High School: Mike Thorpe
X's and O's: Newton-Brockton observations
February, 9, 2012
Feb 9
12:08
AM ET
By Lucas Shapiro | ESPNBoston.com
February is that time of the season when you find out what teams are truly made out of. In Sunday’s matchup between Brockton and Newton North, both teams showed why they could each be dangerous teams when March comes around.
Brockton won the contest, 71-65, in overtime. After digesting the game, here are some observations about both of these teams, who will both likely enter the Division 1 South Sectional as favorites.
Brockton’s Defense
Defense is arguably Brockton’s best asset. Jahleel Moise’s jumping ability and Sayvonn Houston’s size make it nearly impossible for players to drive in the lane. This was especially true at the start of their game against Newton North. Brockton’s defense forced Newton North to be a jump shooting team and since the Tigers’ shots were not falling, they took an early lead.
Defense pushes teams far in the playoffs. However, basketball is played on two ends of the floor. While Brockton’s defense is superb, there offense leaves a lot to be desired.
Brockton’s Offense
After watching this clip, one would think there is nothing wrong with Brockton’s offense. It is not so much that they are a bad team offensively. Obviously, they were good offensively in this game because they won. It is more about how they are scoring.
They do a wonderful job of scoring in the paint, getting put backs, and burning defenders off of isolation plays. The only issue: that is the only way they score. There are never any plays run for a basket or jump shots made for that matter.
Newton North is not a big team or an athletic team, so Brockton can get away with this type of scoring. When they play a more athletic or bigger team, this type of offense simply will not work in March.
X-Factor: Jaylen Blakely
In March, it is critical to have players who can create off of the dribble. Jaylen Blakely is that type of player.
Blakely does a great job of getting looks for his big man and making big shots. That being said, Blakely’s biggest weakness is his decision making.
Blakely turns the ball over at a high rate and takes bad shots often. If he can focus on playing under control, he has the capability of pushing Brockton far in the playoffs.
Newton North Offense
Newton North always has talented go-to options, which is why they are always a dangerous team in March. They might not have the Anthony Gurley or Greg Kelley on their roster this year, but the duo of Mike Thorpe and Luke Westman are not too shabby. They are two players who compliment each other well and play smart all of the time.
The Tigers rely on those two to do most of their scoring along with many of their sweet shooting role players. When their shots were not falling, Newton North struggled. The key for them will be for role players to knock down open shots when they get them.
X-Factor: Tommy Mobley
In the third quarter, one role player did exactly what Newton North needs in order for their offense to be effective. Freshman Tommy Mobley knocked down three outside shots. This was the point in the game where Newton North came back and made it a close game.
Mobley has an unusual yet highly effective shot. He might only be a freshman, but he does a good job of moving without the ball and knocking down tough shots. This type of role player is key, especially when fighting while down.
The only issue is that he is a freshman and makes the mistakes that all freshmen make. To rely on a young player is always a risky proposition for teams looking to make a deep run in March.
Conclusion
Brockton and Newton North are dangerous teams for very different reasons. The Boxers do a great job of beating teams with their size and athleticism. They are great on defense and make teams have to play their tough brand of basketball. The key for them will to force teams to turnover the ball and score in transition.
As for Newton North, they don’t have the size or talent of past years but they have a team of players that play well together. In this game, they finally showed their main flaw: defense. They are not a bad defensive team, but when they play bigger or more athletic teams, they run into serious problems.
Neither team is perfect, but both have assets that can push them far in March.
Brockton won the contest, 71-65, in overtime. After digesting the game, here are some observations about both of these teams, who will both likely enter the Division 1 South Sectional as favorites.
Brockton’s Defense
Defense is arguably Brockton’s best asset. Jahleel Moise’s jumping ability and Sayvonn Houston’s size make it nearly impossible for players to drive in the lane. This was especially true at the start of their game against Newton North. Brockton’s defense forced Newton North to be a jump shooting team and since the Tigers’ shots were not falling, they took an early lead.
Defense pushes teams far in the playoffs. However, basketball is played on two ends of the floor. While Brockton’s defense is superb, there offense leaves a lot to be desired.
Brockton’s Offense
After watching this clip, one would think there is nothing wrong with Brockton’s offense. It is not so much that they are a bad team offensively. Obviously, they were good offensively in this game because they won. It is more about how they are scoring.
They do a wonderful job of scoring in the paint, getting put backs, and burning defenders off of isolation plays. The only issue: that is the only way they score. There are never any plays run for a basket or jump shots made for that matter.
Newton North is not a big team or an athletic team, so Brockton can get away with this type of scoring. When they play a more athletic or bigger team, this type of offense simply will not work in March.
X-Factor: Jaylen Blakely
In March, it is critical to have players who can create off of the dribble. Jaylen Blakely is that type of player.
Blakely does a great job of getting looks for his big man and making big shots. That being said, Blakely’s biggest weakness is his decision making.
Blakely turns the ball over at a high rate and takes bad shots often. If he can focus on playing under control, he has the capability of pushing Brockton far in the playoffs.
Newton North Offense
Newton North always has talented go-to options, which is why they are always a dangerous team in March. They might not have the Anthony Gurley or Greg Kelley on their roster this year, but the duo of Mike Thorpe and Luke Westman are not too shabby. They are two players who compliment each other well and play smart all of the time.
The Tigers rely on those two to do most of their scoring along with many of their sweet shooting role players. When their shots were not falling, Newton North struggled. The key for them will be for role players to knock down open shots when they get them.
X-Factor: Tommy Mobley
In the third quarter, one role player did exactly what Newton North needs in order for their offense to be effective. Freshman Tommy Mobley knocked down three outside shots. This was the point in the game where Newton North came back and made it a close game.
Mobley has an unusual yet highly effective shot. He might only be a freshman, but he does a good job of moving without the ball and knocking down tough shots. This type of role player is key, especially when fighting while down.
The only issue is that he is a freshman and makes the mistakes that all freshmen make. To rely on a young player is always a risky proposition for teams looking to make a deep run in March.
Conclusion
Brockton and Newton North are dangerous teams for very different reasons. The Boxers do a great job of beating teams with their size and athleticism. They are great on defense and make teams have to play their tough brand of basketball. The key for them will to force teams to turnover the ball and score in transition.
As for Newton North, they don’t have the size or talent of past years but they have a team of players that play well together. In this game, they finally showed their main flaw: defense. They are not a bad defensive team, but when they play bigger or more athletic teams, they run into serious problems.
Neither team is perfect, but both have assets that can push them far in March.
Hoophall: Falzon leads No. 17 Newton North
January, 16, 2011
1/16/11
9:35
PM ET
By Matt Stout | ESPNBoston.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Inside the bowels of Blake Arena, Newton North coach Paul Connolly stood flanked by his most promising young player, joking how hard he can be on him.
There are times Connolly yells, there are times he stomps. He constantly demands more. Then he’ll yell and stomp again. Ruefully poking a rolled-up box score into Aaron Falzon’s stomach, Connolly smiled, recalling how he’s gotten under the freshman forward’s skin at times.
“And he just keeps working,” Connolly said. “He’s made me a better coach.”
No surprise, Falzon’s quickly making Newton North a better team.
His team on the verge of an upset at the Hoophall Classic, Falzon scored eight of his game-high 19 points in a span of 67 seconds in the fourth quarter Sunday, rallying Newton North past Springfield Central, 58-56, on the campus of Springfield College.
Luke Westman added 11 points for the Tigers (7-2), who played without their leading scorer, Mike Thorpe. The junior guard stayed home Sunday with flu-like symptoms, which left ball-handling duties against the pressing Golden Eagles to Westman, among others, and the scoring load on whoever wanted it.
Falzon filled the void. The freshman shot 8-of-12 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and when needed, muscled up inside, a major area of improvement for a 6-foot-8 player Connolly said “would love to just go out and shoot 3-pointers all day.”
He got the chance later Sunday in the Hoophall’s 3-point contest. Beforehand, he did his work inside, scooping in four lay-ups -- two on designed inbounds plays -- to turn a 50-46 deficit with 2:01 to play into a 54-50 lead Newton North rode to the win.
“Obviously it’s a big stage,” Falzon said. “I wanted to do well. [But] it just fell that way. My teammates found me on fast breaks, down low. It just came all together.”
So is Falzon’s game. Blessed with size but still building muscle, Falzon has floated in and out of the starting lineup as the Tigers have battled sickness and injury, most notably to Falzon’s brother, senior Tevin, who hasn’t played yet due to a wrist injury. He’s scheduled to return in early February, but in the meantime, Aaron has risen into a reliable player, averaging around eight points per game.
That was until Sunday, when he became the go-to option with the Golden Eagles buzzing around to the tune of 23 forced turnovers. Down by as many as 11 points in the third, Springfield Central turned up the pressure, gradually cutting into Newton North’s lead before exploding for 12 unanswered points bridging the third and fourth.
Now down, 44-39, midway through the final period, Newton North responded with its own 6-0 run before giving up four straight themselves. Falzon responded, taking a nice feed over the top from Korey Mui (10 points), banking in two inbounds passes and finishing a press-breaker with an easy lay-up with 54 seconds to play.
“He’s definitely exceeding at least my expectations,” Westman said of Falzon. “He stretches out the defense from other teams. He’s a big guy so we look for him inside, but he’s tough to guard from other teams. He can open up a lot for the other players.”
Springfield Central hit two late threes, but they were meaningless after Newton North iced the game at the line.
“He’s going to be a good one,” Springfield Central coach Mike Labrie said of Falzon. “I thought we did a good job on their perimeter game. In fact, they had no threes in the second half. However, they ended up beating us inside. … I think that killed us. The biggest factor was the size [difference], other than the foul discrepancies, 26-12.”
For Newton North -- ranked 17th in ESPN Boston’s MIAA poll -- the victory is a sign it’s turning the corner. Long accustomed to being a force in the Bay State Carey and a regional Massachusetts power, the Tigers returned just four players from last season and have spent the last two months trying to meld a young team together.
It seems to be working, thanks to the times they’ve survived adversity (like Sunday) -- and their own practices.
“These guys will tell you, I’m not easy to play for,” Connolly said. “When we get out of practice and we’re hanging out, I can be fun to be around. But for those two hours, I can be tough on them.”
As he said that, Falzon nodded with a smile.
“He asks a lot out of me,” he said. “I’ve played hard before but not like this. This is the hardest I’ve ever played.”
There are times Connolly yells, there are times he stomps. He constantly demands more. Then he’ll yell and stomp again. Ruefully poking a rolled-up box score into Aaron Falzon’s stomach, Connolly smiled, recalling how he’s gotten under the freshman forward’s skin at times.
“And he just keeps working,” Connolly said. “He’s made me a better coach.”
No surprise, Falzon’s quickly making Newton North a better team.
His team on the verge of an upset at the Hoophall Classic, Falzon scored eight of his game-high 19 points in a span of 67 seconds in the fourth quarter Sunday, rallying Newton North past Springfield Central, 58-56, on the campus of Springfield College.
Luke Westman added 11 points for the Tigers (7-2), who played without their leading scorer, Mike Thorpe. The junior guard stayed home Sunday with flu-like symptoms, which left ball-handling duties against the pressing Golden Eagles to Westman, among others, and the scoring load on whoever wanted it.
Falzon filled the void. The freshman shot 8-of-12 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and when needed, muscled up inside, a major area of improvement for a 6-foot-8 player Connolly said “would love to just go out and shoot 3-pointers all day.”
He got the chance later Sunday in the Hoophall’s 3-point contest. Beforehand, he did his work inside, scooping in four lay-ups -- two on designed inbounds plays -- to turn a 50-46 deficit with 2:01 to play into a 54-50 lead Newton North rode to the win.
“Obviously it’s a big stage,” Falzon said. “I wanted to do well. [But] it just fell that way. My teammates found me on fast breaks, down low. It just came all together.”
So is Falzon’s game. Blessed with size but still building muscle, Falzon has floated in and out of the starting lineup as the Tigers have battled sickness and injury, most notably to Falzon’s brother, senior Tevin, who hasn’t played yet due to a wrist injury. He’s scheduled to return in early February, but in the meantime, Aaron has risen into a reliable player, averaging around eight points per game.
That was until Sunday, when he became the go-to option with the Golden Eagles buzzing around to the tune of 23 forced turnovers. Down by as many as 11 points in the third, Springfield Central turned up the pressure, gradually cutting into Newton North’s lead before exploding for 12 unanswered points bridging the third and fourth.
Now down, 44-39, midway through the final period, Newton North responded with its own 6-0 run before giving up four straight themselves. Falzon responded, taking a nice feed over the top from Korey Mui (10 points), banking in two inbounds passes and finishing a press-breaker with an easy lay-up with 54 seconds to play.
“He’s definitely exceeding at least my expectations,” Westman said of Falzon. “He stretches out the defense from other teams. He’s a big guy so we look for him inside, but he’s tough to guard from other teams. He can open up a lot for the other players.”
Springfield Central hit two late threes, but they were meaningless after Newton North iced the game at the line.
“He’s going to be a good one,” Springfield Central coach Mike Labrie said of Falzon. “I thought we did a good job on their perimeter game. In fact, they had no threes in the second half. However, they ended up beating us inside. … I think that killed us. The biggest factor was the size [difference], other than the foul discrepancies, 26-12.”
For Newton North -- ranked 17th in ESPN Boston’s MIAA poll -- the victory is a sign it’s turning the corner. Long accustomed to being a force in the Bay State Carey and a regional Massachusetts power, the Tigers returned just four players from last season and have spent the last two months trying to meld a young team together.
It seems to be working, thanks to the times they’ve survived adversity (like Sunday) -- and their own practices.
“These guys will tell you, I’m not easy to play for,” Connolly said. “When we get out of practice and we’re hanging out, I can be fun to be around. But for those two hours, I can be tough on them.”
As he said that, Falzon nodded with a smile.
“He asks a lot out of me,” he said. “I’ve played hard before but not like this. This is the hardest I’ve ever played.”
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Scott Barboza
Scott Barboza joined ESPNBoston.com as a high schools editor/reporter in May 2010. He spent the previous three seasons working in the New England Patriots media relations department after a stint at the Taunton Daily Gazette, where he covered everything from Little League baseball to the Boston Red Sox. The Fall River native is a graduate of Emerson College. He can be reached at sbarboza@espnboston.com.
Brendan Hall
Brendan Hall joined ESPNBoston.com as a high schools reporter/editor in May 2010, after four years covering high schools for The Boston Globe. The Westminster, Mass. native also served on the Globe's Bruins beat last season. Hall is a graduate of UMass Amherst. He can be reached at bhall@espnboston.com.
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