October ushers in the official start of college basketball as teams begin practices. Follow along as Pickin’ Splinters highlights the incoming classes of the MAAC that are “signed, sealed and delivered.”
Time to look at the Manhattan Jaspers.
Manhattan lost to Siena 68-66 in the opening round of the MAAC tournament. There is a new wind blowing in Riverdale. Steve Masiello took over the reins last spring, and he introduced five freshmen to Manhattan: DeCarlos Anderson, Emmy Andujar, Donavan Kates, Ryan McCoy and RaShawn Stores.
DeCarlos Anderson 6’1″ 180lbs. G Portsmouth, Va. – IC Norcross
Played four years at I.C. Norcom High School for head coach Leon Goolsby… garnered First Team All-Eastern Regional, Second Team All-State and Second Team All-Tidewater honors after averaging 15.8 points as a senior at I.C. Norcom… helped lead I.C. Norcom to a 30-1 overall record as the Greyhounds finished the 2010-2011 season ranked in the top 10 nationally in six polls… Rivals.com and MaxPreps.com had the Greyhounds as high as No. 3, while I.C. Norcom ranked No. 4 in the Powerade FAB 50 ESPN RISE poll and No. 6 in USA Today… served as a key part of I.C. Norcom’s run for its second straight state title averaging 14.4 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, dished out nine assists and logged seven steals over the Greyhounds’ three playoff contests.
What they’re saying about Anderson – Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “He’s a pretty good shooter but a little small for a 2-guard. He’s going to have to show that he can handle the bump and grind at that level. Catch and shoot jumpers are his strength.”
Emmy Andujar 6’5″ 205lbs. F Bronx, N.Y. – Rice
Played four years at Rice High School for head coach Moe Hicks… helped guide Rice to the 2011 CHSAA class AA championships game averaging 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a senior… named to the All-CHSAA Second Team and received CHSAA All-Tournament Team honors after scoring a game-high 28 points and 18 rebounds in the title contest against Christ the King… helped lead Rice to 19 wins and earn the 2010-2011 Archdiocese of New York AA Championship… selected to the New York Daily News All-Manhattan Second Team… member of Rice’s 2009 New York State Class AA Championship team.
What they’re saying about Andujar – Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “”There’s something about this kid. People were worried about his foot speed, but he can just play. Any time Rice played well, Andujar was in the middle of it. He can handle the ball. He’s got a great combination of skills. He was missed by most people.”
Tom Sampogna/ Team Frenji Grassroots Basketball: “He one of those do-it-all kids. He can play a little 1,2, or 3. He can even play a little 4 if they go small. He’s a great hustle player who can score in bunches.”
Donovan Kates 6’6″ 200lbs. G Hopkinsville, Ky. – Christian County
Four year starter at Christian County High School for head coach Kerry Stovall… helped lead Christian County to the 2011 Kentucky State Championship… garnered Second Team All-Kentucky honors as a senior after averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per game, and shooting over 50% from the field during the Colonels’ 2011 Championship campaign… led Christian County as a senior with 77 3-pointers shooting nearly 40% beyond the arc… earned First Team All-Sweet 16 honors during the Colonels championship run and was named to the 2011 Kentucky All-Star Team… as a junior, selected Third Team All-State averaging 15 points and six rebounds while helping Christian County win 30 games and advance to the Kentucky Sweet 16 Tournament as the Region II representative… helped anchor the Colonels’ Region II Tournament Championship run and was named the Most Valuable Player… graduated third in Christian County history scoring over 1,400 career points… ranked in the top 10% academically of his high school graduating class.
Ryan McCoy 6’8 185lbs. F Skillman, N.J. – Montgomery
Played four years at Montgomery High School for head coach Kris Grundy… selected to the Star-Ledger All Group IV Second Team and All-Somerset County First Team as a senior after averaging 14 points, 10.9 rebounds and 5.2 blocks… helped lead Montgomery to the Skyland Conference title with an 11-1 league record… earned First Team All-Conference honors averaging 10 points, six rebounds and five assists as a junior… helped Montgomery post a 24-6 overall record as a junior as the Cougars won the Skyland Conference and win the Central Jersey Group IV sectional title… two-time All-Somerset Defensive Team honoree… played AAU ball for Team NJABC under head coach Matt Pauls.
What they’re saying about McCoy – Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “3-man with a decent jumper and good handle. He’s going to have to bulk up to succeed. His ace in the hole is he can shoot, and he can put the ball on the floor, but he will need time to get physically ready.”
RaShawn Stores 5’11” 195lbs. G Bronx, N.Y. – All Hallows/Robinson School
Lettered four years at All Hallows High School under head coach John Carey before playing one year of prep basketball at the Robinson School for head coach Vincent Robinson… teammates with Jaspers’ guard Michael Alvarado in 2008-2009 at All Hallows helping the Gaels advance to the CHSAA Class AA Intersectional semifinals… averaged 13.2 points for the Gaels in 2008-2009 to garner New York Daily News Second Team All-Bronx honors and Third Team All-CHSAA recognition… posted 12 points, four assists and two steals per game at the Robinson School… member of The Bronx team in the World Basketball Festival’s Battle of the Boroughs at Rucker Park in August 2010.
What they’re saying about Stores – Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “He gets up and down the floor and scores at the basket. He’s got to improve his jump shot, so that people have to play up on him. Otherwise, defenders will just play off, stop the ball and stop him.”
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