ESPN

New London (Conn.) point guard Kris Dunn and King Philip forward Jake Layman were among the 24 players who have accepted invitations to the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team Training camp, to take place June 5-12 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Following the first three or four days of training camp, finalists for the team will be selected by the USA Men’s Junior National Team Committee and will continue to train at the USOTC. The official, 12-member 2012 USA Men’s U18 National Team will be selected prior to the team’s departure for the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, which will be played June 16-20 in Sao Sebastiáo do Paraiso, Brazil. Players eligible for this competition must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1994.

The complete roster of training camp invitees can be found by clicking here.

ESPNHS unveiled its All-American basketball team for the 2011-12 season today, and making the list is Tilton (N.H.) center Nerlens Noel and New London (Conn.) point guard Kris Dunn.

The 6-foot-10 Noel, who last week announced his commitment to Kentucky on ESPNU, was named to the First Team, alongside Bishop Gorman (Nev.) swingman Shabazz Muhammad, St. Anthony (N.J.) forward Kyle Anderson, Flower Mound Marcus (Texas) guard Marcus Smart, and Simeon (Ill.) forward Jabari Parker. Dunn, a Providence signee and the nation's No. 2 overall point guard, was named to the Fourth Team. That adds to what was a dedicated career at New London -- a state championship, four All-State selections, a McDonald's All-American selection, Gatorade Player of the Year, and over 2,000 career points.

You can view the entire team by clicking here. Below is what ESPNHS' panel had to say about its selections of Noel and Dunn:

FIRST TEAM
C -- Nerlens Noel, Tilton School (Tilton, N.H.) 6-11 Sr.
The nation's best shot-blocker impacted the game on the defensive end more than any player in the country. Noel averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots for the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Council Class AA runner-up. With his timing and ability to stay out of foul trouble, many national scouts think the Kentucky recruit is the best long-term prospect in this group.

FOURTH TEAM
G -- Kris Dunn, New London (New London, Conn.) 6-3 Sr.
As a senior, the Providence recruit was a scoring machine for the 23-3 team with a 31.4 per game average. He also had norms of 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals a game while shooting 60 percent on 2-point goals. In one game versus Stonington, he had 32 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 steals. Dunn, a three-time all-state selection, is the first elite team selection from Connecticut since former NBA forward Charles Smith of Warren Harding (Bridgeport, Conn.) in 1984 and earned numerous end-of-season honors: McDonald's All-American, Gatorade State Player of the Year and media state player of the year.

A total of five players either from the New England region or playing at a New England school will be participating in tomorrow night's Jordan Brand Classic high school all-star game, in Charlotte, N.C. ESPN's Paul Biancardi breaks down players to watch for the game, and mentions several locals, today on ESPN's Basketball Recruiting section:

Kris Dunn (New London, Conn./New London)
PG, 6-3, 180 pounds
College: Providence
He possesses the blow-by speed and quickness with the basketball that's necessary to score at the highest level. Dunn is a high-level athlete who can change directions on a dime in the open floor, break the ankles of a defender with a crossover, get into the lane at will and finish drives at the rim. Once he adds a jump shot, he will be special.

Nerlens Noel (Everett, Mass./Tilton School)
C, 6-10, 215 pounds
College: Kentucky
He has established himself as the best shot-blocker in high school and emerged as the top player in the nation without ever worrying about his numbers on the offensive end. The future Wildcat can score the ball inside by using a jump hook or driving from the foul line, but his real value comes from protecting the rim.

Kaleb Tarczewski (Claremont, N.H./St. Mark's)
C, 7-0, 240 pounds
College: Arizona
It's rare to find a big man, like Tarczewski, who is willing to run the floor and has good hands. He works hard to gain deep, low-post position whenever possible, understands the value of screening to free up his teammates and goes after missed shots on both ends. Tarczewski continues to work hard on improving his game and it shows.

Steven Adams (New Zealand/Notre Dame Prep)
C, 6-10, 235 pounds
College: Pittsburgh
Adams is the most physically-imposing player in the game thanks to his unique combination of strength and athleticism. He will attack the rim and score with his excellent mobility, huge hands and soft touch inside 15 feet. Defensively, he is very difficult to score over and Noel has said he is the hardest guy he's ever tried to score on.

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced Kris Dunn of New London High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Connecticut Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Dunn is the second Gatorade Connecticut Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from New London High School.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior guard averaged 31.4 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks per game this past season, leading the Whalers (23-3) to the Class LL semifinals. A 2012 McDonald’s All-American Game selection and a 2012 Jordan Brand Classic game invitee, Dunn is the No. 24 ranked recruit in the Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU.

Dunn has maintained a 3.23 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as an elementary school mentor and tutor and as a youth sports coach.

“Kris Dunn has been a pleasure to coach during his four years as a varsity starter,” said New London Head Coach Craig Parker. “He works extremely hard in the classroom and his passion for basketball is unsurpassed by anyone I’ve known in my 25 years of coaching.”

Dunn has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on an athletic scholarship at Providence College this fall.

Dunn joins recent Gatorade Connecticut Boys Basketball Players of the Year Andre Drummond (2010-11, St. Thomas More), Brandon Sherrod (2009-10, Stratford), Greg DeSantis (2008-09, Notre Dame Catholic), Allan Chaney (2007-08, New London), and Matthew Bryan-Amaning (2006–07, South Kent) among the state’s list of former award winners.

Below are the winners from the other New England states:

RHODE ISLAND: JARELL LAWSON, CENTRAL

The 6-foot-4 senior guard and forward led the Knights to a 19-4 record and the Open State Tournament championship this past season. Lawson averaged 19.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game. A unanimous First Team All-Division I selection, Lawson was a Rhode Island Basketball Coaches Association All-Star. He recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in the state-title win over Hope High.

Lawson has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a youth mentor and a youth basketball coach.

“Jarell Lawson can play any position on the floor,” said Jim Champion, head coach at South Kingstown High. “He helped bring the ball up, was a constant threat from the 3-point line and could drive or pull up for a jumper. He also could post down low and score inside. He was very well-rounded.”

Lawson remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: TYLER GENDRON, MERRIMACK

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound senior forward led the Tomahawks to a 19-6 record and the Division I state title this past season. Gendron averaged 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks per game. Also the state’s 2012 Mr. Basketball as named by the New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization, he scored 10 points with nine rebounds in the state title-clinching win over Manchester Central.

Gendron has maintained a 4.03 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally on behalf of the youth-empowerment Leo Club, as a math tutor and youth basketball coach.

“Tyler Gendron is an excellent player and has been a contributing varsity player since he was a sophomore,” said Jeff Gustavson, head coach at Londonderry High. “He has the versatility to make plays on the perimeter and in the post. When we played him he made some very tough shots to help his team win. We had to give him credit for making those shots when his team was down and they needed him.”

Gendron remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

MAINE: GARET BEAL, JONESPORT-BEALS

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound junior wing led the Royals to a 19-2 record and the Class D state championship this past season. Beal recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 75-62, title-clinching victory against Forest Hills High, capturing First Team All-Tournament honors for the second consecutive season. The returning Third Team All-State selection as named by the Bangor Daily News averaged 22.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 3.6 assists and 1.6 blocks. He shot 61.5 percent from the field, 46.7 percent from 3-point range and 81.2 percent from free throw line.

Beal has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom and serves as a member of his school’s student council. In addition to donating his time on behalf of the National Honor Society, he has volunteered as a positive mentor to elementary school students and as part of both community fundraisers and cleanup efforts.

“Garet is a dream to coach,” said Jonesport-Beals High Head Coach Gordon Faulkingham. “He’s a coach on the floor, the first to practice and the last to leave. He’s too unselfish at times and a great teammate.”

Beal will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

VERMONT: MATT ST. AMOUR, MISSIQUOI VALLEY UNION

The 6-foot-3 junior guard averaged 26.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game this past season, leading the Thunderbirds (11-10) to the Division I state tournament. The two-time Lake Division Player of the Year, St. Amour is a member of the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Dream Dozen and already holds the school career record for points, with 1,388.

St. Amour has maintained 4.13 GPA in the classroom. Also a soccer standout, he has volunteered locally on behalf of youth sports programs and has raised funds to benefit the American Cancer Society.

“He plays under control and can finish on either side of the basket, and he’s also got great range,” said Peter Quinn, head coach at Vergennes High. “You have to defend him as soon as he gets one or two dribbles over half-court.”

St. Amour will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

Providence College-bound guard Kris Dunn joined elite company last Friday, when he became the 18th high school player in Connecticut history to score at least 2,000 career points.

Dunn's 2,000th point came on a jump shot in the third quarter of New London's 89-54 triumph over Woodstock Academy.

Last month Dunn broke the New London career scoring record during a 71-56 victory over Norwich Free Academy. Tyson Wheeler held the previous record. Wheeler, who scored 1,807 points for New London, played professionally with the Denver Nuggets and in Europe.

“Kris broke the record of one of the all-time greats,” New London coach Craig Parker told The Day. “Any record you break that was held by Tyson Wheeler is quite an accomplishment.”

Dunn, who was recently named a McDonald's All-American, entered the Norwich Free Academy game 31 points shy of Wheeler's school record. He broke the record on a layup early in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 35 points.

FAST TRACK
Precious Holmes was at her best during Saturday's State Open track and field meet.

Holmes set two individual records and ran the anchor leg on the 4x400 relay team that set a meet record to help Hillhouse take first place with 74 points. Windsor was second with 40 points.

Holmes set meet and state records in the 300 (38.56 seconds) and the 600 (1:31.23). She held the previous record in both events.

Holmes also teamed with Johnesse Peterson, Jayvona McDaniel and Sydney Curtis on the 4x400 relay team, which prevailed in 3:57.92.

Staples took first place in the boys meet with 47 points. Hillhouse was second with 34.

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Paula Hagopian's talent on the soccer field is so obvious she was named Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year even though her Kingswood Oxford team finished with a record below .500 last season.

Hagopian, a senior forward, collected 13 goals and 10 assists as a senior, when Kingswood Oxford went 5-7-2. She was also the 2011 Connecticut Soccer Coaches' Association Player of the Year, and has twice been selected as an All-American by the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America.

“Paula is so strong that defenders bounce off her,” said Matt Micros, a club coach with Connecticut FC. “She can hold the ball up well and also spin defenders with ease. What she lacks in technique she more than makes up for with power and pace.”

Hagopian led Kingswood Oxford to the 2010 New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class B championship and completed her career with 56 goals and 35 assists. She will continue her soccer career at Yale next fall.

Past winners of the award include Riley Houle (2010–11, Windham), Kate McCarthy, (2009-10, Loomis Chaffee), Jessica Schloth (2008–09, St. Joseph), Alex Uscilla (2007-08, St. Joseph), and Bianca D’Agostino (2006-07, Loomis Chaffee).

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The 24-player roster for the boys' McDonald's All-American game were announced on Thursday, with two New Englanders in the mix.

Kris Dunn of New London (Conn.) and T.J. Warren of Brewster Academy were selected to the East Team rosters.

For the complete roster, click here.

With 21 of its 24 players in the top 30 of the ESPNU 100, this year's game is sure to be must-see TV when East and West clash on March 28 (9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) at the United Center in Chicago.

Rosters for the All-American Game of the 11th Annual Jordan Brand Classic were announced this morning, and among the nation's premier high school athletes on the roster are three native New Englanders -- St. Mark's center and Claremont, N.H. native Kaleb Tarczewski, South Kent (Conn.) swingman and Providence native Ricardo Ledo, and New London (Conn.) point guard Kris Dunn.

The game, annually comprised of the nation's top high school seniors and fifth-year players, will take place on April 14 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. It's a triple-header that will begin with the International Game at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Regional Game at 4:30 p.m., and the All-American Game at 7 p.m. The International and regional rosters will be announced at a later date.

ESPN will be carrying coverage of the Classic throughout the day.

Here are the full rosters for the East and West teams for the event:

EAST TEAM

Name Pos Hgt Wgt High School (School Location) College
Kyle Anderson PF 6-8 210 St. Anthony H.S. (Jersey City, NJ) UCLA
Kris Dunn PG 6-3 180 New London H.S. (New London, CT) Providence
Jerami Grant WF 6-7 200 DeMatha Catholic H.S. (Hyattsville, MD) Syracuse
Gary Harris WG 6-4 195 Hamilton Southeastern H.S. (Fishers, IN) Michigan State
Brice Johnson PF 6-9 210 Edisto H.S. (Cordova, SC) North Carolina
Ricardo Ledo WG 6-6 180 South Kent School (South Kent, CT) Providence
Tony Parker C 6-9 270 Miller Grove H.S. (Lithonia, GA) Undecided
Rodney Purvis PG 6-4 190 Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, NC) N.C. State
Kaleb Tarczweski C 7-0 240 St. Mark’s School (Southborough, MA) Arizona
J.P. Tokoto WF 6-6 195 Menomonee Falls H.S. (Milwaukee, WI) North Carolina

WEST TEAM

Name Pos Hgt Wgt High School (School Location) College
Brandon Ashley PF 6-8 215 Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV) Arizona
Isaiah Austin C 7-0 210 Grace Prep (Arlington, TX) Baylor
Anthony Bennett PF 6-8 230 Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV) Undecided
Archie Goodwin WG 6-5 181 Sylvan Hills H.S. (Little Rock, AR) Kentucky
Danuel House WF 6-6 185 Hightower H.S. (Houston, TX) Houston
Grant Jerrett WF 6-10 220 La Verne Lutheran H.S. (La Verne, CA) Arizona
Shabazz Muhammad WF 6-6 215 Bishop Gorman H.S. (Las Vegas, NV) Undecided
Marcus Paige PG 6-1 160 Linn-Mar H.S. (Marion, IA) North Carolina
Alex Poythress WF 6-7 215 Northeast H.S. (Clarksville, TN) Kentucky
Rasheed Sulaimon WG 6-3 175 Strake Jesuit College Prep (Houston, TX) Duke

ESPN's basketball recruiting section has updated the ESPNU 100 rankings for the Class of 2012 today, and there is some significant shakeup involving local players.

Most significant of them all might be Brewster Academy (N.H.) big man Mitch McGary, who fell from No. 2 overall in the country down to No. 21. The Chesterton, Ind. native signed with Michigan last November.

ESPN's Dave Telep explains the drop:

Michigan signee Mitch McGary (Chesterton, Ind./Brewster Academy (N.H.)) dipped from No. 2 to No. 21 overall. Why? When a player is ranked that high, it's entirely up to him to stay there. Our vision with his ranking is to reset expectations so that they are reasonable once he arrives at Michigan. We loved his energy and motor in the past, but it's up to McGary to find his comfort zone and return to the level he played at last spring.

In other movement, St. Mark's big man Kaleb Tarczewski cracks the top five, moving up to No. 4, while Notre Dame Prep's New Zealand-bred big man Steven Adams enters the list at No. 5 overall after making his American debut two weekends ago.

New London (Conn.) point guard and Providence signee Kris Dunn moves up to No. 23 overall, six spots better than his previous ranking.

King Philip's Maryland-bound star Jake Layman falls eight spots to No. 61, while Tilton (N.H.) big man and Iowa State signee Georges Niang makes the biggest leap, up 15 spots to No. 68.

St. Mark's Canadian import Nik Stauskas rounds out the locals at No. 78, up five spots.

You can view the entire list here. The locals on the list are copied below:

4. Kaleb Tarczewski, 7-0 C, Claremont, N.H./St. Mark's (Mass.)
5. Steven Adams, 6-10 PF, New Zealand/Notre Dame Prep (Mass.)
18. Ricardo Ledo, 6-6 SG, Providence, R.I./South Kent (Conn.)
21. Mitch McGary, 6-10 PF, Chesterton, Ind./Brewster Academy (N.H.)
23. Kris Dunn, 6-3 PG, New London, Conn./New London HS
28. T.J. Warren, 6-7 SF, Durham, N.C./Brewster Academy (N.H.)
61. Jake Layman, 6-8 SF, Wrentham, Mass./King Philip HS
68. Georges Niang, 6-7 PF, Methuen, Mass./Tilton (N.H.)
78. Nik Stauskas, 6-6 SF, Mississauga, Ontario/St. Mark's (Mass.)

Marty Roos has won more hockey games than any other high school coach in Connecticut history, but it doesn't look like Roos will win anymore.

Roos, 76, retired from coaching Wednesday after guiding Notre Dame-Fairfield for the first nine games of the current season. The Lancers were 3-6 when he announced his decision.

"I always felt that when it came time to step down from coaching, I would know that it was time," Roos said. "Even though Notre Dame is mid-season, I believe that now is the right time."

Roos, who was born in Switzerland, was in his 21st season with Notre Dame-Fairfield. The Lancers won the Division I championship in 1999 and 2006, and finished as the Division I runner-up in 2007 and 2008.

Assistant coach Steve Hetherman was named Notre Dame-Fairfield's interim coach.

"His passion, dedication, loyalty, commitment and hard work are second to none,” Notre Dame-Fairfield athletic director Rob Bleggi said. “He is the ultimate professional and class act.”

Bleggi, who also served as an assistant coach under Roos, said Roos told him about his intention to step down on Monday. He said he was also told health was not the reason for Roos' decision.

Roos began coaching at Fairfield Prep in 1972 and moved to Notre Dame-Fairfield in 1991. He won four championships at Fairfield Prep.

Roos retired with a career record of 536-301-19.

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Nominees for the McDonald's All-American Game were announced this morning. The Final Teams announcement for the prestigious high school basketball all-star game will be announced on Feb. 9 at 5 p.m., on ESPNU.

The boys and girls games will take place on March 28 at the United Center in Chicago, with the girls game at 7 p.m. and broadcast on ESPNU. The boys game will take place immediately after, at 9:30, and will be on ESPN.

One interesting omission to note is Andover senior guard Nicole Boudreau, a Boston College signee who is the state's defending Gatorade Player of the Year and ESPN Boston Miss Basketball. Boudreau has also been ranked in the ESPNU 100 for the Class of 2012.

Below are the nominees from the New England states:

MASSACHUSETTS
Lexi Sells, Bishop Feehan
Jake Layman, King Philip
Ricardo Ledo, Notre Dame Prep
Kaleb Tarczewski, St. Mark's
Nik Stauskas, St. Mark's

CONNECTICUT
Kris Dunn, New London
Ben Freeland, Suffied Academy
Timajh Parker-Rivera, St. Joseph
Erik Sanders, Suffield Academy
Mike Tobey, Hotchkiss
Bria Holmes, Hillhouse

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Zach Auguste, New Hampton
Mitch McGary, Brewster Academy
T.J. Warren, Brewster Academy
Georges Niang, Tilton

RHODE ISLAND
Amber Holgate, St. Andrew's
Thomas Garrick, St. Andrew's
Cedric Kuakumensah, St. Andrew's
Kalusha Ndoubme Ngollo, St. Andrew's
Tyler Sabino, St. Andrew's
Austin Van Bemmelin, North Providence
Rob Hazard, North Providence

MAINE
Darrick Wood, Bridgton Academy

VERMONT
Chad Copeland, Twinfield Union
Jaskin Melendez, Mount St. Joseph
Avery Whitcomb, Twinfield Union
Sara Illingworth, Hartford
Alexandra Jones, Poultney

Last week, New London point guard and Providence signee Kris Dunn set CCRI-Warwick's gymnasium on fire with 32 points, 26 rebounds, and four assists against defending RIIL state champ St. Raphael Academy, of Pawtucket. Friar fans were energized after his impressive performance.

After reviewing the film, it appears that the Providence faithful have even more to be excited about Dunn. Here are a few observations and clips of why Providence has a future star in Dunn:

Potential Triple Double

The assist is one of the most misleading statistics in basketball. In the game from last Saturday, Dunn’s box score showed that he had four assists. The only thing the box score did not account for were the potential assists that his teammates did not finish.

Here are nine clips of nine potential assists:



Dunn cannot expect his teammates to finish all of his passes, but some of these were serious errors. Whether they were missed open layups, travels, or dropped passes, these were 18 potential points that New London could have had, and a triple-double for Dunn.

The great thing about Dunn was that he never got frustrated about this. He’s a great leader in the respect that he does not tear apart his teammates after mistakes.

Hustle Points

It is not often that you see a point guard grab over 20 rebounds. Thanks to his length and jumping ability, Dunn was all over the floor grabbing rebounds and getting his hands dirty. In a way, Dunn almost looked like a football player going for interceptions out there. Although we never got to see Dunn on the football field for New London, it is likely that he had a few picks this year after seeing how good of a nose for the ball he had in this game.



The second and sixth clip from this video is by far the most impressive. Not only does Dunn show the desire to get the rebound, but he also showed great balance in making sure the ball stayed in New London’s possession.

Scoring

Here is the part that everyone has been waiting for. How does Kris Dunn score the ball?

In this game, Dunn got half of his 32 points from the line (15-of-18). Dunn has a knack for cutting between two defenders and managing to get fouled while shooting. He knows how to use his length to his advantage. The way he cuts through defenders is like a running back cutting through a defense (there is no coincidence that this was my second football reference). He finds the smallest gaps and slithers through them.



As you can see from all five of these clips, Dunn is great at changing direction quickly, which makes preventing him from where he wants to go difficult.

Dunn did not have a great game shooting the ball. In fact, Dunn missed all three of the mid-range or outside shots that he took. Perhaps fatigue may have played a role, but at the next level he will need better strength and conditioning. That is not necessarily a knock on him. Dunn is aware that he needs to get stronger.

Here are his three misses:



Dunn does show good shooting form though. He shot 83 percent from the line on the night for a reason.

Here is a slow-motion video of Dunn’s free-throw shooting form:



Dunn’s shooting weakness is not necessarily about getting more shooting reps in the gym. It is about having the ability to run the point, play big minutes, and still be able to be a threat from outside as the game goes on and his legs get tired. As seen in the video above, he shows nearly perfect form. He is just a few years away from being a shooting threat.

Conclusion

Kris Dunn is one of the finest talents in New England. He is a point guard who shows a nice balance between being a scorer and a distributer. He is a lanky athlete who plays hard all game long. He is a threat to get a triple-double every single night.

Once Dunn’s frame begins to fill out, he will be a serious asset for the Providence basketball program going forward.

Each week, ESPN's college basketball recruiting section spotlights top performances from players listed on the ESPNU 100 (Class of 2012), Super 60 (Class of 2013) and Terrific 25 (Class of 2014).

This week, that includes St. Mark's center Kaleb Tarczewski, New London (Conn.) point guard Kris Dunn, King Philip forward Jake Layman, and Northwest Catholic (Conn.) forward Kuran Iverson.

The complete list can be found here. Below are the locals' accomplishments:

CLASS OF 2012

No. 6 Kaleb Tarczewski, C
The Arizona-bound center scored 17 points as St. Mark knocked off St. Andrew’s 61-47 on Friday.

No. 29 Kris Dunn, PG
Dunn continued his torrid senior season with 29 points and seven rebounds as New London rolled by East Lyme, 74-44, on Friday. He didn’t slow down on Saturday, going for 32 points and 26 rebounds in a win over Saint Raphael Academy.

No. 53 Jake Layman, SF
Layman had 12 of his 18 points in the second half and added 13 rebounds and three blocks in a 55-37 win over North Attleboro on Friday. He exploded for a career-best 40 points in a 74-52 rout of Sharon on Tuesday.

CLASS OF 2013

No. 30 Kuran Iverson, SF
The junior had 16 points in a win over Southington on Thursday night. He went for 15 points in an 83-39 rout of Conard on Monday.

WARWICK, R.I. -- With a bounce in his step and genuine grin in his visage, Kris Dunn reveled in the post-game mini-mob of cameraphones and autograph seekers at CCRI-Warwick's gym, all looking to get a piece of the kid that just put on a clinic.

Some shy away from the constant attention. Then there's Dunn, who seems to bask in the attention and -- if tonight's game was any indication -- saves his best performances for the biggest stage.

"Actually, it's a great feeling," the Providence signee and nation's No. 2 point guard smiled, when asked about the signage requests. "It kinda feels like you're in the NBA, just seeing kids that look up to you, you're kind of their hero a little bit. It's a great feeling for me."

Local pride at stake? Sure. But when it boiled down, this was what the 1,000-plus on hand at CCRI-Warwick's gymnasium had come to see: this 6-foot-3 gazelle of a point guard, considered by some as New England's top college prospect, as pure a scorer some say you'll find in the Northeast.

Darting around at a pace that was at once breakneck and breathtaking, New London's All-Everything leader did not disappoint. Tonight's game was billed as a matchup between two heavyweights, with the defending CIAC Class L champs going up against defending RIIL champ St. Raphael and its junior point guard Charles Correa -- a 5-foot-8 waterbug considered the Ocean State's top junior, and with Division 1 interest beginning to take root.

Running the point on offense and manning the post on defense, Dunn racked up 32 points, 22 rebounds, four steals and four assists, as the Whalers won going away, 66-55.

But it wasn't just the way Dunn ran up court, it was the way he ran with authority that had so many in the stands cheering him on tonight; had so many recruiting analysts throwing praise over the last nine months; and had even one nationally-respected analyst calling him the Friars' most important backcourt recruit since God Shammgod.

Over and over on the defensive end, Dunn would spring towards the rim, grab the loose ball and immediately turn up court with a full head of steam. Rinse and repeat at the other end, where Dunn picked up 12 offensive rebounds on the night.

St. Raphael head coach Tom Sorrentine tried everything to slow him down -- full court man-to-man, traps at halfcourt, zone defenses, bringing his bigs up to the foul line to cut him off. But for most of the night, the Saints had to resort to physically trying to force him to a dead stop, picking up plenty of fouls along the way.

Dunn went to the line for a total of 20 free throw attempts, hitting 16 of them. Most of the trips to the line came from fouls on the floor.

"You gotta try and get the ball out of his hands," Sorrentine said. "And he's a great passer, too. He's tough. He turned the whole game around. I mean, he just makes you do things that you're not used to doing."

Playing all but the last two minutes tonight, Dunn appeared visibly fatigued at times -- all that jumping will do that to you. But he says he was prepared for the physical tone of tonight's game.

"I was in the weight room during the summer, and during the football season, so I was ready for something like this," Dunn said. "You've just got to keep going."

Maybe this should come as no surprise that Dunn manned the safety spot during the fall-- "strong safety, so I'm coming up to hit," he added with a chuckle.

When asked to make a comparison, Sorrentine barely let the reporter finish his sentence before calling upon former Friars great Marshon Brooks, a first-round pick last June who's currently playing for the New Jersey Nets.

"I think he's just like Marshon. He's long, he gets to where he wants to go," Sorrentine said. "He can get by you, know what I mean? You can think that you're covering him, and next thing you know he's by you. He's got those long legs, long arms...typical Marshon for me. That's what I said the first time I saw him [last season, a 100-72 loss to New London]."

And to think, this was a matchup that nearly wasn't. Over the summer, Dunn reportedly transferred to Wilbraham & Monson Academy, a prep school in Western Massachusetts, where he was set to team up with close friend Andre Drummond. But after a talk with his family, and a late-summer bolt to UConn by Drummond, Dunn returned to New London; and with his return, the Whalers are a favorite to repeat as state champions.

Seeing all this before him -- the sellout capacity crowd, the ooh's and aah's, the post-game crowds -- Dunn was asked if the return to New London has been worth it.

And as usual, he couldn't hide his emotions.

"Most definitely," he smiled. "This is all where it started, when I was a freshman. The New London community has always shown me love, ever since I was a freshman, so I just want to keep it going, and show my people that I'm going to show love back to them."

ESPN Boston correspondent Lucas Shapiro has highlights from tonight's monster showdown between defending CIAC Class L champion New London and defending RIIL state champ St. Raphael Academy of Pawtucket, R.I.

The game did not disappoint, as Providence signee Kris Dunn led the way for New London with 32 points and 22 rebounds in a 66-55 win.