Worcester Academy a Solid, Skilled Group
WORCESTER, Mass. – The backcourt is clearly where Ed Reilly’s team at Worcester Academy will make its mark this season. That was readily apparent during Sunday’s workouts as the guards dominated play and generally looked like a solid bunch.
The team also has an interesting makeup in terms of the hometowns of its players, as they are all either from New England or the west coast. Helping is that a number of the New Englanders are returning players, as last season’s team had some youth while showing plenty of promise. They won’t wow observers with quickness or athleticism, but there’s a high skill level on this team that’s apparent from watching for just a few minutes. It all bodes well as they enter the 2007-08 season.
The best guard on Sunday had to be San Diego native Gerald McLemore, a 6’3″ guard who showed a terrific feel for the game. An excellent student, he shot the ball very well and moved well without it, while also making several nice passes. He could play any position on the perimeter, most likely playing either wing spot.
McLemore will have plenty of help, with the primary point guard likely to be Oakland native Gabriel Kindred, a 6’0″ junior. Kindred drove fearlessly to the basket with good quickness and also showed a touch from long range. Senior Anthony Weeks, a native of Cambridge, Mass., returns for his fourth season and may also see time at the point after playing the position at times during the spring and summer. He didn’t shoot it well on Sunday, but he’s very capable. Menelek Lidonde, the younger brother of Old Dominion senior guard Abdi, is also in the mix at the point.
While junior Austin Carroll could see occasional time at the point, he will most likely play off the ball. On this day, Carroll shot well during an individual workout but was inconsistent during live play. The 6’2″ guard has the stroke, but the consistency isn’t there yet. Sam Martin (6’2″ Jr. SG, West Warwick, RI) and Anthony Dolphin (6’5″ Jr. SF, Westborough, MA) will also see time on the wing. Dolphin played well in a complementary role, hitting a few mid-range jumpers on Sunday.
There isn’t much depth in the frontcourt, but there isn’t a lack of talent. Junior Ben Crenca, a 6’9″ wide body from Exeter, Rhode Island, is finally healthy after missing most of last season due to an eye injury and also battling a hip problem early in the year. He’s a physical post player who rebounds well and has some scoring ability inside, although he doesn’t have a great feel for making post moves right now. One time down he makes a good move, then on the next trip he gets himself into trouble with the ball. He played well during the off-season, so there’s reason to think he will continue to improve.
A pair of west coast players in the class of 2008 will also get time up front. Joseph “Jo Jo” Muvana, a long 6’8″ forward, has good potential once he gets stronger and his game matures as he’s clearly more prospect than project. He blocked several shots and rebounded while running the floor. His offense needs some work, but a couple of times he had the ball inside and absorbed contact before making a shot. Genesis Maciel is the third option, and he’s another who won’t wow you with his physical tools but can play the game. His conditioning will need work, but he can shoot out to three-point range and leaked out for a few fast breaks on Sunday. He can also pass the ball when he faces the basket, both of which come in handy considering he’s 6’9″.
Reilly has a team that will be worth watching this year. They don’t possess eye-popping physical tools, but they have a high skill level and are quality kids. Intangibles like that make a coach’s job easier and can help a team win some games that their talent level might dictate otherwise.
