This is the last Sunday Coffee Report of 2023 (enter sad face emoji). There is no better way to end the calendar year than the Shooting Touch Tournament at Nobles. It’s a small slate of games, but you get good matchups between some of NEPSAC’s best. I watched 4 games and have a few quick takeaways heading into 2024.
Tilton vs. Rivers
| 1H | 2H | F | |
| Tilton | 38 | 33 | 71 |
| Rivers | 17 | 37 | 54 |
Tilton lost to Worcester Academy on December 10th. Their next 5 games they won: 74 – 56 vs. New Hampton, 71-50 vs. Storm King, 73-38 vs. NMH, 58-51 VS. Hoosac and beat Rivers yesterday 71-54. They are the hottest team hooping right now, and they are shoving the basketball down everyone’s throat on both ends. It seems they can put up 70+ on anyone, and they are getting strong er defensively as a unit.
Saturday vs. Rivers was perhaps the biggest statement of the year. Ahnay Adams came out and dominated from the jump and showed everyone why she is the best player in New England. It was a monster 30-point effort for Adams and did so without breaking a sweat. Brooke Muller played her best game of the season and was a force inside. You are starting to see the impact of Tilton’s length and depth, and they show zero signs of slowing down.
Nobles vs. Hoosac
| 1H | 2H | F | |
| Nobles | 35 | 39 | 74 |
| Hoosac | 21 | 38 | 59 |
I was very impressed with Hoosac on Saturday. One thing about Hoosac is that they will always play hard physical defense and force you to take bad shots. They can weather the Nobles’ storm, and halt their runs with solid halfcourt defense. Carolina Williams played a significant role with her game-high 23 points (15 in the 3rd quarter). She is one of the most underrated players in NEPSAC. Williams has been one of the most consistent guards in the league.
What I like about Nobles is that they have shown different ways to win games. Someone different can step up every night and lead them to victory. Ashley Dinges led the way with 20 points, but I thought the biggest key to the win was the play of Nasi Simmons and Tahira Muhammad. Muhammad, I thought, played her best game of the season, and outside of her stellar defense, she was a dynamic playmaker. Simmons is always around the ball. Whether on the glass or in passing lanes, she always finds ways to impact the game. The activity of both of them helped Nobles keep control of the game and keep a pesky Hoosac team from cutting into the lead.
Hoosac vs. New Hampton
| 1H | 2H | F | |
| Hoosac | 26 | 22 | 48 |
| New Hampton | 22 | 21 | 43 |
Hoosac vs. New Hampton was a “must-watch” game because of how hard both teams play defensively. You knew it would be a rock fight and a grind to the finish.
Hoosac is arguably the best defensive teams in NEPSAC. They have done a number on multiple teams in the league, and Sunday was no different. If there was a “NEPSAC Defensive Player of the Year” award, forward Hannah Richardson might get my vote. Every time I watch her, she does an excellent job patrolling the paint and protecting the rim. Her motor and effort are top-tier and teams consistently struggle to execute when she is on the floor. Sophomore forward Uliana Doronina is a name to know. She is a skilled forward who can shoot, pass, and handle the ball. She is an impressive 6-footer.
New Hampton is one of the smallest teams, but they rebound at a high level. All their players attack the glass relentlessly and play sound defense in the halfcourt. Elyse Ngenda has been playing very well the past few games, and it looks like she’s found her offensive groove. I also like how New Hampton’s freshmen are developing. Guard Ava Perry and forward Shannon O’Leary were active and did a good job securing possessions for the team.
Rivers vs. Beaver Country Day
| 1H | 2H | F | |
| Rivers | 28 | 36 | 64 |
| BCD | 24 | 20 | 44 |
Beaver Country Day is officially on my radar after watching them earlier today. Jessie Silk is still an explosive scorer who was shooting the lights out in the first half vs. Rivers. Juice Coston is a promising freshman who has the potential to be one of the best guards in her class. I am also a big fan of guard Sanaii Diaz, who is a shot-maker and aggressive on-ball defender. I think BCD can make some noise in Class B and make another deep tournament run.
Sunday was a great bounce-back game for Rivers. BCD kept it competitive in the first half, but Rivers figured them out in the final two periods and pulled away. Katie Reale gave the team a spark off the bench and hit two big threes in the first half to stay in control of the game. Grace O’Sullivan had a monster weekend and, in both games, was highly impactful on offense and defense.
