RallyNorth.net: High School Sports - Merrimack Valley and Southern NH

I love this idea and would pay to see some great youth hoops. I love the idea of splitting the profits and seeing user fees go down in Haverhill. Hector, kudos to this entry!

Would love to see this happen , but it probably will not. If I were picking the series I would say Rivals sweep them in both Division. They are better than the Jay Hawks in every position in both age groups. Not trying to knock the Jay Hawks because they have done a great job this year. But they are out matched by the rivals . If you go through the rosters of there 17's , 16s they are loaded with players who will defanatley play at the next level. They also make their names by playing harder than most teams. They were runners up in the 17U division in Providence. The Jay Hawks didnt get out of there pool . They have key wins over NE Playaz , Albany City Rocks, New Heights , Expressions. Again not trying to knock the J-Hawks because I think they do a great job. But lets face it Hector if you were picking a team would you take Larosa or Laguere? Carson D or Alex Stoyle? Evan s or Jake Nelson?

Rivals Starting 5

Jaimee Spears
Jordan Laguere
Matt Brown
Evan S.
Carson D

Key Reserves:
Zach H
Cedric K
David Madol
Brian Miller

Typical response from a homer of the Rivals program. Easy to sit there and take one player over the next. But ask the #3 team in the country (Gauchos) if they could take the guy they were covering last week at BU (where the Jayhawks TEAM beat the Gauchos). I have no idea who you are Mr MVC Hooper, but let me guess what your next comeback is...we beat team x, team x beat team y, therefore team x has to beat team y...SAVE IT and play the game you homer!

Thanks for your swift response :) . And no Im not a Rivals Homer!!! Im just an avid fan of high school hoops. You have right to your opinion. But from what I saw in both teams the Rivals have better teams. On the flip side I believe that anything could happen on any given night . So could the Jay Hawks score an upset , of course they can. Like I said in my response earlier the Jay Hawks do a great job. The also do a great job . Lets face the on paper the Jay Hawks are way out matched . They are made up of NH kids that play on sub par high school teams. They do not have one scholarship player on their team . Im taking the Rivals !!!!!!!!!

VBC would beat them both

Who is VBC ? Have never seen them at any major tournaments

OOPS had to think for a moment. That program is horrible!!!!! Not even close to the other programs. Tell the directors of vbc to start paying their bills :)

Jayhawks have scholarship players

Eric Dean (new hampton)
Ben Bartoldus (Proctor)
are both D2 scholarship types at worst.

Jake Nelson(Nashua South), Alex stoyle
(Tilton) and Will bayless(Tilton) are potential scholarship guys as well. Not D1 but will be solid college players where ever they go.

Rivals have 4 D1 players obviously better on paper and would probably win game.

To say Jayhawks are made up of NH kids on subpar high school teams is ridiculous.

Im with you MVC hooper.....my money is on the Rivals....Jayhawks have talent, but not enough for the next level....Can anyone tell me why the jayhawks werent invited to the Addidas Best of summer classic in California? My understanding is you are INVITED and only the best of the best are asked to go.....

I'm told the
Jayhawks were invited to Cali, but chose not to go.

then can you tell me what the logical reason would be to refuse such a huge tournament with such great exposure to scouts for D1 schools? My thought is that they chose not to go, IF in fact they were invited at all, to save save face because they could not handle the talent that will be there.....

were invited absolutely, but passed...talent in vegas is similiar.

My guess is that it was a financial thing. From what I've been told, Dunham runs a very cost-conscious program. It was either/or for them, and they intelligently chose Vegas.

I'm guessing you are not responsible for balancing the budget in your house. Going to Vegas and Cali would have tied up 11 total days on the road. The parents of the program were extremely grateful when the decision was made to drop the Cali leg of the trip....now we have that much more to "invest" in Vegas baby!

you all have no clue.

if you want to play in the cali event go to
www.doublepump.com

pay your money and you are in

INVEST in vegas.....sounds like you want to take the $ you would be SAVING from going to cali and blow it in vegas ... Its all about the kids,their playing and exposure to top scouts for a hopeful future....i guess you dont feel that its money well spent on your child...different views for different parents....

Everyone knows AAU is all about talent. Bring the right kids together and dominate. Well the Jayhawks defy that exact premise. MCV Hooper is right. I would take Jordan over Larosa, Carson over Stoyle, and Evan over Nelson. So, why dont we give some of the real credit to Dunham? He gets more out of these kids than anyone. Pastore's idea of coaching is going get another 6' 10" kid, Trovoato cant get to 500 in Haverhill (I know the user fees, we get it), and what the heck has Hazelton even coached? Dunham has a proven system that defies the odds and beats giants. Ask the coach from BABC who he would rather not have to coach against....I guarantee Dunham is on a very short list.

I would also go on a limb and say Leo would not want to play against the rivals and Vin Pastore. Its a proven fact that the Rivals have built their reputation on playing hard. If you go back to my earlier statements I gave Dunham credit. I think he does a wonderful job . But face it his teams are not better than the Rivals teams. Now the Rivals have been at it alot longer than the Jay Hawks and NH basketball is at a very low level right now . So I think in the future the Jay Hawks will defanately get better, but right now its not even close. Honestly I would love to see the game happen. I just dont think either program would do it . Both programs have played well beyond expectations. Also a note on the Boston Shoot out that tournament was a joke. Rivals,New England Playaz, or Team Expressions were not invited . UMMM I wonder why????? Because all three of those teams are better than BABC . Leo would never have that :)

Good comments all. I missed the Boston Shootout this year.

Any chance we will get some coverage of Hoops for Hope and the girls league over at NECCO this summer?

Very Good topic, but the Rivals would kick the crap out of the J-Hawks . They do not have one scholarship player as of date. If so name them. These kids are all going to prep school because they have no offers on the table. If you have to go to prep school to recieve a a div 2 ship then you arent that good. Those kids are have not even been offered by their home d2 schools . And I know why!!!!!!!!!!!!! Because Hanell Valez , and Bill marsden both players in the Rivals program have taken the scholarship . Will Bayliss getting a ship!!!!!! You must be crazy , the kid cant get out of the first round in the high school playoffs. And to top it off he's 5ft2 and cant shoot.

Hey Hector,
I have a great idea the eagle tribune sports writers should have a writing contest against the Boston Globe and Herald . Lets see who are better writers .

I don't know how to respond to that. There are a million writing competitions out there, APSE, Pulitzer, NEPA, NENA, NEAPNEA ...
We've won plenty and lost plenty more. And the dominating theme in all of them, the only people with any interest in them at all are the journalists themselves. Nobody else cares. Sooooo ... Why would you even present such a scenario? Can we sell tickets and raise money? Do the same people that enjoy watching Carson swat shots want to buy tickets to watch me dot I's or cross T's? I think not.
Hmmm. Watch a phenom at 6-11 take jump shots or watching a fat, 40-something old man jump to conclusions?
I'll take the former and we'll let you slide on the latter.

Here is the scary part... We are talking about the Jayhawk program and the best 17's are playing with the Rivals. Put the all star rosters together and play I would say the NH talent is very good right now and dispite having half the population. So lets now talk about talent in NH while much of it is in other programs the talent is still in NH.

Hector, nice piece in Monday's Trib about the local AAU basketball programs and the good HS talent going up against the best in Vegas. BUT enough with the Hoops! It's baseball season, how about the "Boys of Summer". What about the local baseballers, and a prestiges AAU program over there in North Andover. Dave Bettencourt/Dave Blank have managed to assemble some great local talent and aquire sponsorship from Reebok for their National tour. On a recent trip this past weekend they managed to do damage in a talented 18U Long Island tourney although most of the boys are 16 and a couple of 17 years old. Lawrence High pitcher Yunior Vasquez put together a dominant performance with 13K's out of a possible 15 batters. Perhaps some ink should go their way. Willing to bet some boys from this team have the "pro scouts" a calling. Maybe you should catch a game or two as they have a few local dates on the schedule up in Tewksbury. The "Firebirds" program has sent a few good ball players to Div.1 schools and the professional ranks. Team Reebok, this years version goes up against the best baseball players in the country in Cobb Georgia over the 4th of July holiday. Hoping to hear more about summer baseball and the talent we have playing at the Legion and Showcase level. Help us out here Hector, blog it up...maybe a story on a slow sports day in the Trib. LETS SEE SOME BIG TIME BASEBALL!

What a shameless plug for DB's programs. Hec, I hope you charge them for the ad space.

What about the shameless plugs for the Mass Rivals, Jayhawks, Boston Shootout, Coaches, etc. Just want to hear some basebal talk. I guess it shameless to highlight talented young baseball players...Basketball must be king in the Merrimack Valley... come on' make the argument, don't attack the bloger. I'm sorry sir, but in New England hardball reign's #1. RedSox sell out 500 in a row, need I say more!

Hec, Make a note of this day and time. You have a blogger comapring the Boston Red Sox Franchise to the CCHS baseball team. Pelletier has got to be happy with how he's got these people drinking the koolaid. The article was about a local team with local players who BEAT A NATIONAL POWERHOUSE. That can't be said for DB, for CCHS not even the great Dick Licare can say he did that. But, the little engine that could from the great State of Granite did it. Now go back to your ground balls using wooden paddles, or whatever it is that makes you who you are and let the MV hoop scene just wash over you.

Love that response :) Baseball in the MVC is a joke . We all know HOOP IS KING in these parts . Hector we need more hoop talk !!!!!!!

Woa, woa, woa, woa ...
Perhaps the glare from AL Gold Glove and Comeback Player of the Year trophies on Carlos Pena's mantel have blinded AAU baller.
You stepped into a pile of donkey doo here with this one Ball-a. Baseball is my baby.
As much as I love hoops, there is nothing like HS baseball, and we've acquitted ourselves quite nicely in the region lately.
Look at our region. Besides Carlos, we've got Andover's Ryan Hanigan, yes another MVC product, starting behind the dish in Cincinnati and Londonderry's Brian Wilson, who recently saved win No. 300 for Randy Johnson, closing in San Fran.
Go down the road a bit and the names Glavine, or should I say soon-to-be Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and Disarcina pop up, too.
What impact have we made in hoops?
Scott Hazelton in Luxembourg is a nice accomplishment, but until Carson Desrosiers we've haven't had a shot at the NBA since Leo Parent just missed making the Golden State Warriors in the late 1980s.
All he had to do was beat out Chris Mullen, Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway.
Baseball has become our bread-and-butter sport. Look at all the minor leaguers and draftees around.
We've had Wayne Lucier, Rob konrad and Zak DeOssie in the NFL, with big Pete Clifford still on the cusp of the dream lately.
We have had a sprinkling of lower minor league type hockey players from the region, too in the last decade.
Hoops is gaining, but it's not king.
Although, I admit, for atmosphere and fans, there is nothing like a packed, spirited gym in February or March to get the juices flowing.
I love hoops too, but baseball, as I said, is my baby. So step off.
HL

They make Chocolate and Vanilla for a reason, but the facts are the facts. A HS Baseball game is played in front of parents. Oh, my bad, plus the phony guy holding the +10 mph gun behind the backstop. A HS hoop game is in front of a packed gym with pressure, excitement, and good players. This crap that a sport is only judged on who we send to the pros is comical. The average fan is there for the entertainment factor, not to be able to say I saw Scott Hazelton play when he was in HS. Your passion for baseball is because you harken back to a day when you had that big first basemen's mitt stretching half way to second base to get the out. Baseball is all about was in the past. Basketball is the HERE AND NOW.

We should not be promoting kids playing basketball in the summer. The summer is for baseball and then get ready for football. Too many kids that just play basketball. We should be encouraging kids to play multiple sports. Time to run the Mike Muldoon article on this topic.

See. Here's the problem. Why is Summer for baseball? Who is some old timer with a calendar to say OK It's April, put away your basketball and take out your baseball glove. This is a new generation. We live in a world where you can play any sport 365. Heck, Haverhill even offers a fencing program now. Let's get rid of the stereotypes that say you need to play more than one sport. Why? Who has proven that is the best way for an athlete to become a true sportsman? If a kid is as passionate about a sport and there is a venue for him to play year round then god bless.

Any person that wants to see all this talent for free should attend the scott hazelton basketball school from July 5-7 at the rockingham athletic club. It is free to watch and you can hang with some of the top coaches in college basketball who have committed to attend. Wakeforest, Umass, GT, Cuse, ND and many others. Camp is open to all high school players. You are welcome for the free plug, can I get some free wings and a beer at the bar above the courts?

The problem is I hear too many kids regret after the fact not playing another sport. If you want to play one sport wait till after high school. The high school days are a small window of time. The kids are missing out on experiences that are not going to be there forever. I agree with the person who made the comment let the kid play year round if he wants to. But, lets remember that we are dealing with kids and it is are job to guide them through this time in thier lives, and encourage other activities that may, in fact, help them become a better basketball player. I believe Mike Muldoon said, "playing in your 155th AAU basketball game is not going to matter much." Lets be sure that the kids actually want to play basketball all year and they are not being pressured to do so.

According to Dunham, the Jayhawks and Rivals 16's and 17's will be scrimmaging each other sometime in July.

As for the one sport/multi-sport debate. It has shifted to more kids going for just one sport because the kids want to get scholarships, their parents want their kids to get scholarships, the high school coaches want their players to get scholarships, etc. In order to give yourself the best chance at a scholarship, you have to play ball year round. There's the high school season in the winter, AAU in the spring and summer, camps, clinics and high school summer leagues/high school tournaments in the summer, open gyms and fall leagues in the fall. And year round you have to be working on your game in the gym or working on your strength and conditioning. If you're not doing one o those things, like for example playing baseball in the spring instead of doing AAU, there's another kid out there who is and he's going to get that last roster spot or that last scholarship offer at the next level instead of you.

One final thought, yes the talent in Mass is obviously better than it is in NH, but let's not forget Desrosiers is actually from Windham and Marsden is actually from NH as well.

Basketball scholarship??? I am talking about this area. How many kids are getting scholarships? Give me list and a will bet you they didn't need 365 days of basketball to get it. If your good your good, they will find you.

Or a lotta hard work behind the scenes NOBODY sees. Kids that get bball scholarships usually just play bball.

I believe that by playing 3 sports in high could hurt you too Dan. Look at Colby Verge of Pinkerton. He was a 3-sport athlete but never really excelled at any of them, now if he took more time into one, he could have been a stronger person in that sport. How many people do you know of out of Salem or in this area that would have the chace to gain a scholarship in any sport if they are 3-sport athlete?

Terry Doyle went to BC for baseball, also played basketball. Pete Clifford Michigan St. football, also played basketball and track. Tom Klemm went to St. John's for baseball, also played basketball and ran cross country. Anthony Derosa went to St. Johns's played baseball, also played basketball. Chris White went to St. Micheal's College plays basketball, also ran cross country and track. Chris Scharon played football at Buffalo, also did track. Tom Sweeney plays baseball at Iona, also ran cross country. All of these athletes got scholarship money to play at college and the other sports that they play helped them achieve that. This list is just off the top of my head I am sure there are more that I missed. And this is just for Salem, I bet people out there can compile a list to prove my point. I have witnessed to many times kids that "FOCUS" on one sport, and it very seldom works out for them, then I hear from the same kids "I wish I played football, basketball, etc.." I don't think in my comments I mentioned the three sport athlete, I would just like to see more two sport athletes.

I get your point, but those people were very at good those sports I don't really hear many people from Salem now who are really good at sports. I believe in just one sport if that what is best.

Did you agree with Steve Savage playing just one sport? He was by far the best basketball player in the state a few years ago. What did all of that time focusing on basketball get him? Playing for Daniel Webster. I love this kid and know he was a good baseball player and probably could have had a great experience on the football field. Why spend all that time on the on sport if the result is a division 3 college. I will say it again, don't tell me that it's a good thing for kids to miss out on other high school sports. You better be a more talented basketball player than Steve Savage if you want to go at least Division 2 ball. I watch alot of basketball, most in NH, some of the christmas tourny, I have not seen too many players better than Steve.

Dan,

Maybe kids play only hoop becuase they have a love for it, it is their choice. Let the kids decide what they want to do.

I agree with playing multiple sports but, here is the deal. Let's look at Basketball which has turned into a year round sport. In the Valley you have Hoops for Hope, AAU, etc.. and if you don't play don't even think about making the HS team.. The Coaches have implemented this system.. I can name many kids who are great athletes but play baseball(in season sport) and get shut out of the Basketball program because of this.. I actually know one kid who was told if you don't play in the summer don't try out..

Mike, the athletic director of that school should be involved in that situation. How does that happen?

Not many people are going to go cry to the AD.. the kid knows he will become an outcast in the school for being a rat.. just real world..

That's a twisted version of the truth. What he was probably told was "Hey right now you're not good enough to play. By playing in the summer you have a much better chance of making the team. If you dont play, it will certainly not help you make the team". Too many marginal players hear what they want to hear in those "come to Jesus" meetings. Out in the parks these kids think they are all world, yet they can't play team ball to save their lives. There isnt a varsity coach out there that thinks by playing for a summer team he'll become good enough to make the varsity team. Summer ball is all about touches.

Steve, did you read any of my comments? Maybe I care too much. I will let the kids decide and then listen to the regrets.

Dan Keleher has it exactly right in all his posts. But let's be honest, in the 'single sport athlete' we're talking almost exclusively about basketball players playing other sports. Nobody's wondering why football players aren't throwing the shot or running sprints on the track team because they are. But if you look at the best hoops players in the area in the last ten years or so, most of them played only hoops. And that's a shame because they clearly could have helped their schools in other sports. Carson on the volleyball team? Any number of Lawrence backcourt waterbugs on the track team? You just hate to see a kid who's 17 going on 24 because he's playing his 97th AAU game of the summer. They are kids, and anything that enhances their high school experience is a good thing. If I recall, both LaPierre and Lucier played hoops while at the Prep. Didn't seem to slow them down on the football field.

What a firestorm. It's a given in today's climate that a majority of kids chose a singular focus in sports. Many out of need, some out of choice, and yet others due to misplaced allegiance or tunnel vision. Sometimes there is just not enough time to aquire the necessary skill to excell in multiple sports. The HS athlete, lest us forget, requires academic skill as well. Put it all together and you can see why the 3 sport athlete is a virtually obsolete. Contrary to popular believe, it is impossible to walk out on the football, basketball, or baseball field and excell against athletes that train year round. In return though, we have some very skilled teenagers and some enjoyable sporting events. Personally, as a fan, I need a change. I prefer now to watch some good baseball and would hope the local scribes find an interesting game or two to cover. Love to watch a good "Summer" basketball game on occasion, but it's baseball season. Get your fill with Hoops for Hope and stop dreaming about pseudo-fantasy high school matchups. Let's face it, when it comes to Hoops nationally we are at the botton. How many McDonald's All Americans come from MA/NH. We've had a plethora of baseball talent playing professionally and many more to come, so get out of the gym and watch some local baseball...one day you may see a player or two that you watched locally in the "bigs". Not going happen in hoops...that's for sure!

How can you say NH AAU is on a low level. I think we are forgeting that the RIVALS had to go to NH to get their starting 2 gaurd Jordan!! I also think we are forgeting the Carson is from NH and played NH AAU forever! And I also believe Madol is from NH, and wait so is Mike Thorpe!
So how about we leave the NH kids in NH and leave the MA kids in MA!
The jayhawks U17s arent even the best team in the program!Jayhawks chose not to go to CA because of the money.
Vin is horrible coach, he has the talent so they win. Its not hard to win when you have 6'10,7',6'9 up front.
Hanell got his scholarship bc Romeo Diaz wasnt around, Marsden wont see a minute at SNHU.
Bartoldus is a mid major D1 prospect, he got hurt lst year and played 6 games. Dean is high D1 football prospect and has D2 basketball offers in. Stoyle will go to the Patriot or Ivy league, Nelson will be a D2 scholarship player.
Jayhawks and Rivals will be doing a camp together!

A few of my own observations about sports: When it comes to aau on a national level,Ma,NH are not even on the map. It does make players improve their game by going up against players much better than they are. If kids want to play 1 sport let them.Let them play as many sports as they want,it's their decision. Having kids involved in sports definately keeps them focused in their school work. Both my kids did very well with scholarship money. Coach Fazio should be considered coach of the year every year. He manages to get his team in the post season every year.