Ethan Elie, Senior, Braintree
Braintree graduated 11 seniors at the end of last year.
The Wamps will look very different this winter, but one thing that will be the same is Ethan Ellie making an impact on the floor.
The senior was the conference’s MVP of the Herget Division last season, regularly scoring in the double digits. Elie got a lot of his points through being one of the conference’s best catch-and-shoot players from behind the arc. On defense, the senior is great at getting in a ball-handler’s blind spot, and stripping him for a turnover.
Braintree opens its season against Walpole on Dec. 12.
Foster Wilinski, Senior, Needham
Wilkinski can do a little of everything on offense for the Rockets.
The 6-foot-5 senior is a returning Bay State Conference All-Star and was a player to watch coming into last season. Wilkinski forces double teams on the low block, is able to hit the open cutter in the paint, make corner 3-pointers and has good enough court vision to see a back-door cut opening and take advantage of it. Wilkinski is set to be one of the players coach Paul Liner will lean on the most in key moments this winter.
Caleb Haynes, Junior, Brookline
Haynes was a young bright spot on a talented Brookline team that finished 16-7 last winter. This season, he is set to be one of the team’s leaders on the floor.
The junior was asked to play a lot of minutes and intense defense for the Warriors last season and he excelled. When Primarily ball-handler Aaron Viola was shut off, Haynes stepped in and was able to orchestrate the offense. His ability to kick-start a fast break with a steal and finish it himself on the other end with a layup makes him one of the conference’s most explosive ball-handlers.
Brookline opens its season against Natick on Dec. 12 at home.
Mathaios Stamm, Senior, Newton North
Newton North was powered by two strong seniors, Teagan Swint and Nick Spinelli, last winter, with Stamm being one of the next players up to lead the team in big moments.
With both Swint and Spinelli graduated, expect Stamm, who is a captain this year, to take a leap forward.
The senior regularly scored in the double digits while contributing on the offensive and defensive glass. Stamm uses his 6-foot-1 frame well, getting his arms into passing lanes, and making it difficult for opponents to cut into the paint.
The Tigers open their season against Framingham on Dec. 12.
Ryan McDonald, Senior, Walpole
McDonald was a conference player to watch last season, and he is again coming into this season.
The senior is a high-level shooter, regularly scoring in double digits, including a season-high 46 points against Weymouth last winter. McDonald can do a little bit of everything. His willingness to put his body on the line and take charges on defense makes him a team-first player, which is a big reason why he is one of Walpole’s captains this winter. McDonald was named a conference all-star in each of the last two seasons.
Walpole opens its season against Braintree on the road on Dec. 12.
