ESPN

With the unveiling of our MIAA All-State Teams for Boys and Girls late last week, the 2011-12 basketball season has come to close. But before we officially slam the book on another exciting season of hoop, and move on to spring sports, I wanted to get out a few thoughts on the landscape for next season.

To whet your appetite for the 2012-13 season, here are my early projections on the state's must-see teams to watch:

BOYS

Central Catholic - Plenty of talent returning with this squad, which captured the No. 1 overall spot in Division 1 North despite missing Luis Puello (ankle) for most of the season. ESPN Boston All-State guard Tyler Nelson returns as one of the state’s top shooters, but the Raiders also return all three of their regular bigs in Joel Berroa, Doug Gemmell and Nick Cambio.

New Mission – Apparently it’s never too early for bulletin board fodder, because head coach Cory McCarthy is already making some barnstorming rounds, telling ESPNBoston.com this afternoon that if the Titans don’t win the Division 2 state title next year, “I should be fired.” Bold, yes, but it’s hard not to like a lineup of Isshiah Coleman, Nate Anderson, Greg Bridges, Damion Smith and Shaquan Murray. There is some promising talent in those ranks.

Mansfield – Folks are talking about the Hornets being one of the South region’s top teams in two years’ time, between promising freshman Brendan Hill and sophomore Michael Hershman. I’m of the camp that believes with those two versatile parts, paired with a terrific coach in Mike Vaughan, the future is now.

Taunton – Shaquille O’Neal Davis. That’s legitimately his full name, and one you certainly will not forget by this time next year, for reasons that have nothing to do with The Big Aristotle.

West Springfield – Terriers return virtually everyone, including Chris Lipscomb, Paul Bessette, Andy McNulty, Dewey King, and leading scorer Riyadh Asad. West Side is the early favorite next year in Division 1 West.

St. John’s (Shrewsbury) – Junior transfer Tarik Octave was one of the nice surprises of the playoffs, and freshman Davon Jones has shades of former Pioneers great David White all over him (Doesn’t hurt that Jones was also the Pioneers’ starter at safety last fall, too). A boat load of underclassmen return, including Ken Harrington and T.J. Kelley, which should more than make up for the graduation of Matt Palecki.

Danvers – Falcons graduate 6-foot-7 center George Merry, an ESPN Boston All-State selection, but return some terrific guards. Nick McKenna, Nick Bates, Eric Martin and Dan Connors can all shoot the ball, and are perfectly-suited for John Walsh’s four-out offensive system. My early pick to repeat at D3 champs.

BC High – Eagles return what ought to be one of the state’s best backcourts in point guard Charles Collins and ESPN Boston All-State swingman Jameilen Jones. Throw into the mix one of the region’s best basketball minds in Bill Loughnane (he of four state titles) and it’s hard to think of the Eagles as anything but a favorite in the South.

Springfield Central – A plethora of talent graduates, including Chris Prophet, Lee Turner, Jevaughn McMilian, and ESPN Boston Super Teamer Tyrell Springer. But All-State forward Kamari Robinson should have another terrific season, and the way Cornelius Tyson exploded onto the scene in the Division 1 state final makes us all wonder if he’s about to realize the potential that many in the Springfield area have been talking about for so long.

Stoughton – Super Teamer Aaron Calixte and Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Middleton formed the state’s best backcourt in 2011-12. If all goes as planned, they’ll be well-equipped to defend that notion next season.

Wareham – Vikings might not endure an unbeaten regular season again next year. But another year of All-State point guard Darien Fernandez means they’re not going anywhere.

GIRLS

Braintree – Wamps started three freshmen this year: Ashley Russell, Bridget Herlihy, and 6-foot-1 center Molly Reagan. Expect them in conversation for state title contention from now until their time runs out in 2015.

Archbishop Williams – Ditto the Bishops, who have two 6-foot freshmen to look forward to the next three seasons. Add in sophomores Olivia Conrad and Leah Spencer, and their fiery mouthpiece Sara Ryan, and this could be another top-five team come December 2012.

Reading – The Rockets made a flawless run through the Division 2 gauntlet, winning their first Division 2 state title in school history as one of two final unbeaten squads in Massachusetts. Two-time Middlesex MVP and ESPN Boston All-State Olivia Healy returns, as does guard Morgan O’Brien.

Andover – Golden Warriors are expected to come down to Earth with the graduation of two-time ESPN Boston Miss Basketball, Nicole Boudreau, and UConn lacrosse commit Ally Fazio. What might be overlooked amidst Andover’s unprecedented run to a third straight state title is that there were plenty of terrific complimentary backcourt pieces in the underclass.

Central Catholic – Raiders treaded water after some injuries early on. But once junior forward Casey McLaughlin was back to full strength, they made a run all the way to the Division 1 North semifinals. Have to imagine they’ll be in conversation again next year.

THE SUPER TEAM

Guard – Aaron Calixte, Jr., Stoughton
An exceptional athlete gifted with a tenacious motor, and one of the state's most dynamic scorers, the 5-foot-11 Calixte was the driving force behind the Black Knight's run to the Division 2 Eastern Mass. final, and asserted himself as the state's premier point guard. For his junior season, he averaged 19 points and six assists, and was named a Hockomock League All-Star. Calixte also stands out on the gridiron for the Black Knights' football squad.

Guard – Tyrese Hoxter, Jr., Charlestown
After playing in the shadows of former All-Stater Akosa Maduegbunam a year ago, the 6-foot-3 Hoxter thoroughly burst onto the scene and had a monster campaign for the Townies, leading them to the TD Garden floor for the first time since 2005 before bowing out to Brockton in the Division 1 Eastern Mass. Final. This season he averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Guard – Tyrell Springer, Sr., Springfield Central
After falling short of a state title two seasons ago with New Leadership, the 6-foot-2 Springer led Central to the DCU Center floor this season where the Golden Eagles captured their first Division 1 state title since 1991. The centerpiece of one of the state's most athletic lineups, Springer averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, seven assists and 7.3 steals. He is undecided on college plans.

Forward – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
The 6-foot-8 Layman was one of the most dominant players in Massachusetts this season, with the ability to score both inside and out, as the Warriors set a school single-season record for wins (18) before suffering a surprise upset in the Division 2 South quarterfinals. In 21 games, he averaged 26.5 points, 16 rebounds, 5.8 blocks, 3.2 assists and three steals. He closes his career with with 1,752 points, 1,098 rebounds and 391 blocks, giving him career averages of 20.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 2.8 steals and 2.6 assists. This is his second appearance on the Super Team; he also captured the Hockomock League's MVP for the second straight season. Layman, who was named ESPN Boston's "Mr. Basketball" earlier this week, is ranked the nation's No. 62 overall senior by ESPN, and will continue his career next season at the University of Maryland.

Center – Sayvonn Houston, Sr., Brockton
A nightly double-double machine, Houston established himself as one of the state's most dominant true centers, making life difficult down low as the Boxers went 23-3 and made their first Division 1 state final appearance since 1985. He saved his biggest performances for the biggest stages, such as his 20-20 night in the Division 1 South semifinals, or his 22-point, 13-rebound effort in Brockton's overtime win over Charlestown in the Division 1 Eastern Mass. Final at TD Garden. Houston is undecided on college plans.

BEST OF THE REST

Jalen Adams, Soph. G, Melrose
Quickly rising as one of the Bay State's most complete scoring guards, the 6-foot-1 Adams took home Middlesex League MVP honors after averaging 21 points per game. He led the Red Raiders to an 18-2 regular season record, before they fell to state runner-up Brighton in the Division 2 North semifinals. Adams has already declared that he will be transferring to Wilbraham & Monson Academy next season, where he will reclassify to the Class of 2015.

Jaylen Blakely, Jr. G, Brockton
Like Houston, the 5-foot-11 Blakely saved some of his best performances for the crunch time in the playoffs, such as his eight-assist performance in the Boxers' win over Catholic Memorial. Blakely distributed evenly to Brockton's talented shooters and post players, as they went 23-3 and reached their first state final appearance since 1985.

Matt Droney, Sr. F, Catholic Memorial
A terrific shooter, the 6-foot-4 Droney was named the Catholic Conference's MVP after a season of averaging 20.7 points, six assists and five rebounds per game. He also became the eighth player in school history to surpass 1,000 points earlier this season. The Canton resident will be doing a post-graduate season next year at the Taft School in Connecticut.

Darien Fernandez, Jr. G, Wareham
The 5-foot-7 waterbug demonstrated a tenacious motor in leading the Vikings to their second Division 3 Eastern Mass. Final appearance in three seasons. Wareham was the state's last unbeaten before losing to state champion Danvers. For the season, Fernandez averaged 24 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and five steals, and recorded three triple-doubles. He needs just 45 points next season to reach 1,000 for his career.

Rony Fernandez, Sr. G, Charlestown
Fernandez was one of the most outstanding point guards of the MIAA tournament, leading the Townies to a thrilling win over Lexington in the Division 1 North final before bowing out to state runner-up Brockton in the Eastern Mass. Finals. For the season he averaged 16 points and seven assists. He is undecided on college plans, but is currently fielding interest from Division 1 programs such as Maine, Northeastern and Hartford.

Joey Glynn, Sr. F, Cardinal Spellman
The 6-foot-5 Abington resident did it all this season for the Cardinals, averaging a double-double (18.5 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, 2.2 blocks) as they lost to Eastern Mass. runner-up Wareham in the Division 3 South semifinals. For his career, Glynn scored 1,425 points. He will continue his career next season at Bentley University.

Steve Haladyna, Sr. G/F, St. John’s Prep
One of two repeat All-Staters, the 6-foot-3 Haladyna was unable to lead the Eagles deep in their Division 1 state title defense, but he still leaves the Danvers campus as one of its most decorated basketball stars. He averaged 22.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, both team highs, and for his career he finishes with 1,392 points -- second all-time on Prep's scoring list. The South Hamilton resident will continue his career next season at Tufts University.

Malik James, Soph. G, Brighton
The 6-foot-1 James elevated his game when the Bengals needed it most, as they made their first state final appearance in school history, falling to Mahar in the Division 2 title game. For the season, James averaged 18.1 points, 8.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds as the Bengals won their first-ever Eastern Mass. title.

Jameilen Jones, Jr. G, BC High
BC High's season came to an unexpected halt as the Eagles loss in the first round of the Division 1 South tournament, but the 6-foot-2 Jones has established himself as one of Eastern Mass.'s premier two-way players. For the season, he averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as the Eagles went 15-6.

Zach Karalis, Sr. G, North Andover
The 6-foot-1 Karalis was one of the driving forces for the Scarlet Knights, who went 21-2 and reached the playoffs an unprecedented 47th straight time. For the season he averaged 15.9 points and shot 46 percent from the field, to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals. Karalis will continue his career next season at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Kevin LaFrancis, Sr. C, Acton-Boxborough
After a stellar season in leading the 21-2 Colonials to a Division 1 North semifinal appearance, the 6-foot-6 LaFrancis was named the Dual County League's MVP. He averaged 19.5 points and eight rebounds this season, and finishes his career at A-B with 1,012 career points. He is undecided on college plans.

Alex Lopez, Sr. G, Springfield Commerce
The 5-foot-10 Lopez led the Valley League in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 22.3 points as the Red Raiders went to the Division 1 Western Mass. Finals and took state champion Springfield Central to the wire. He led Western Mass. in field goals made (185) and total points (512). Lopez is currently undecided on college plans.

Damian Lugay, Sr. G, Weymouth
The 6-foot-2 Lugay led the Wildcats to a second straight 17-win season, before they were bounced in the first round of the Division 1 South tournament. For the season he averaged 18.1 points and just under four assists, and leaves Weymouth as a two-time First Team All-Bay State Conference. Lugay is undecided on college plans.

George Merry, Sr. C, Danvers
At 6-foot-7, Merry was a force at both ends of the floor for the Falcons, known for his ability to redirect shots as much as his scoring touch. He averaged 16.1 points, eight rebounds and 6.6 blocks as Danvers captured its first Division 3 state championship in school history. Merry is currently undecided on college plans, but showing interest from several schools in Divisions 2 and 3.

Marcus Middleton, Jr. G, Stoughton
Tasked nightly with locking down the opposition's top scorer, Middleton established himself as one of the state's premier on-ball defenders. Middleton averaged 16 points per game for the Black Knights, who won the Division 2 South title before bowing out to state runner-up Brighton in the Eastern Mass. championship at TD Garden. Middleton also stars on Stoughton's football squad.

Matt Mobley, Sr. G/F, St. Peter-Marian
One of state's most pleasant late-blooming surprises, the 6-foot-3 Mobley was one of the leading scorers in Central Mass. as the Guardians made it all the way to the Division 1 Central Final. For the season, he averaged 23.2 points in leading SPM to its most successful season under head coach Marcus Watson. Mobley finished his career at SPM with 1,175 points, and will do a post-graduate season next year at Worcester Academy.

Tyler Nelson, Soph. G, Central Catholic
The 5-foot-11 Nelson established himself as one of the state's premier shooters, as the Raiders made it to the Division 1 North semifinals before bowing out to champion Charlestown. He averaged 15.5 points and four assists this season, shot 42 percent from three-point range, and 91 percent from the free throw line.

Colin Richey, Jr. G, Whitinsville Christian
After winning a Division 3 state title a year ago, the 6-foot Richey nearly led them back, as the Crusaders lost in the final seconds to state runner-up St. Joseph Central in the state semifinals. For the seaosn, Richey averaged 16.8 points, 6.7 assist and 6.3 rebounds for the Dual Valley League champions.

Kamari Robinson, Jr. F, Springfield Central
The 6-foot-5 Robinson was a rock underneath for the Golden Eagles, who captured their first Division 1 state title since 1991 and third overall. He was a nightly double-double threat this season, averaging 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists, as Central went undefeated in Massachusetts.

Michael Thorpe, Sr. G, Newton North
The Tigers went run-and-gun this season, and the 5-foot-11 Thorpe kept them thoroughly going. One year after reaching the Division 1 South finals, he nearly led them back, before losing to state runner-up Brockton in the semifinals. He was named the Bay State Conference's MVP, with averages of 15 points and four assists. Thorpe will continue his career next season at Emerson College.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MARCUS MIDDLETON, STOUGHTON
The kind of on-ball pressure Middleton provided nightly to some of the state's premier scorers can take its toll physically, but he was routinely up to the task. As teammate Aaron Calixte saw a barrage of double-teams and box-and-one's, Middleton did his part at the other end, hedging off screens and staying one one's hip, chasing them all over the floor. As much praise as Calixte will get in this unprecedented season for the Knights, an equal amount must be thrown Middleton's way.

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
G – Marcus Middleton, Jr., Stoughton
G – Anthony Hodges, Sr., Holy Name
G – Darien Fernandez, Jr., Wareham
F – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
C – George Merry, Sr., Danvers

COACH OF THE YEAR
HUGH COLEMAN, BRIGHTON
The Bengals lost their best player before the start of the tournament, and backpedaled into the playoffs with uninspiring losses to Acton-Boxborough and Madison Park. Yet in the end, they were one step away from the school's first-ever state title. Coleman is an unabashed disciple of the legendary Jack O'Brien, and staples of those historic Charlestown squads are sprinkled all over the program. Not only has Coleman done a remarkable job bringing the team to heights never before reached in his three seasons at the helm, but this is a program that will be dangerous for the next few years.

RUNNERS-UP:
Paul Connolly, Newton North
Dean O'Connor, Franklin

FINALISTS:
Kevin Brogioli, Wareham
John Gallivan, Stoughton
Reggie Hobbs, Lexington
Malcolm Smith, East Boston
Chad Softic, Mahar
John Walsh, Danvers
Dennis Wilson, Madison Park

BOSTON — Danvers head coach John Walsh knew it wasn’t a time to panic.

Even after Wareham scored the first 10 points of the second half and grabbed its first lead since the first bucket of the game, Walsh stood firm and let his players decide to figure it out for themselves.

Boy did they ever. Danvers went on a 24-4 run after losing the lead to hand the Vikings (24-1) their first loss of the season in the Div. 3 state semifinals in a 68-45 win, on Monday at the TD Garden.

“We only had three (timeouts) left,” said Walsh. “With five minutes left I was going to call the timeout, but we had used two earlier in the backcourt. I said screw it. If it becomes a nip-and-tuck game then we are going to need that other timeout.

“If they had scored one more hoop I would have called the timeout. We came down and hit a big shot, and then another shot.”

Stefan Montiero and Aaron Baptiste took dishes from Darien Fernandez and deposited them for 3-pointers to begin the 10-0 run, and Fernandez capped it off with a hoop for a 32-30 lead.

Nick McKenna finally got Danvers on the board in the half with a 3-pointer and then the points started to come in a flurry. Nick Bates hit back-to-back 3s to stretch the lead back to seven points. After Fernandez got to the dish again, the Falcons scored 15 of the next 17 points to take full command of the game.

“They went into a zone so the shooters on the team knew that we had to open it up from the outside and hit a couple of shots,” said Bates, who finished the game with 17 points. “That opened it up on the inside and that’s how we get back into games.”

McKenna scored four straight buckets in the run and finished with 12 points for the game, while George Merry led the team with 22 points.

Guarding Fernandez: It’s one thing when you see a talented point guard play and get used to his tendencies, but the Falcons only heard of the talents that Fernandez brings to the table.

The Falcons’ defenders had to just adjust to what they were seeing on the Garden floor instead of what game tapes or X’s and O’s could be drawn up in preparation leading up game time.

“He’s a great player,” said Bates. “We just had to go out there and do it on our own this time. The coaching staff usually has all the plays drawn up for us when we go against the teams from the NEC, but today we didn’t know much about (Wareham), so we kind of had to go out there and just learn it on the fly and play basketball.”

Fernandez finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, but the Falcons kept his assist numbers low (four) and forced the talented Vikings guard into committing turnovers.

“It’s tough. I like to go the lane and they were 6-8, 6-6, so I had to alter my shot more,” said Fernandez. “I was trying to drive and kick, but their guards did a good job of hitting the ball from behind. I had a lot of turnovers too.”

Strong Start, No Nerves: Nobody would begrudge either team for being nervous on probably one of the biggest stages in high school basketball, but the Falcons came out strong as if it was just another game.

As a team the Falcons shot 9-of-14 from the floor and built a 21-9 lead after one.

“I think it was more that we were just ready,” said Merry. “We were excited and ready to play. I think in warm-ups we were nervous because it was a huge gym and big atmosphere. … You are playing on the parquet and some of the greatest players in the game played on that floor. We thought we could do the same, got in the zone and did our thing.”

BOSTON -- Winning is something Wareham has been familiar with this season. They have beaten opponents by an average margin of 18 points per game all season, and continued their undefeated season after a 70-65 win over Martha’s Vineyard today.

They were also used to having a team come back from their initial run in the first quarter, something they have faced lately. Wareham went on a 19-3 run in the first quarter, but Vineyard fought back all game long to make it a barn burner.

“It got close a few times. Cardinal Spellman did the same thing to us,” said Wareham head coach Kevin Brogioli. “We had a lead on them and they came back and we were able to answer their runs. I feel like we did the same thing to Vineyard.”

“They just came back, I wouldn’t say we lost our momentum though,” said Wareham star junior point guard Darien Fernandez, who finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and five steals. He was the one model of consistency throughout the game.

Vineyard (21-3) started off the second quarter with an 8-2 run, led by their center Charlie Everett. The senior came off the bench and scored 10 points in the second quarter off of drives from the elbow. With 2:08 remaining, he finished an emphatic and-one lay-up to make it a 12-point game.

In the third quarter, the Vineyarders continued to fight back. This time it was their junior guard Jack Roberts who caught fire scoring nine of his 14 total points from all over the floor. Vineyard pushed it to a four-point game at one point in the third but could not manage to get over the hump.

Wareham (24-0) and Vineyard traded baskets for the entire fourth quarter. At the 1:28 mark, Vineyard began fouling and could not finish in the clutch. Aaron Baptiste hit five free-throws in the last minute to seal the deal.

Battle of the Bigs: When asked about Everett’s 22 points and 12 rebound performance, Wareham’s Brogioli responded, “Is he a senior, I hope?”

The 6-5 center gave Wareham fits in the first half with his quickness and good finishing ability around the hoop.

“We knew him coming off of the bench would be tough for us,” said Brogioli. “We thought Houde could cover him in the first half and he didn’t but in the second half he did.”

“We did everything we could to stop him in the first half,” he added. “In the second half, we tried to bring a guard down to keep swiping at the ball. I think that helped a little bit.”

Wareham’s 6-foot-5 center Jeff Houde was equally impressive down the stretch. Houde played defense straight up, which altered many shots in the lane. He also nailed a critical turn around jump shot in the fourth quarter. Houde finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Fernandez Does It Again: Darien Fernandez managed to fill up the box score yet again. Fernandez hit numerous acrobatic lay-ups and shots, but Vineyard’s head coach Michael Joyce thought there was something else special about Fernandez’s performance

Said Joyce, “Fernandez kept taking it out of our guys’ hands. His points and offense is great but I think his steals and rebounding helped make the difference for them.”

At times throughout the game, Fernandez was taken out of his rhythm and had to make adjustments. He turned the ball over six times but eventually managed to hold on to it for the win.

“They played a triangle and two on us so it was kind of a different look. Coach [Brogioli] called a timeout, we broke it, and eventually they changed out of it.”

These kind of adjustments are what great teams make in order to win. That is exactly why Wareham continued their win streak today and punched their ticket to the TD Garden.

He leads the last remaining undefeated team in the state. He fills up the box score with lines resembling those of LeBron James or Rajon Rondo on a regular basis. He stands at 5-foot-7. Who could this be?

He is none other than Wareham’s Darien Fernandez, arguably the MIAA’s biggest surprise of the season.

Fernandez has had an unbelievably productive year for Wareham, a team that began the season unranked in many polls, and has been proving those who slept on him wrong for doing so. Wednesday night at Taunton High, the Vikings face Cardinal Spellman in a Division 3 South semifinal. When these two teams met back in December, Fernandez went off for 36 points in a Wareham victory -- could a repeat performance be on tap?

For those who have not seen him, here is a breakdown of his game:

This footage from Wareham’s victory over Old Rochester Regional and is courtesy of Wareham assistant coach Colbey Santos. In this game, Fernandez had a near quadruple-double with 36 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, and eight steals.

Shot Making

Fernandez’s best skill is his ability to shoot the ball. He is at his best off of the dribble, but also shows the ability to catch-and-shoot almost equally well. He has deep range on his shot and is definitely not afraid to pull the trigger.



As seen from the clips, Fernandez has the ability to make some ridiculous shots. This confidence allows Fernandez to make shots that a video game player would envy. His ability to change speeds also helps his off-the-dribble shooting. In the last two clips, Fernandez uses a quick crossover multiple times to get enough space to put it in the basket.

Fernandez’s shooting is particularly interesting because he does not shoot with traditional form. Sometimes those kinds of players are the best shooters. Watch his free-throw form:



The way Fernandez flicks his wrist is a bit unconventional, but it is hard to complain with his results.

Nose For the Ball

Having the ability to steal and rebound the ball the way Fernandez does is an invaluable to a team. He helps his team gain extra possessions because of his nose for the ball. Statistics show that a team with the most possessions typically wins a game and this is most likely the reason why Wareham has been so successful.



All undersized guards should try to develop a nose for the ball like Fernandez. Being undersized is undoubtedly a disadvantage but if you have a motor and desire to get the ball like Fernandez, size will not matter.

On-point Passing

Fernandez does not only do a bulk of the scoring for his team, but he commands the offense and gets good look for his teammates. He is not flashy and makes the easy pass. That is the sign of a mature player.

Forcing the Issue

Fernandez may seem like a perfect player and this performace was nearly perfect, but there are definitely things he needs to work on. The main thing would be better decision making, which will come with more experience.



In these clips, Fernandez forces the issue a bit. Since he is the go-to player for Wareham, some of these mistakes or unreasonable shots were excusable. Think about it like Kobe Bryant for the Lakers. Kobe is allowed to take wild shots because he is their leader and main scoring option. The same goes for Fernandez.

Conclusion

Fernandez is an aggressive scoring guard with an excellent feel for the game. He uses his quickness to break down defenders and forces defenses to guard him from everywhere on the court with his unlimited range. Obviously, this one game was simply a sample of his whole season (and undoubtedly one of his best performances), but there’s no denying that Fernandez is an up-and-comer that MIAA fans should keep their eye on.

Every year, there is that one player who explodes onto the scene in the MIAA boys basketball tournament and puts many a college scout on notice.

Last year, it was 6-foot-8 Jake Layman leading King Philip to its most successful season in history and a surprise appearance in the Division 2 South final, before signing with Maryland last November and leading the Warriors to a 17-3 campaign this year. Before him, it was Pat Connaughton, averaging nearly a 20-20 in the 2010 playoffs for St. John's Prep before signing with Notre Dame in two sports and delivering the Eagles their first state title last March. And before him, it was Central Catholic's 6-foot-11 stud Carson Desrosiers, a nightly triple-double threat with three-point range who led the Raiders to two state titles in three seasons before moving on to Wake Forest.

Who is the next Jake Layman, Pat Connaughton or Carson Desrosiers? Below are 11 underclassmen that could fit the bill and why. As always, the names of opposing coaches questioned for comment are withheld. ESPN analyst and New England Recruiting Report founder Adam Finkelstein also weighs in with additional comments.

NOTE: We had Central Catholic's Tyler Nelson and New Mission's Nate Anderson on this list last year, with high praise, and so for that reason we're excluding them this time around.

JALEN ADAMS, MELROSE
6-1, Soph. G
Why he matters: One of several players on this list to first build hype after a good run with nationally-recognized AAU powerhouse Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC), Adams is considered the total package by some. With his combination of court vision and athleticism, Adams is a nightly threat averaging 20.7 points per game. The Boston native navigated the Red Raiders through a tough Middlesex League field, winning the the Small division and earning a No. 2 seed in Division 2 North at 18-2.
What opposing coaches are saying: “He’s competitive, I think his strength is his court vision. He’s explosive, he can get to rim, and I think one of his other big strengths is that he can defend at a high level...I think Jalen is the most talented point guard in the state of Massachusetts. He’s got a bright future in front of him. He has unbelievable spring in his step and gets off the floor quick. He can shoot the three, he can get by you quickly, he’ll dunk in traffic, and when he wants be a great defender there isn’t anyone that can get by him...He’s just like Shabazz Napier was as a sophomore at Charlestown. That’s honestly who I’d compare him to...When he wants to, he can defend –- he is a five-tool player. Out of all of them, he’s a five-tool kid because he’s quick, he can score, he can shoot off the bounce, and he hits his free throws.”
ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein: "Adams has a variety of tools that can't be taught. First he has all the physical tools being long, quick, and athletic. Secondly, he's got an instinctive knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. Put the two together, the type of plays he's able to make help his game to translate well to the next level. He still needs to shoot the ball more consistently and potentially learn to be more of a point guard given his size."

BRUCE BROWN, WAKEFIELD
6-3, Fr. F
Why he matters: The Warriors' return to prominence has been one of the nicer stories in D2 North. And while there are some talented upperclassmen taking the lead role, Brown's presence (13.6 points per game) has been just as integral -- odd that we're saying that about a freshman, right? Brown is already drawing considerable hype following some play with the BABC, and he's drawn comparisons to other BABC swingmen like Charlestown's Tyrese Hoxter of Tilton (N.H.) super soph Wayne Selden. An explosive rebounder with great hops, Brown could be the X-factor in D2 North.
Opposing coaches: “The first thing that sticks out is his ability to defend. The second thing I like about him is his ability -– again, like Jalen [Adams] -– to get all the way to the rim. He has a chance to play at a high level of Division 1 if you were to ask me right now...Bruce Brown might be like Tyrese Hoxter 2.0 -– for real. They’re the same player. He struggle with his jump shot, OK, but he really attacks the open floor, and he wants to win. The difference between him and Tyrese is his IQ, but he could be Tyrese right now in a year...He’s a super athlete, he dunks everything. He is a man among boys, but he also is super competitive. That is one competitive [expletive] kid. He hates to lose.”
Finkelstein: "He's just a youngster as a freshman, but you love his physical upside. Given a few years to continue to develop and polish his skill set, and this guy has all the requisite tools to develop into a very good prospect. He plays above the rim at a young age, has the type of frame that appears poised to evolve into a great body, and plenty of burst both with his first step as well as his leaping ability."

AARON CALIXTE, STOUGHTON
5-11, Jr. G
Why he matters: Already a household name in the minds of many, this could be Calixte's defining month in MIAA basketball. He's considered the state's top point guard by some, and hasn't done anything to disprove that, going off for 20 to 25 points on a nightly basis after garnering hype over the offseason with the New England Playaz AAU program. One of several players on this list with football prowess, his athleticism makes him a matchup problem on the offensive end. Combined with tenacious two-way guard Marcus Middleton, the Black Knights might have the best backcourt in the state. Calixte currently averages 18.6 points per game, and holds offers from Towson and Quinnipiac.
Opposing coaches: “As a passer I think he’s phenomenal, I think that’s his best skill. Really good players just score, great players make other people around them better, and that’s truly his gift. When he goes out there and sees essentially two people guard him at all times –- one face-guarding, and another stationary for help –- instead of forcing a score, he has the uncanny knack to find the open man...Aaron’s that kind of kid. He’s the kind of kid that, if I were a kid, I’d like to play with. He plays extremely hard...I’ve been watching him since sixth grade. Solid, solid, solid, strong and understands the game. More than anything else, I think he’s got great character.”
Finkelstein: "Calixte really started to show signs last summer of being able to take his game to that next level. Most guards create their offense going north to south in the open floor, but Calixte is the rare player who can break his man down from a standstill in the quarter court. He's got a quick first step and a super strong core in order to absorb contact all the way to the rim. He's another though who must shoot it better and learn the nuances of the point guard position."

NICK CAMBIO, CENTRAL CATHOLIC
6-5, Soph. F
Why he matters: He's not even the most prolific forward for the 20-1 Raiders -- that would full unto juniors Joel Berroa and Doug Gemmell. But coaches rave about Cambio's upside, with a game befitting a typical stretch-four forward at the college level. He can dust it up inside, but also has three-point range, as dangerous on the pick-and-roll as pick-and-pop. Lately, he's been saving his best performances for the most clutch moments -- see his winning play in the Raiders' 58-57 thriller over St. John's Prep, slipping behind the defense on a backdoor play and laying home a beautiful dish from Berroa.
Opposing coaches: “Nick is very talented. He has a great basketball body. Good length, and a good rebounder who can play inside and out. He plays the perimeter very well, and defensively he presses well. Great stroke, very good player...He’s a prototype face-up four guy, he can stretch out a lot of things. He’s very active and he’s got a high skill level too. You don’t see that in kid that young very often...Big, active, skilled, there’s not a whole lot not to like about his game. He’s kind of unique in the fact that he plays both inside and out, especially at this level for his age. You don’t see that a lot. The system he’s in has him playing mostly inside, but I know he can shoot and do a lot of different things. He’s definitely a unique type of player.”
Finkelstein: "He's a big forward with a smooth perimeter skill set, and that's a prototype you're finding more and more in the college game these days. Ten years ago every college program was playing with three perimeter players, but now both forwards play on the perimeter with four guys around a single post. That makes guys like Cambio all the more coveted at that level, especially if he's able to add a couple inches to his frame."

ISSHIAH COLEMAN, NEW MISSION
6-5, Jr. F
Why he matters: Nicknamed "Plastic Man" by his own head coach, Coleman is the spark plug in the paint for a green but talented Titans squad. The defending D2 champs have had their ups and downs this season, but one of the most consistent performers has been Coleman. A menacing shot-swatter with a 38-inch vertical leap, Coleman is known for his high energy and seemingly endless bounce in his step, swaying momentum with a block or dunk. This season, he is averaging 15 rebounds and eight blocks.
Opposing coaches: “Solid, solid player. 6-foot-5, has a 38-inch vertical, definite high-D2 player I think due to, you know, I don’t think he’s going to cap off at 6-7, 6-8 or anything. But come on, he is a monster down there. Just a monster...He is a human pogo stick. I saw a block where he jumped over a kid. His athleticism is just stupid. His vertical is absolutely ridiculous.”
Finkelstein: "Again, Coleman has the requisite physical tools you look for in a prospect for the next level. He's long and cut with easy bounce. His dexterity around the rim is also impressive as he's a guy who can dunk the basketball with both hands in the course of a play. He's got signs of skill that show through his bursts of athleticism, and he'll need to continue to develop that area of his game for the next level."

DARIEN FERNANDEZ, WAREHAM
5-7, Jr. G
Why he matters: From his halfcourt buzzer-beater that made SportsCenter's Top Plays, to his near-quadruple-double against Old Rochester last month, the junior waterbug point guard has been in fifth gear all season. With a stocky running back's frame built low to the ground (think Ray Rice or Maurice Jones-Drew), Fernandez is as physical as they come on both ends of the floor, charging through the lane fearlessly or harrassing players around the floor down at the other end. He's the biggest reason why the Vikings are the state's last remaining unbeaten, averaging 25 points a game to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. He is also drawing low Division 1 interest in both football and basketball.
Opposing coaches: “Love that kid, love him. I would love to see him and Aaron [Calixte] play against each other. He has a lot of the same traits as player. I don’t know if he’s quite the passer Aaron is, but I know defensively he’s better than Aaron is. He really gets after it on the ball...Against Cardinal Spellman, he dominated. It’s four categories with him –- points, rebounds, assists, steals –- and he plays really hard...That’s a nightmare matchup for us. He gave us a whole bunch of problems. He’s quick, he’s tough, he’s got a will, he’s got intestinal fortitude. But Darien, do me a favor: You are a football player. Enjoy this basketball, but take that scholarship for football, will you?”
Finkelstein: "His ability to create offense for both himself and his teammates makes him one of the most dependable playmaking guards in all of the MIAA. He's a little undersized but he knows how to utilize his physical tools to his advantage -- he's like a bulldog guard who plays lower to the ground than the competition and is able to get under defenders with his great core strength."

TYRESE HOXTER, CHARLESTOWN
6-3, Jr. G/F
Why he matters: In just two seasons with the Charlestown varsity, Hoxter has scored 760 points. And that's with playing second fiddle last season to All-Stater Akosa Maduegbunam, who is finishing at Winchendon and is expected to sign with Penn State. The hype with Hoxter started last summer after some nice runs with the BABC, and he's more than lived up to the billing. He's averaging 20.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the 16-4 Townies, and has established himself as one of the state's top pure scorers. The Townies have had their ups and downs, but Hoxter has been the constant driving the engine.
Opposing coaches: “Come on, come on, get me on record with this one, please. Listen, let me tell you something, I saw him when he was a sixth-grader at Edwards Middle School. I told everybody in the city, [he’s a] bona fide Division 1 basketball player. Best player there is right now. There’s not a better public high school player in the state. Forget about it, he’s the best player running around. Mid to high-major player in my mind...He’s better than Akosa Maduegbunam was last year. Akosa’s got more of a jump shot, but this kid’s cerebral, he’s very intelligent, he’s got the whole nine. He doesn’t look athletic, but he’s athletic as hell and if he ever stood straight up he’d be 6-foot-5...Out of everybody, he’s the one player that could make a bad team good team instantly, besides Jake Layman. If you put him on a team like, say for instance, Arlington, they wouldn’t be a .500 team -– they’d win the Middlesex League. You play zone against him, and he’ll get you before it even sets up. Man, he’ll dribble up the left side of the court and go right the whole time.”
Finkelstein: "He's another guy who really started to prove himself against a high level of competition during the last AAU season and appears poised to make an even bigger name for himself this spring and summer. As an athletic southpaw, he creates all kinds of mismatches, and is equally dangerous on the defensive end where his length and quickness make him a tremendous asset in run-and-jump situations."

MALIK JAMES, BRIGHTON
6-1, Soph. G
Why he matters: Hugh Coleman's turnaround with the Bengals' program has been one of the nicest stories of the season, and James is one of several playmaking guards spearheading the movement. His creativity has coaches around the Boston City League raving, and his averages (15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds) back up the assertion. He's been hampered by an ankle injury since the Acton-Boxborough loss two weeks ago, so we'll see how he does going forward.
Opposing coaches: “Rajon Rondo of the BPS, that’s all he is. Rajon Rondo of the City League, that’s it. Flat out player. Low-D1 player...He’s pretty explosive, that kid. Good spring in his step, and he plays the game above the rim. He can go inside-out, too –- he is not afraid to mix it up inside.”
Finkelstein: "What I like about James is that while he has shown he can be the scorer and playmaker that his team needs to win games at the high school level, he shows some flashes of having the feel for the game and basketball intellect that it will take to play the point guard position at the next level, in terms of his court vision and being able to play the pick and roll."

JAMEILEN JONES, BC HIGH
6-3, Jr. G
Why he matters: The Eagles are one of the most dangerous teams headed into the D1 South tournament, and one of the biggest reasons is Jones' scoring ability and game IQ. An athletic off-guard who is aggressive without ever looking rattled, he is one of the Catholic Conference's most difficult players to mark. While the Eagles keep the scoring low, it's Jones making many of the team's clutch shots from the field. Defensively, he's a cornerstone of head coach Bill Loughnane's vaunted 1-3-1 scheme, and is a big reason why the Eagles are allowing under 48 points per game.
Opposing coaches: “Very athletic, very athletic. I know there’s rumblings about him transferring to prep school, but he’s a smart kid and I know he can get an Ivy League spot coming directly out of BC High. I think the Ivy League would be perfect for him...He’s very good. He’s another one of those spring-in-his-step guys. He’s off the ground twice before most kids even get off the ground once. He has good range from outside, he’s extremely athletic getting to the rim, and he’s way above rim when he plays...I think Jameilen Jones is the best one-on-one defender out of everybody left. Easily, too.”
Finkelstein: "Jones is another player who separates himself from the competition by virtue of his physical tools. He's a big wing by MIAA standards, with a devastating combination of power and explosiveness, that is supplemented by a good motor and unselfish floor game. Not unlike others on this list, he has a tendency to get stuck in first gear and will need to expand his half-court skill set before arriving at the next level."

COLIN RICHEY, WHITINSVILLE CHRISTIAN
6-2, Jr. G
Why he matters: In the Crusaders Division 3 state championship campaign last season, they were able to rely on a slew of long upperclassmen, led by 6-foot-9 All-State center Hans Miersma. This season, with all those kids graduated, it has been Richey's team to guide. Whitinsville is a much shorter team by its own standards, but there hasn't been much drop-off. He leads the Crusaders in scoring at 18.4 points per game, and has them penned as a favorite in D3 once again.
Opposing coaches: “He’s great, kind of a throwback-type player, with a little bit of city ball in him as well. He reminds me of Jimmy Chitwood from the movie ‘Hooisers’, he shoots the heck out of it. But he’s also got a little bit of ‘The Professor’ from the And-1 Mixtape Tour in him –- know what I mean? Great handle. He’s a great player, I enjoy watching him...Every team wishes they had a kid like him. He’s not scared. He wants to get 30 points, but at the same time he wants to make sure he’s the guy that makes the team win -– that’s not selfish, in my opinion...When they lose, he looks like he’s ready to go back into the gym and start taking jump shots immediately. He wants to be good so bad, that it makes rest of his team look good.”
Finkelstein: “The high school game is dominated by guards, most of whom make their impact with their ability to score the ball. Richey can do the same, but what separates him from others is the fact that he's a pure point guard, and that's going to make him especially valuable long-term. He comes with all the intangibles a coach looks for in their floor leader, and has also seen his body evolve quite a bit in the last year.”

KAMARI ROBINSON, SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL
6-5, Jr. F
Why he matters: Another player who first got noticed with the BABC, Robinson hasn't been the brightest star for the newly-anointed No. 1 Golden Eagles -- that would be senior Tyrell Springer -- but his importance goes without saying. With a game similar to that of Brockton senior center Sayvonn Houston, and a threat for a nightly double-double Robinson is a physical player underneath, bringing enough attention inside to facilitate spacing and open looks for the Eagles' talented stable of wing players.
Opposing coaches: “I had the opportunity to watch him when he played for Leo Papile [with BABC]. Very tough, very tough. I think his upside is tremendous, just huge...If he was playing out here [Boston area] he’d be compared to some of the top players in the state. For him, out of all the Central kids he’s probably the biggest game-changer. Playing with an elite scorer like Tyrell Springer helps too…You see a lot of man-to-man in Western Mass., and because of Springer he doesn’t get double-teamed as much so he can go off on people. He’s unassuming sort of, but he kills people...I feel like Springfield kids have that competitiveness to them, that fire, you know? But because of who he plays with, he’s the glue of that team.”
Finkelstein: “He's an explosive athlete -- quick off his feet, able to play high above the rim, rise up for pull-ups, and even muscle through contact with a chiseled frame. Combine that with his good size for the wing positions and he's got all the physical tools college coaches look for and require for the next level. He's still got to learn to slow down at times and continue to polish his skill set, but the base is there to be a strong prospect for the next level."


Others to watch
Drew Belcher, Soph. F, Reading
Joel Berroa, Jr. F, Central Catholic
Jaylen Blakely, Jr. G, Brockton
Sam Bohmiller, Jr. G, Franklin
Greg Bridges, Fr. G, New Mission
Jimmy Campbell, Fr. G, Hamilton-Wenham
Stephen Carangelo, Jr. G, Lynnfield
Derek Collins, Jr. G, North Andover
Marcos Echevarria, Fr. G, St. John’s Prep
Daivon Edwards, Jr. G, Brighton
Michael Hershman, Soph. G, Mansfield
Brendan Hill, Fr. F, Mansfield
Connor McLeod, Jr. G, Needham
Marcus Middleton, Jr. G, Stoughton
Tommy Mobley, Fr. G, Newton North
Dakim Murray, Jr. F, Madison Park
Isaiah Nelsen, Jr. F, North Andover
Max Nesbit, Jr. G, Manchester-Essex
Mick Snowden, Soph. G, Fitchburg
Tyree Weston, Fr. F, New Bedford
Taris Wilson, Soph. G, Charlestown

WAREHAM, Mass. -- Kevin Brogioli recalls the day some 10 years ago when his wife came home from teaching first grade in Wareham, telling him about a student of hers performing high jumps on a field trip.

"She said, 'You're gonna notice this kid'," Brogioli recalled.

Fast forward to tonight, before a packed house and the host Wareham High Vikings staring down an 18-0 start against South Coast rival Bourne, and all eyes are noticing this fire hydrant of endless energy suffer through one of his worst halves of the season. Junior point guard Darien Fernandez is flying all over the court, but unable to channel that frenetic energy in the first 16 minutes, picking up his second foul six minutes into the contest and starting off a mere 1 for 7 from the field.

Wareham High principal Scott Palladino is standing under the baseline at the far end of the court, explaining what a mature student Fernandez is becoming, when it all erupts in the third quarter.

First, Fernandez spins through two defenders in the lane and flips the ball behind his head to forward Jeff Houde, who is promptly swatted on his layup attempt. Next trip down, Fernandez drives to his left and delivers a no-look pass across the paint for an easy basket.

Then there's this neat little finish: starting from the blocks at his own end, he pushes across halfcourt with long, gliding strides, then cuts diagonally across the paint from the right elbow and switches hands mid-air for a reverse layup through two more defenders.

"Like a man with boys out there, isn't he?" Palladino chuckles.

Such is the allure of watching a player like Fernandez. A waterbug of a lead guard, built low to the ground with a running back's frame and seemingly permanent bounce, the 5-foot-7 Onset resident's motor keeps the transition-happy Vikings in fifth gear for extended amounts of time.

When he's on, he can turn the game into a spectacle. Tuesday night's win over Old Rochester saw Fernandez come two steals from a quadruple-double (36 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, eight steals). A month and a half ago, Fernandez made SportsCenter with this ridiculous half-court shot in a win over Cardinal Spellman.

When he's off, he still makes things go on the defensive end with his on-ball defense. Often tonight, he picked up the ballhandler immediately with his hands raised, unafraid to invade his opponent's personal space, funneling him to either sideline. With his low center of gravity, he's able to be a nuisance all night -- as long as he doesn't hack away (Fernandez picked up four fouls, all reaching violations).

"He's a competitor," Brogioli said. "He's just got something burning inside of him. He hates to lose. When the games, get tight, he will take over. There's just something about him that's such an aggressiveness, that I've seen in very few athletes I've had."

Just like growing up.

"He was always off the wall," laughs Houde, who has known Fernandez since Kindergarten. "It was like he was always on a sugar rush. He was always crazy like that."

Asked about his on-ball defense, Fernandez just shrugs -- "I don't know, guess it's just from trying to stay aggressive," he says.

Brogioli's father Jim -- he of over 400 wins, a state title in 1977, and for whom which this court is named after -- draws up a comparison to former Wareham great and current San Diego Charger Stephen Cooper, when asked about Fernandez. The two have obviously different body types, but both possess the same hell-bent approach to the game, though the elder Brogioli notes Fernandez is quicker.

Among point guards to come through Wareham, the elder Brogioli thinks Fernandez could be one of the best when all is said and done. He isn't afraid to compare him to Michael Dias, the point guard on that 1977 squad who went on to a quality career at C.W Post.

"Darien can do some of the things Michael did, as far as passing the ball off," he said.

The younger Brogioli agrees.

"Michael might have been more of a floor general in some ways," he said. "But Darien can do some things physically that Michael -- no offense, I played with him -- that he couldn't do."

Fernandez heats up in the second half, totaling 13 points on the night as the Vikings outscore the Canalmen 38-20 in the second half to win going away, 62-41. Not his best of nights, but still enough to draw prose from all over.

"Tough as nails," Bourne head coach Scott Ashworth said. "Shoots the ball well, can get the ball to the basket, he's tough to match up with -- zone, man, doesn't matter. He's got a bright future."

How bright? That has yet to be determined, but he's starting to garner some interest from low to mid-major Division 1 schools -- Bryant, Albany, Vermont, New Hampshire, Hofstra and Quinnipiac among the suitors that have reached out.

Last season, shooting was an issue with Fernandez, with a hot-cold streakiness and a herky-jerky motion about him. Now, he presents a more repeatable, textbook motion, with a quicker release, higher arc and more consistent ball rotation. Kevin Brogioli also noted a more dangerous pull-back jumper in his repertoire -- "I don't know how you can cover him in man-to-man when his pull-back is working for him," he said.

All of it makes the Vikings, clouded at the beginning of the season with some question marks about roster turnover, one of the Division 3 South district's toughest anticipated outs as the state tournament nears. Brogioli estimates about 75 percent of practices consist of transition and fast break drills, and it's evident on the court. From Houde to Tyler Gomes to Aaron Baptiste, the Vikings aren't the biggest team on the court, but could be one of the fastest.

And when Fernandez is dialed in?

"If he messes up or throws the ball away, I'd say eight times out of 10 he's going to come up with the steal within five seconds," Brogioli laughs. "He's just...something kicks into another gear when that happens."

Must be some fine sugar.

Wareham junior point guard Darien Fernandez made Sporscenter's Top 10 Plays earlier this week for this amazing halfcourt shot just before halftime in a win over Cardinal Spellman last weekend. The 5-foot-4 waterbug totaled 36 points in the game.

Watch the first 10 seconds of this clip from BallasTV.com, as the ball takes a few spins around the rim before sinking in: