WOLFEBORO, N.H. – We’re used to Brewster Academy having the most talent in NEPSAC, so a trip up to the Lakes Region that ends with that observation isn’t really news. This time around, the story may be the possible emergence of those with less of a reputation coming in as opposed to how good the team can be just starting with the high-major players they have.
It’s not surprising that three Bobcats are already committed to high-major schools and a fourth to a Mountain West powerhouse. There may be more by season’s end. But like their past teams, this team also has players who won’t play at that same level in college, and those players will have a lot to do with whether or not they hang another NEPSAC and/or national championship banner after this season.
The perimeter is where it starts, with Kevin Zabo (6’2″ Sr. PG, Gatineau (Quebec)) as the incumbent at the point. A high-character young man, the San Diego State commit has a slight frame but drove often to score or find a teammate, and while he didn’t shoot well early he started hitting jumpers with more frequency later on. He may see some time off the ball alongside Devonte Graham (6’1″ Sr. PG, Raleigh (NC)), who looks like he could improve his stock with his post-graduate year. He’s athletic and has a slight frame, but as the day went on he got warmer from long range and was overall more of a factor. Last year, he signed with Appalachian State, and while he could conceivably be recruited again he has not yet been released.
The other headline guard is recent Oklahoma State commit Jared Terrell (6’3″ Sr. SG, Weymouth (MA)), who was good but didn’t stand out for a lot of the day, then came alive late. The well-built guard shot the ball better later in the day and got many chances at the hoop. A recent addition, Donovan Mitchell (6’3″ Jr. SG, Greenwich (CT)), is built like Terrell and had a very good workout on Tuesday. Mitchell is athletic and aggressive and likes to play fast, and he continued the good start he’s had since arriving on campus with his outing here. A very good student, he will try to dunk all day, but he also shot the ball well from long range, and thus far head coach Jason Smith has been very impressed with what he’s done.
Jordan Manse (6’2″ Sr. SG, Austin (TX)) is also in the mix after having his moments on Tuesday, not doing any one thing well but looking like a good complement. Jake Hilkey (6’3″ Sr. SG-SF, Wolfeboro (NH)) is a hometown kid with a mature body who can contribute. Nike Maragkidis (6’4″ Jr. SG, Greece) has a slight frame and a body with a ways to go but also showed a mid-range touch.
There are a few good options on the wing, and they all bring something different to the table. Georgetown commit Isaac Copeland (6’8″ Sr. SF, Raleigh (NC)) is the best of them, as he has a good frame that can fill out more and good range on his jumper. He drove and hit a short jumper on the baseline one time and was better from long range later in the day. Traylin Farris (6’8″ Sr. SF-PF, Rosharon (TX)) is a lefty who shot well during early drills and had some good moments on the day. Max Twyman (6’5″ Sr. SG-SF, Rye (NY)) had a nice summer and will try to keep that momentum going to become a Division I player. He should be this team’s glue guy, as he can shoot from long range and further displayed that on Tuesday, and does it well within the team concept. Hadi Abuzgaya (6’5″ Sr. SF, Scarborough (Ont.)) is a plus athlete with a slight frame who will also be in the mix. He broke up a 2-on-1 pass nicely one time and got a stickback in the middle of things later.
The biggest name on the team is undoubtedly Chris McCullough (6’9″ Sr. SF-PF, Bronx (NY)), who has been on the radar pretty much since he entered high school. A Syracuse commit, he’s very long and has a slight frame, and his body still hasn’t fully matured. In addition, he’s very athletic and quick off his feet, so he has the tools to be a good rebounder and has shown that he can do it before. His offense is tending more towards playing away from the basket, where the ball skills still need work, although he drove right by his man for a layup a couple of times. The good thing about that is he’s not falling into the trap many power forwards trying to transition to small forward do, which is hoisting up three-pointers all day before trying to develop a game off the bounce.
The one true post player on the team is newcomer Jarred Reuter (6’8″ Jr. PF, Rochester (MA)), who has a good frame and mature body. Although skilled enough to hit from mid-range facing the basket and a fine passer, his best work is done inside, where he can overpower others and get crafty with his moves as well. Also a fine young man, he struggled to score early on Tuesday but finished better as the workout went on.
There isn’t much different on the schedule this year from other years, not unlike the talent level. One change is that they will be in the City of Palms Classic with three other prep schools, including one from another country. While they look forward to that, the big goal is winning in NEPSAC and the national tournament, and as has been the case in recent years, they certainly have the personnel to do that.
