5 Players Who Popped: Mass Huskies

Bash Hudson

March 19, 2021 @ 08:00 AM

I sat in on a skills night for the Mass Huskies top 2022 and 2023 teams, and the amount of talent in the gym was jaw-dropping. The Huskies play an uptempo brand of basketball, so coach Dan Beauchemin puts a premium on conditioning and constant movement. This practice was entertaining, and the variety of skill sets displayed by every player had me excited to watch this team in the upcoming months. Here are 5 players who stood out from the night: https://x.com/MAHuskies/status/1371649283183800322 Alanna Phillipo - Millbury High - 5’9’’ - SG/SF - 2023 Phillipo is one of the most difficult players to defend, and it is primarily due to her size and athleticism. Her superior upper body strength and quick first step allow her to power past defenders and get in the paint where she can initiate and finish through contact. Skilled with the ball in her hands, Phillipo does an excellent job creating separation to get her jump shot off. She is so confident in her scoring ability that she will still rise up and bury shots extending beyond the three-point line, even if highly contested. Phillipo is the type of scorer that you give the ball to and clear out. She has the offensive tools and the killer mentality to score on anyone in a one-on-one situation, making her the ideal player to run your offense through in late-game situations. What makes the sophomore wing so special is that she can impact the game on the defensive side of the ball. She can guard multiple positions along with defending various individual play styles. Possessing the quickness to stay in front of players on the perimeter but has the strength to push wings off the block if they try to post her up. Phillipo has flown under the radar this spring because Millbury did not play this winter, but her name should be buzzing throughout the state this spring. Lauren Cho Lauren Cho 5'9" | CG Hopkinton | 2022 State New E - Hopkington High - 5’9’’ - SG/PG - 2022 Cho is a gifted offensive player who gets into the paint effortlessly. A fantastic facilitator and decision-maker, Cho is terrific at dropping bounce passes off to her big under the hoop when the defense collapses on her. An explosive scorer when attacking the rim but also can kill you from the three-point line. As brilliant an offensive player that Cho is, it is her defense that sticks out. She possesses the physical tools to be a force guarding the ball, and the combination of her length and lateral quickness will give offensive players fits. The way she moves east to west, combined with her size, makes Cho the perfect option to guard the opposing team’s point guard. Cho is well conditioned, hawk slides better than anyone, and plays with maximum effort; therefore, she can hound ball handlers up the court and use her length to force poor decision making. With the ability to also defend the 2 and the 3, Cho’s defensive versatility will be vital to the Huskies’ success this spring. Kiara Cerruti Kiara Cerruti 5'9" | SG Canton | 2022 State New E - Canton High - 5’9’’ - SG - 2022 Cerruti is one of the most confident shooters I have seen, and shame on me for not including her in my "Splash Sisters" articles because she is the definition of the term. Her shot is a thing of beauty. Cerruti’s quick release, rainbow arc, and precision are picture-perfect, making her a player defense can’t take their eyes off of and locate at all times. Cerruti is a deadly sharpshooter coming off of screens, spotting up and off the dribble. With the ability to terrorize teams with her outside shooting consistently, the 5’9’’ guard fits seamlessly with the Huskies’ fast-paced, high-powered offense led by penetration and kick point guards. Also, Cerruti can be a threat in transition, finding holes in the defense and being a dependable shooting option when the Huskies have numbers on the break. Felicia Fongemie - Marianapolis Prep - 5’7’’ - 2023 Fongemie was one of the craftier ball handlers I saw the other night. It was impressive watching her weave in and out of the defense on the way to the rack. A lightning rod in transition, Fongemie is one of the most innovative on the break showcasing a variety of different crossovers and finishes. She was one of the most competitive players in the gym, and her intensity level was sky-high. Outside of Fongemie’s polished skill set, as an observer, you have to appreciate her attitude, toughness, and how she demands excellence every time she steps on the floor. If she misses a makeable shot by her standards, Fongemie becomes more focused, aggressive and does not settle for anything less than two points when the next scoring opportunity presents itself. Fongemie is a gamer who is as mentally tough as anyone I’ve watched this year. Ana Von Rumohr Ana Von Rumohr 5'11" | SF Rivers | 2023 State New E - Rivers - 5’11’’ - 2022 I’ve written about Von Rumohr in the past, highlighting her proficient shooting and scoring ability, but the film does not do her game justice. I did not realize how big and strong Von Rumohr was until I saw her in person. She has the physical makeup of a wing that can dominate at will. Basketball players, whether they are on the girls’ or boys’ side, would kill to have the combination of size, strength, endurance, and shooting ability that Von Rumohr possesses. What makes the Rivers wing more impressive is that her leadership skills are off the charts. She was the loudest player in the gym, doing her best to galvanize the team and push them through drills. The leadership intangibles and vocalization are characteristics that do not show up on film. Hence, it is imperative to watch Von Rumohr in-person to paint the full picture of how she is one of the most complete basketball players. https://x.com/BashHoopsNE/status/1371611530731659264