Mass Mavericks: Class of 2021 Player Evaluations

October 1st 2020 The Mass Mavericks have been a program to pay attention to in the New England Basketball landscape over the past seven years. With over a dozen players going on to play scholarship basketball and with over thirty or so actively playing in college basketball now, this club has been one every college coach should be aware of. In the recent weeks [player_tooltip player_id="183827" first="Lauren" last="Beach"] has accepted a full ride to Fairfield University in Connecticut. Having played most of her high school club basketball for the Mavericks she becomes the latest Mav player to get the chance to continue playing the game that she loves at the next level. She joins former Medway High School teammate Riley Childs (Boston University) and King Phillip stand out Shannon O’Conner (Bryant), as the most recent MIAA players from the Mavericks to accept a full Division 1 basketball scholarship. Abbie Miller of Millis High School has also committed to play basketball in college, as she has accepted a roster spot at Babson College in Wellesley. The lefty point guard has had an exceptional career at Millis High School while playing in three varsity sports since her freshman year. Capable of knocking down shots from six plus feet behind the three point line, as well as get to the basket at will Abbie finished last year as one of the top players in D4 MIAA Hoops. Leading her team in scoring and assists, as well as just flat out leading her team in energy and effort what she may lack in size she makes up for in drive and will power. The Mass Mavericks still have five players left in the 2021 Class who would make great additions to a college roster. With fall club practices running four nights a week and these student athletes continuing to get better week by week, we wanted to quickly highlight the players they have left and their current recruitment. [player_tooltip player_id="183831" first="Caroline" last="Klemm"] of Needham High School, was an All State Player as a junior and lead her team to a high state ranking with double doubles in every game in which she played last season. The 5’11 power forward is one of the strongest unsigned athletes left in the MA Class of 2021 and can really change the game on both sides of the ball. Klemm has the ability to knock down the three point shot, but is not shy about creating contact and finishing around the basket. She is a hardnosed, competitive player who continues to develop her skill set while simultaneously working on her strength and physical condition. It is evident she has been in the weight room over the last nine months and should be again in contention for one of the best players in the MIAA this coming winter. Currently hold interest from several DII Programs and is highly sought after from DIII programs across the East Coast. Kaleigh Houlihan of Franklin High School, worked her way into the starting lineup last winter for the undefeated D1 State Champ Panthers and continues to play with a chip on her shoulder. With a much improved jump shot from beyond the arch and a grit on defense that is very seldom matched, she would be a slam dunk for a college roster. One of the hardest working players in the Mavericks organization and to say she is tough would be an understatement. Currently speaking with DIII Coaches from across New England and for good reason. She is not the type of player to need to be challenged to compete and tries every practice, every drill to beat who ever lines up across from her. [player_tooltip player_id="183874" first="Mia" last="Folliard"] of The Rivers School has one of the purest strokes from beyond the arch for any player in her class, but standing at 6’2 it is a sight to see. She still has some work to do in gaining strength and balance, but is a really intriguing college prospect for her length, size, and ability to knock down shots from long range. Mia has current interest from Tufts, NYU and WashU as well as a handful of other NESCAC and UAA schools. Likely to have a strong year at The Rivers School for first year head coach Lindsay Miller, as the Red Wings compete in the top class of NEPSAC Basketball, Folliard is only going to continue to improve and get better between now and the start of her college career. [player_tooltip player_id="183865" first="Elizabeth" last="Wilson"] of Franklin High School has been with the Mavericks since she was in the 5th grade. She played a valuable role, along Houlihan as staples of the FHS backcourt last season. She has the ability to knock down the three and complements it with really impressive court vision. Every drill in practice she demonstrates very strong ball handling skills as well as drive to push outside of her comfort zone to improve. Currently speaking with DIII college coaches from the Little East, the Commonwealth Coast Conference and the NEWMAC Elizabeth is looking to find the best fit for her both on and off the court. Arianna Linoxilakis of Weston High School has had one of the best off seasons of any player across the MIAA. The 6’1 forward has always shown the ability to play both around the basket and from the wing, but has come into the fall with a noticeable increase in both her conditioning and her overall strength. Arianna is a little bit of a late bloomer, but is coming into her own at just the right time. Having spent the summer in Greece, working with a national club team it is evident how much time and energy she has put into her game and how much better she is because of it. Would not be surprised to see her gather DII interest as she continues to play her in America throughout the fall and winter. If she is able to make the same progressions over the next 12 months, that she has made in the last 12 months there is no denying she has the chance to play right away in college where ever she ends up.