WOLFEBORO, N.H. – It’s gotten to the point where anyone paying attention to NEPSAC fully expects Brewster Academy to have the most talent in Class AAA. This year’s team looks to fit that description, and that was true even before a recent addition made them even stronger. That new addition also made a decision on Tuesday that had coach Jason Smith responding to a number of text messages.
As impressive as the team looks, the prospect with the most buzz wasn’t even playing on Tuesday as Mitch McGary (6’10” Sr. PF, Porter (IN)) is nursing a minor left ankle injury. Still, he was very much present, as he was encouraging teammates from the sideline the entire time. McGary had a big off-season and is now ranked by most recruiting services as one of the top five players in the class of 2012.
McGary will have plenty of help up front, led by Jalen Reynolds (6’9″ Sr. PF, Livonia (MI)), one of two Xavier commits on the team. Reynolds was the best player on the floor on this night, and that is sure to not be an isolated event as he’s an athletic power forward with a good frame who can score inside and out. His body isn’t there yet, but he’s already a solid post scorer with stickbacks and jump hooks, and has a good stroke out past mid-range. Also a good rebounder, the best thing is that he doesn’t just hang on the perimeter all day despite his ability there. It won’t be long before he’s racking up all-conference honors at Xavier.
The notable new addition is Jakarr Sampson (6’8″ Sr. SF, Akron (OH)), who returns after coming up short on the academic qualifications to play at St. John’s, where he had signed. Sampson returns for a post-graduate year (last year was his fourth year of high school) and looks like a much-improved player, as he’s no longer just long and athletic without much of a skill package. He showed an improved jumper and some better ball skills, and his body is maturing some. Sampson de-committed from St. John’s shortly before the workout began, which had numerous college coaches inquiring the entire time.
T.J. Warren (6’8″ Sr. SF, Raleigh (NC)) can flat-out score and is wired to do so, and he had that on display here. He has a good body and a lot of range on his jumper, and while not the most athletic player he will find a way to score, from runners to open three-pointers to layups using the left hand.
Warren and Sampson will be joined on the wing by Marquette commit Deonte Burton (6’5″ Jr. SF, Milwaukee (WI)), a power wing who will battle when he’s out there and didn’t play as well as he’s capable of on this night, John Edwards (6’6″ Jr. SF, Davidson (NC)), who sat out with a hip injury, and Gilbert McGregor (6’4″ Sr. SF, New Orleans (LA)), an excellent student who struggled with his jumper at first but got going later.
The backcourt has plenty going for it, starting with another Xavier commit in Semaj Christon (6’2″ Sr. PG, Cincinnati (OH)). A quick point guard with a good frame, he drove often and showed a touch from long range, while also making an acrobatic finish on one play. He’ll be joined at the point primarily by Joe Bramanti (6’2″ Sr. PG-SG, Andover (MA)), who’s well-built and has a mature body. Bramanti had a solid workout, finishing well including with his left (off) hand, driving effectively and showing a touch from long range.
Aaron Thomas (6’5″ Sr. SG, Cincinnati (OH)), a Florida State commit, should play a key role off the ball. His body’s not there yet, but he’s plenty athletic, showed that he can shoot and go to his left very well and finished in traffic. As if that’s not enough, he made several good passes, making him a complete threat on offense.
Cameron Jones (6’1″ So. SG, Ossining (NY)) and Rudolfs Arnicans (6’2″ Jr. SG, Latvia), who has some shooting ability that he displayed, will also be in the mix, as will local boy Richard O’Brien (5’10” Jr. PG-SG, Bedford (NH)), who got hot shooting the ball later in the workout and showed he can hit off the catch or stepping back.
There is again plenty of talent to make Brewster the likely favorite in NEPSAC Class AAA once again this season. Last year, they were the top seed before bowing out in the semifinals, and last year’s tournament proved anything can happen. But chances are, the road to the title will once again go through Wolfeboro this season.
