combo forward down the road while causing some matchup problems.
Another newcomer, Blake McLimons (6’11” Sr. PF-C, Buffalo (NY)), did not suit up. The lanky post player played with the NEBC team this past spring and summer and is more of a face-the-basket player, which gives Reilly a different option up front since Crenca will bang inside and Warren has some good post skills.
Also in the frontcourt, another holdover, Tony Dolphin (6’5″ Sr. PF, Westborough (MA)), will see some minutes, as will newcomer Patrick Ackerman (6’8″ So. PF), who’s not there yet physically and doesn’t look ready to contribute a great deal right now, especially with the upperclassmen on the team.
A few players who aren’t at the school came for the workout. Mike Rivera (5’11” Sr. PG, Durfee (MA) High) was able to get to the basket as he often does and also shot it well from long range, which we haven’t seen much of before. He may do a post-graduate year after this season. Louis Montes (6’4″ Sr. SG-SF, Brockton (MA) High) has a solid body and used it well while showing some good guard skills. Clancy Rugg (6’7″ Sr. PF, Burlington (VT) High) is known for being a workhorse inside, but here showed a nice touch from long range as he knocked down several three-pointers. His offense came along more as the spring and summer came along, and at this workout he showed continued progress.
Last season, Reilly’s team snuck into the NEPSAC Class A tournament. This year, with a little more experience and some good additions, they’ll have a more experienced but similar team. They don’t look like a team that should win it all, but they should have a good year and win a game or two against a more talented team because it’s a good group of young men and they know how to play the game.
