Tournament Standouts: Bay State Games

The Bay State Games were loaded with talent on every team that stepped on the court. From rising seniors down to rising freshmen, this tournament highlighted some very talented prospects from Massachusetts. Below are a few standouts that got my attention last weekend and who I will be keeping an eye on moving forward.   [player_tooltip player_id="287660" first="Cristina" last="Negron"] - Team West/Central - 5’7’’ - CG - ’22 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309507" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/27270512_Unknown-crop-1639x1076-1626892717-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’22 Rank: #70 Negron stood out last weekend because she checked the most crucial box for point guard responsibilities. That meant not being careless with the ball and making intelligent decisions on offense. Negron did not stuff the stat sheet, but she was a significant asset on the court because she moved the ball and kept the offense flowing. Negron is a good athlete and strong, so she can muscle her way past defenders and get into the paint while making a good touch on her jump shot, showing range extending beyond the three-point line. Negron is not a flashy player but makes many impactful plays that lead to positive offensive possessions.   [player_tooltip player_id="309180" first="Yamirelis" last="Matos"] - Team West/Central - 5’7’’ - CG - ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/27270464_Unknown-crop-1639x1076-1626892677.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309505" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/27270464_Unknown-crop-1639x1076-1626892677-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> ’22 Rank: WL Matos was one of the best slashers from over the weekend who constantly got into the paint and made plays. The crafty lefty combo guard was hard to contain and virtually unstoppable, penetrating with her strong hand. I liked the pace Matos played at and how under control she was, changing speed and direction in transition. Saturday morning especially, Matos was locked in and scoring effortlessly, winning every single one-on-one matchup. Also, I was a fan of her defensive intensity. Matos excelled at pickpocketing the ball handler, which ignited her fast break opportunities that she converted repeatedly.   [player_tooltip player_id="309181" first="Rachel" last="Carpenter"] - Team West/Central - 5’8’’ - SG - ’25 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309503" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/27270496_Unknown-crop-1639x1076-1626892634-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’25 Rank: WL Carpenter was one of the most efficient shooters I saw. She was shooting with so much confidence I was stunned to find out she was a rising freshman. There are not many sharpshooters like Carpenter in the ’25 class with her combination of acumen, length, and quick release. If you left Carpenter open, she would bury the shot and all weekend long made the defense pay. Carpenter is also a good ball-handler who can put the ball on the deck and is comfortable driving by defenders. Carpenter is a guard to keep an eye on going forward because she can make some noise in the rankings due to her prolific shooting.   [player_tooltip player_id="309499" first="Gianna" last="Langone"] - Team West/Central - 6’1’’ - PF - ’22 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309501" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/27270480_Unknown-crop-1639x1076-1626892593-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’22 Rank: WL Langone was the best big at the Bay State Games. No team had an answer for her around the basket, and she got the easiest shot opportunities because of her size and strength. When Langone caught the ball on the block, it led to an open attempt at the rim. She made it look easy all weekend. Langone ran the floor well and was a huge presence on the boards. I not only liked Langone on the offensive end but thought she added value on defense. Her 6’1’’ frame patrolling the paint made it very hard for the opposing team to get clean looks in the lane.   [player_tooltip player_id="309494" first="Phoebe" last="Katilus"] - Team Coastal - 5’11’’ - SG - ’23 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309496" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/27270544_Unknown-crop-1519x998-1626892271-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’23 Rank: WL Katilus was the biggest sleeper from the weekend because she had not been on the AAU circuit much this spring/summer, so this was my first opportunity to see her play. She immediately jumped out at me because of her size and length. Katilus is a big guard who can handle the ball well. Katilus "wowed" me with her feel for the game and passing, proving to be a great secondary ball-handling option on the court. She saw the floor well and set the table for her teammates and any off-guard from the tournament. She finishes around the rim and moves well without the ball, finding gaps in the defense where she can be most effective. Katilus is someone to keep on your radar because of her combination of skill and physical gifts.