I received an interesting "note" (we will call it) from an old acquaintance of mine. Actually a guy I used to play some ball with, but really haven't stayed in touch with. He was all upset over the previous rankings, and how there wasn't enough players from southern VT listed. The whole vibe he was giving what that of the never-ending "the south gets no respect in Vermont Basketball..." (blah, blah, blah) story that (at least for most the people I talk hoops with) are tired of hearing. This was pretty strange considering this guy was from the north (at least central VT) and played his HS hoops there. Regardless, concerning his beef with the Centers, PF's, and SF's list...yeah maybe he does have a legitimate gripe (that is of course if he never saw the statement I made time and time again that this was strictly OPINION based) that there isn't that many guys listed from the South. There were only 3 guys who played at Southern VT high schools in my first 30 players listed (Aj Mahar, Grant White & Kyle Henry). But lets be honest...how many of the guys I have listed could you make a legitimate argument for someone to take their place? By all means...please do...hell I ask for comments and suggestions all the time!
This did however get me thinking how much of a difference is there really from the North and the South in terms of Talent? I really don't want to dive into this, for god knows it could start a small brush fire down in Bennington, or Manchester, so I decided to just state some facts. I would tend to guess we would all believe that when it really comes down to it, good players, make great teams. Its really not that much of the coaching, or the competition level, its a simple fact that the team with more talented players tend to be better, therefore are more successful. Makes sense to me anyway...
So how do you measure success in a Vermont High school program? The number of All-State players that a high school produces? How about the number of college players it may produce? POY awards? Sure while all that sounds great...and personal player accolades may sound sexy...lets be honest...Banners are really the only thing that matters. State Championships...that is what defines the great teams, or schools from others. So I took a look at the last 10 years, the same previous 10 years that I have been creating my top 10 lists from (notice I said MY lists, as in MY opinion) and who won state titles. Out of the last 40 banners that were handed out from 2000-2010 (Divisions 1-4) I wanted to know exactly how many went to the North, and how many went to the South. I think the numbers speak for themselves...well at least if we are all believers that the best teams, the ones who win titles are made up of the best players. In the last decade, out of the 40 state titles that were handed out...29 of them have stayed (basically) North of Exit 4 on I-89. For all those mathematicians out there, that means only 11 have headed south. The scary thing is 5 of those 11 banners are hanging in Proctor's gym. Here's the break down...
Division 1 Titles:
North 10 South 0
Division 2 Titles:
North 6 South 4
Division 3 Titles:
North 8 South 2
Division 4 Titles
North 5
South 5
I hate to get into all of this...but I did feel I had to show some support for my reasoning. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great players from Southern, VT, and there always has been. Maybe there just wasn't quite as many between 2000-2010...just saying......
Not to get side tracked and take anything away from the star-studded list of shooting guards (because it is a GOOD one)...here is my list....
Shooting Guards 2000-2010
10. Matt St. Amour (2013) (yeah... he will be that good when its said and done)
9. Mike Cioffi - Rice (2003)
8. Jed Thibault - Burlington (2000)
7. Canden Rusin - Twin Valley (2008)
6. Geri Gulliory - Burlington (2004)
5. Bj Robertson - Burlington (2002)
4. Kyle Cieplicki - Rice (2003)
3. Joe O'Shea - Burlington (2010)
2. Tyrone Conely - Burlington (2007)
1. Mike Perez - Spaulding (2002)
PG's on deck!.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Top 10 of Last 10 - Small Forwards
This was an extremely difficult group to rank. Similar to the Power Forwards, its tough to really define the difference between say a big 2 guard, and a small 3. Regardless all the guys on this list can seriously hoop. Virtually of all of them were 1,000 pt scorers, All-State selections, as well as members of the VT/NH All-Star games. I feel there were a couple of guys I couldn't leave out, so I am adding a few honorable mentions to this group. Next to the two guards (which I don't even want to begin thinking about) this is probably the most talented group of this entire list. There were some real tough decisions. Feedback as always...more then welcome!
Small Forwards 200-2010
10. Dj Campbell- Winooski (2008)
9. Michael Buxton - St. Johnsbury (2001)
8. Jessie Epstein - Vergennes (2003)
7. Demir Smajovic - Essex (2010)
6. Dana Martin - Stowe (2000)
5. John Cody - Montpelier (2001)
4. Grant White - Springfield (2009)
3. David Ball - Spaulding (2002)
2. Tim Shedd - Hazen (2000)
1. Chad Powlovich - Mt. Mansfield (2004)
Honorable Mentions: John Chaloux - Spaulding (2006) Mark Comstock -Rutland (2009) Chris Magistrale - South Burlington (2002) Kevin Labas - Mt. Abe (2008) Tyler Kathan - Springfield (2005)
Coming up next is the dreaded 2 guard. Not looking forward to it. With names like Perez, Robertson, Cieplicki, Rusin, O'Shea, and Conely...should be a very interesting list.
Sign up and follow!
Small Forwards 200-2010
10. Dj Campbell- Winooski (2008)
9. Michael Buxton - St. Johnsbury (2001)
8. Jessie Epstein - Vergennes (2003)
7. Demir Smajovic - Essex (2010)
6. Dana Martin - Stowe (2000)
5. John Cody - Montpelier (2001)
4. Grant White - Springfield (2009)
3. David Ball - Spaulding (2002)
2. Tim Shedd - Hazen (2000)
1. Chad Powlovich - Mt. Mansfield (2004)
Honorable Mentions: John Chaloux - Spaulding (2006) Mark Comstock -Rutland (2009) Chris Magistrale - South Burlington (2002) Kevin Labas - Mt. Abe (2008) Tyler Kathan - Springfield (2005)
Coming up next is the dreaded 2 guard. Not looking forward to it. With names like Perez, Robertson, Cieplicki, Rusin, O'Shea, and Conely...should be a very interesting list.
Sign up and follow!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Top 10 of Last 10 - Power Forward edition!
In continuing my series Top 10 of Last 10, I am moving on to The Power Forward position. This was an interesting list, for its tough to really define what makes a guy a true 4, a true banger, someone who is going to get physical, clean up the glass and do the dirty work. Allot of the guys on this list could not only do these things, but also block shots, run the floor, and put the ball in the hole. In fact 8 of these 10 guys were 1,000 point scorers! We may have missed 1 or 2, but I think this list is fairly accurate!
Feedback is always welcome!
Power Forwards 2000-2010
10.Justin Norris - BFA St. Albans (2000)
9. Billy Boyd - Hazen (2010)
8. Kevin Brosseau - Rice Memorial (2003)
7. Tj Bottiggi - Montpelier (2000)
6. Jason Gray - Thetford Academy (2009)
5. Kyle Henry - Brattleboro (2003)
4. Connor Merrill - Vergennes (2010)
3. Aj Mahar - Mt. Anthony (2004)
2. Nate Anderson - CVU (2000)
1. Matt Glass - Mt. Mansfield (2006)
Small Forwards up next!
Feedback is always welcome!
Power Forwards 2000-2010
10.Justin Norris - BFA St. Albans (2000)
9. Billy Boyd - Hazen (2010)
8. Kevin Brosseau - Rice Memorial (2003)
7. Tj Bottiggi - Montpelier (2000)
6. Jason Gray - Thetford Academy (2009)
5. Kyle Henry - Brattleboro (2003)
4. Connor Merrill - Vergennes (2010)
3. Aj Mahar - Mt. Anthony (2004)
2. Nate Anderson - CVU (2000)
1. Matt Glass - Mt. Mansfield (2006)
Small Forwards up next!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
TOP 10 of the LAST 10
Since the winter hoop season has come to an end, I had to come up with something else to write about. A recent rumor I have heard (actually from a few different sources) about the annual VT/NH Twin state game coming to an abrupt end after 30 successful years got me thinking about all the great players that have played in that game. Its really too bad to see such a great event come to an end, for I know some of this years seniors have probably been looking forward to playing in this game for the last 4 years. I had the opportunity to play a role in this game just a few years ago, it was a tremendous honor, and an experience I wont forget. I will be sure to have a more in depth write up regarding the (what would have been) 31st Annual Merchants Bank Twin State Rotary Classic, once I have confirmed more details.
Regardless, as I mentioned this got me thinking about all the great players that have played in this game. The state has had some great talent over the years. Now if there are any other VT Hoop Heads out there such as I claim to be, I would have to imagine at some point a conversation has come up about the top players this state has ever seen...of all-time that is. Names like Dalrymple, Cieplicki and Johnson have surely come up. What I would like to do, to keep it a little fresher and a little more geared to maybe a more youthful audience, is discuss the top 10 players this state has seen over the last 10 years. Top 10...over the last 10. Who would they be?
This series of entries will be dedicated (in my humble opinion) to the top VT HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS this state has seen over the last decade. Now as you can see there is an emphasis on HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS...players careers in HIGH SCHOOL. This will not have anything to do with players college careers. It will not concern what they have accomplished on or off the court after their high school stints. It doesn't matter if a guy has had a 3 year pro career, or he is now working in a factory job somewhere. This is strictly based on there high school resume.
Over the next week I will name the top 10 players by position, the top 10 single teams the state has seen, as well as the top 10 High school programs and of course my top 10 overall players from the last 10 years. The only criteria...they have played at least 1 season for a VT high school sometime between 2000 and 2010.
This should be interesting......
My First entry will be the big fellas...the top 10 Centers in the last 10 years....(ranked in order)
CENTERS 2000-2010
10. Alex Snyder - Rutland (2011)
9. Billy Welcome - Hazen (2000)
8. Chad Copeland - Twinfield (2012)
7. Sebastian Brandsetter - North Country (2008)
6. Alex Lloyd - Rice Memorial (2000)
5. Nick Meunier - Rice Memorial (2009)
4. Clancy Rugg - Burlington (2009)
3. Pat Bergman - Rice Memorial (2007)
2. Chris Cayole - Rice Memorial (2003)
1. Taylor Coppenrath - St. Johnsbury (2000)
As always this is strictly opinion based...and always open to comments and other opinions or thoughts!
Check out tomorrow as we reveal our top 10 Power Fowards!
Regardless, as I mentioned this got me thinking about all the great players that have played in this game. The state has had some great talent over the years. Now if there are any other VT Hoop Heads out there such as I claim to be, I would have to imagine at some point a conversation has come up about the top players this state has ever seen...of all-time that is. Names like Dalrymple, Cieplicki and Johnson have surely come up. What I would like to do, to keep it a little fresher and a little more geared to maybe a more youthful audience, is discuss the top 10 players this state has seen over the last 10 years. Top 10...over the last 10. Who would they be?
This series of entries will be dedicated (in my humble opinion) to the top VT HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS this state has seen over the last decade. Now as you can see there is an emphasis on HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS...players careers in HIGH SCHOOL. This will not have anything to do with players college careers. It will not concern what they have accomplished on or off the court after their high school stints. It doesn't matter if a guy has had a 3 year pro career, or he is now working in a factory job somewhere. This is strictly based on there high school resume.
Over the next week I will name the top 10 players by position, the top 10 single teams the state has seen, as well as the top 10 High school programs and of course my top 10 overall players from the last 10 years. The only criteria...they have played at least 1 season for a VT high school sometime between 2000 and 2010.
This should be interesting......
My First entry will be the big fellas...the top 10 Centers in the last 10 years....(ranked in order)
CENTERS 2000-2010
10. Alex Snyder - Rutland (2011)
9. Billy Welcome - Hazen (2000)
8. Chad Copeland - Twinfield (2012)
7. Sebastian Brandsetter - North Country (2008)
6. Alex Lloyd - Rice Memorial (2000)
5. Nick Meunier - Rice Memorial (2009)
4. Clancy Rugg - Burlington (2009)
3. Pat Bergman - Rice Memorial (2007)
2. Chris Cayole - Rice Memorial (2003)
1. Taylor Coppenrath - St. Johnsbury (2000)
As always this is strictly opinion based...and always open to comments and other opinions or thoughts!
Check out tomorrow as we reveal our top 10 Power Fowards!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
2011 BFP All-State Teams Announced
The Burlington Free Press announced the Boys and Girls 2011 All-State Teams, as well as their Player of the Year or "Mr. and Mrs. Basketball" selections. Now although many times these teams can be controversial, I think the BFP was fairly accurate this season. I do however, (as I'm sure many always do, and always will) have a couple gripes of my own. Not many...just a couple...but I do think they are legit gripes to have. Again, this is just opinion, and I do salute all these players for making their respective teams. Its certainly an honor to be named to the top 20 or so players in the state...(but again it is a single newspaper's opinion on the matter).
My only real issues with the selections were as follows:
- Matt St. Amour was hands down a 1st Team player this season.
-Jake Donnelly's team (CVU) may not have had the best season, but there is no question he is one of the top 10 players in the state. Any Coach that has seen him play would have a hard time to disagree. He should have been named to at a minimum 2nd team, if not 1st.
- Colchester's Anthony Granai got the brunt of the biggest snub, not even receiving an Honorable Mention. This is crazy considering everything he did for the Lakes this season. Granai was asked to play out of position in many games, defend in the post, and really anything else his head coach Joe Maheux asked him to do. The scary thing is...he did them all REALLY well. Granai should have been mentioned. Just another case of a great all around player being missed in the media for all the small things he did to help his team win games...its a shame.
- I also think MVU's Kyle Lumsden could have easily been named as an Honorable Mention, nice to see Fournier named here, but Lumsden was also deserving.
I do however agree with the selection for the BFP's Mr. Basketball. Essex's Ben Ferris certainly deserves it. He has improved his game immensely over the last year and seems to only keep improving. Averaging 23.6 ppg and 10 reb. in the Metro is no small task. Congratulations to Ben, and we wish him the best of luck at Tufts next season!
Burlington Free Press 2011 All- State Teams
Player of the Year: Ben Ferris - 6'2 SG Essex
1st Team
Troy Davine, 6'2" PG Rutland
Ben Ferris, 6'3" SG Essex
Alex Snyder 6'6" PF Rutland
Austin Robinson 6'2" SG Rice
Evan Tullar 6'4" SF Spaulding
2nd Team
Nick Swim 5'9" PG BFA- St. Albans
Matt St. Amour 6'2" SG Missisquoi
Chad Copeland 6'6" PF Twinfield
Clayton Palmer 6'8" C Mt. Anthony
Ryan Shea 6'2" SG U32
3rd Team
Jake Donnnelly 6'2" PG CVU
Ethan Brown 6'1" SG Mt. Mansfield
Chris McCormick 6'0" SG Rice
Devon Rollins 5'9" PG Winooski
Rob Coloutti 6'2" SG Fair Haven
Honorable Mentions:
Lucas Dutil- Spaulding, Ben Fournier-MVU, Jack Leclerc- Colchester, Eric Suder- MMU, Soloman Little-Danville, Charles McVay- MAU, Jalen Miller-Winooski, Curtis Rodgers- Burlington, Ryan Tatro-Hazen, Casey Tipson-Rice,
Just a side note, did anyone else notice there was not a comment section on the BFP website where the All-State teams were posted? Seems strange, for I'm sure there were plenty of comments waiting to be posted, as I'm certain there always has been, and most definately always will be.
AAU right around the corner!
My only real issues with the selections were as follows:
- Matt St. Amour was hands down a 1st Team player this season.
-Jake Donnelly's team (CVU) may not have had the best season, but there is no question he is one of the top 10 players in the state. Any Coach that has seen him play would have a hard time to disagree. He should have been named to at a minimum 2nd team, if not 1st.
- Colchester's Anthony Granai got the brunt of the biggest snub, not even receiving an Honorable Mention. This is crazy considering everything he did for the Lakes this season. Granai was asked to play out of position in many games, defend in the post, and really anything else his head coach Joe Maheux asked him to do. The scary thing is...he did them all REALLY well. Granai should have been mentioned. Just another case of a great all around player being missed in the media for all the small things he did to help his team win games...its a shame.
- I also think MVU's Kyle Lumsden could have easily been named as an Honorable Mention, nice to see Fournier named here, but Lumsden was also deserving.
I do however agree with the selection for the BFP's Mr. Basketball. Essex's Ben Ferris certainly deserves it. He has improved his game immensely over the last year and seems to only keep improving. Averaging 23.6 ppg and 10 reb. in the Metro is no small task. Congratulations to Ben, and we wish him the best of luck at Tufts next season!
Burlington Free Press 2011 All- State Teams
Player of the Year: Ben Ferris - 6'2 SG Essex
1st Team
Troy Davine, 6'2" PG Rutland
Ben Ferris, 6'3" SG Essex
Alex Snyder 6'6" PF Rutland
Austin Robinson 6'2" SG Rice
Evan Tullar 6'4" SF Spaulding
2nd Team
Nick Swim 5'9" PG BFA- St. Albans
Matt St. Amour 6'2" SG Missisquoi
Chad Copeland 6'6" PF Twinfield
Clayton Palmer 6'8" C Mt. Anthony
Ryan Shea 6'2" SG U32
3rd Team
Jake Donnnelly 6'2" PG CVU
Ethan Brown 6'1" SG Mt. Mansfield
Chris McCormick 6'0" SG Rice
Devon Rollins 5'9" PG Winooski
Rob Coloutti 6'2" SG Fair Haven
Honorable Mentions:
Lucas Dutil- Spaulding, Ben Fournier-MVU, Jack Leclerc- Colchester, Eric Suder- MMU, Soloman Little-Danville, Charles McVay- MAU, Jalen Miller-Winooski, Curtis Rodgers- Burlington, Ryan Tatro-Hazen, Casey Tipson-Rice,
Just a side note, did anyone else notice there was not a comment section on the BFP website where the All-State teams were posted? Seems strange, for I'm sure there were plenty of comments waiting to be posted, as I'm certain there always has been, and most definately always will be.
AAU right around the corner!
Friday, April 1, 2011
CORRECTION
Correction: U32 standout senior Ryan Shea has NOT committed to Vassar. We apologize to Ryan and his family for the error.
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