NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – From the outset of Friday morning's EYBL semifinal between the Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC) and Oakland Soldiers,
Nerlens Noel controlled the action.
At times it seemed almost unfair.
The 6-foot-10, 210-pound Everett, Mass., native hurried, disrupted, discouraged or flat-out erased countless shot attempts by the Soldiers en route to 11 blocks and more importantly, a surprisingly-easy 74-60 victory for BABC that wasn't as close as the final score indicated.
Nerlens Noel
Photo by Nick Koza
Noel added 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead BABC to Friday night's EYBL/Peach Jam championship game against Memphis YOMCA. The contest will be televised live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. EDT.
"I try to anchor the defense for my team, get everybody contributing and let the offense come," Noel said.
That's been a successful formula for Noel all week. Rated No. 3 in MaxPreps.com's Class of 2013 Top 100, he is averaging 11.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.1 blocked shots per game in the EYBL Finals at the Nike Peach Jam. While his scoring numbers aren't eye-popping, he has the ability to wow on the offensive end with baseline drives (usually finished with a dunk), alley-oops (dunk) and put-backs (again, dunk).
His offensive arsenal may be limited at this point, but his college choices won't be. While he is nowhere near a decision, coaches from powerhouse programs like Connecticut, Duke, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State and Syracuse have made their presence felt at his games this week at the Riverview Park Activities Center.
Noel attends
Tilton School (N.H.), a school also home to four other BABC players –
Dominique Bull,
Wayne Selden,
Georges Niang and
Goodluck Okonoboh. It may be no coincidence that BABC is one of the more well-oiled machines on the Nike circuit.
"The chemistry is through the roof," Noel said. "We all know each other real well off the court and it goes to show how good we play together. We all complement each other."
Making the decision to attend Tilton – a college prep boarding school around 90 minutes from home – was a difficult one after attending Everett High School as a freshman and sophomore. His impact was limited in his final year there after suffering a broken leg.
"It was real tough leaving my family and going to a boarding school," Noel said. "I knew it was the right choice for me. It was hard, but I had to do it."
Originally a 2012 prospect, Noel re-classified upon arriving at Tilton. There has been some speculation that he could return to his original class, but for now winning a Peach Jam title is the focus.
"We want it," Noel said. "Coach (Leo Papile) was saying that seven times we have been to (tournament) championships and we haven't got it. We are going to do it for coach."
