MaxPreps' exclusive 2009 Massachusetts All-State and Honorable Mention squads consists of the top 40 boys basketball players chosen from 389 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association teams and over 4,000 varsity players. The major criteria for selection was each player's all-around talent with consideration given to the impact they made during the regular season and playoffs (if qualified) and to his team's relative strength of schedule.
Player of the Year: Carson Desrosiers
Six-foot-10 junior center Carson Desrosiers of Central Catholic is the 2009 MaxPreps Boys Player of the Year after averaging nearly a triple-double for the Raiders. The imposing center, who is being recruited by several Division 1 colleges, had 18 points, 15 rebounds and over 9 blocked shots a game to lead the Raiders to a 23-2 record and the Division 1 North finals. Though he has already been offered scholarships by various NCAA Division 1 colleges, he has yet to make a commitment.
First Team (Super Five)
Carson Desrosiers, 6-10 jr. center, Central Catholic (see above)
Matt LaBove, 6-9 sr. center, St. John's. The imposing presence of LaBove in the middle was a major reason why the Pioneers, the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps/National Guard rankings in Massachusetts, captured the Division 1 state title over Lynn English. Averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds per game and altering or blocking numerous shots, LaBove will attend Dartmouth College next year.
Ryan Woumn, 6-2 jr. guard, Lynn English. The smooth-operating and versatile point guard helped engineer two of the greatest upsets this season, first over top seed Central Catholic in the North finals and then over previously-unbeaten Brockton in the EMass finals. The Northeastern Conference Large MVP averaged 23 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds for the Division 1 EMass champion Bulldogs.
Bill Marsden, 5-11 sr. guard, Central Catholic. Marsden combined with Desrosiers for the most dominant inside-out duo in the state. The sharpshooter averaged more than 20 points and was the co-MVP of the Merrimack Valley Conference along with Desrosiers. He will play for Southern New Hampshire next season.
P.J. Douglas, 6-1 jr. guard, Braintree. This offensive tour-de-force was always a marked man but the Bay State Carey Conference MVP still managed to average almost 30 points and four assists, displaying an ability to finish with a resounding dunk or hit from downtown in leading the Wamps to an unexpected playoff berth.
Second Team:
Mike Clifford, 6-7 sr. center, Bishop Fenwick. The 6-7 center ruled Division 3 ranks this season by averaging 26.3 points, 18.5 rebounds and four blocked shots while amassing 1,707 points and 1,020 rebounds during his storied career. The three-time Catholic Central League All-Star recently made a commitment to attend NCAA Division 1 University of Buffalo.
Hanell Velez, 6-4 sr. guard, Woburn. As one of the most graceful and versatile small forwards in the state (20.5 ppg, 12 rpg), Velez exploded in the playoffs with 35 points against Burlington and 33 points against Milton in the Division 2 EMass finals. Next year Velez joins fellow All-Stater Bill Marsden at the University of Southern New Hampshire.
Allen Harris, 6-4 sr. forward, Catholic Memorial. A constant offensive threat, Harris can beat opponents off the dribble, pull up from mid-range or score beyond the arc and almost propelled the Knights, 2008 Division 2 state champs, to the finals again. Averaging 25 points and 11 rebounds, the MVP of the Catholic Conference had a spectacular 40-point game against host Brockton in a near upset (87-85) of the Division 1 Boxers.
David White, 6-1 jr. guard, St. John's. The rugged left-hander quietly and efficiently (14 ppg, 5 apg) set up his teamates throughout the past two seasons and played stellar defense in leading his squad twice to the state finals. He really shined in this year's state championship when he scored 15 points, dished out six assists and controlled the tempo for the Pioneers in defeating Lynn English for the Division 1 state title.
Marcus McDermott, 6-0 sr. guard, Milton. The savvy sharpshooter was as adept at driving to the basket as he was dishing off to his teammates or launching three-point daggers. As the MVP of the Bay State League’s Herget Division, he excelled during the playoff run helping the Wildcats charge to the Division 2 state title.
Third Team
Greg Kelley, 6-7 jr. forward, Newton North; Louis Montes, 6-4 sr. forward, Brockton; Anthony Trapasso, 6-3, sr. guard, St. John's; Jerome Cohen, 6-6 sr. forward, Everett; Kyle Stockmal, 6-3 sr. guard, Watertown.
Fourth Team:
Jarrad DeVaughn, 6-2 sr. forward, Brockton; Darius Carter, 5-11 sr. guard, Dorchester; Dan O'Keefe, 6-5 sr. forward, Lexington; Richard Rodgers, 6-3 soph. forward, St. John's; Ike Azotam, 6-7 sr. center, O'Bryant.
Honorable Mention:
Hamed Akanni, 5-11 sr. guard, Fitchburg; Rodney Beldo, 5-9 sr. guard, Scituate; Keith Brown, 6-1 sr. guard, Marlboro; Mark Brust, 6-1 jr. guard, Duxbury; Mike Byron, 5-11 sr. guard, Oliver Ames; Ellis Cooper, 6-1 sr. guard, Northampton, Kyle Dobson, 5-11 sr. guard, Fitchburg; John Genkos, 6-3 sr. guard, Doherty; Lance Greene, 6-1 sr. guard, Lexington, John Henault, 6-2 so. guard, St. Bernard's; Andre King, 6-0 jr. guard, Sabis; Peter Lynch, 6-6 sr. forward, Westford Academy; Jarell Njiiri, 6-2 sr. guard, Springfield Central; Ike Osafo, 6-4 sr. forward, North (Worcester); Mike Rivera, 6-0 sr. guard, Durfee; Jaymie Spears, 5-7 so. guard, Georgetown; Evan Taylor, 6-4 sr. forward, Stoughton; Colby Reese, 6-0 jr. guard, Shrewsbury, Yawin Smallwood, 6-4 jr. forward, Doherty; Shawn Yard, 5-10 sr. guard, Brockton.
