Fall River area high school boys basketball player to watch this winter
FALL RIVER — Another season of high school boys basketball is here.
Stars from Atlantis Charter, Case, Diman, Durfee, Somerset Berkley and Westport are ready to show what they're made of against some of the best teams in Massachusetts.
Get set for fast breaks, outside shooting and possible dunks.
Here's a look at the top 13 returning boys basketball players to watch this winter:
DJ Adediran, Atlantis Charter
Adediran, a co-captain, takes his athleticism to the court this winter for the Tritons. The freshman point guard can play multiple positions and brings leadership to the team. He has speed and height to give opponents fits on the offensive end.
Finnian Bjork, Somerset Berkley
Bjork was a valuable member of the Raiders last winter. The junior forward averaged nearly eight points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game and shot 51% from the field. Bjork, who was named a South Coast Conference honorable mention, helped lead SBR to a postseason berth in the Division II tournament.
Owen Boudria, Westport
Owen Boudria was sensational for the Wildcats last winter. The junior guard averaged a team-high 18.7 points per game. He also chipped in with 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals per game. Boudria, who is a three-year varsity player and two-year varsity starter, helped lead Westport to a Division V Sweet 16 appearance.
Landon Cayton, Case
Cayton, a two-time captain and three-year starter, leads the Cardinals offense this winter. The senior guard led Case in scoring at 17.2 points per game and finished with 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, Cayden, a South Coast Conference all-star, has a chance to break the 1,000-point mark.
Jeyden Espinal, Durfee
Espinal had a great season for the Hilltoppers last winter. The Durfee senior guard and three-year player averaged a team-high 18.6 points per game and 22.2 points in league games. Espinal, who was named a Southeast Conference all-star and team Most Valuable Player, is a 3-point specialist, can attack the paint, an underrated rebounder and solid defender.
Cayden Gonsalves, Case
Gonsalves is looking to go out strong in his final season for the Cardinals. The senior point guard averaged under seven points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Gonsalves, a two-time captain and three-year starter, is Case's leader on and off the court.
Eric Lucas, Durfee
Lucas was one of the catalysts on offense for the Hilltoppers last winter. The senior guard and two-year varsity player averaged 11.7 points per game for Durfee. Lucas is an effective shooter and played solid defense against opposing teams. He started 17 of 20 games for the Hilltoppers and was named a Southeast Conference all-star.
Brendan McDonald, Somerset Berkley
McDonald had a great season as a sophomore for the Raiders last winter. The SBR junior point guard averaged over 20 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He also finished with 54 steals and team-high 57 3-point shots made. McDonald, who was named a South Coast Conference all-star and Herald News Boys Basketball Player of the Year, helped lead the Raiders to a postseason berth in the Division II tournament.
Mason Mederios, Somerset Berkley
Medeiros was great on both sides of the ball for the Raiders last winter. The senior guard averaged 13.7 points per game. He also had 5.1 rebounds and two assists per game along with 37 steals, 37 deflections and 27 3-pointers. Best defender for SBR and helped lead the Raiders to a Division II postseason berth.
Sy'Air Neal, Diman
Neal is looking to be a difference maker for the Bengals on the court this winter. The Diman two-year starter averaged nine points per game last year. Neal was named a Herald News second team All-Scholastic.
Sam Perry, Diman
Perry had a productive season as a sophomore for the Bengals last winter. The junior forward averaged nearly 15 points per game and rebounded at a steady clip. Perry, who was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference Large all-star, created a matchup problem for many opponents and always brought energy and passion.
Miguel Pimental, Atlantis Charter
Martinez brings varsity experience and scoring punch on offense to the Tritons' offense this winter. The senior co-captain can play either the guard position or forward. Martinez is another Atlantis Charter player who brings leadership to the team.
Jah Stephenson, Durfee
Stephenson, a transfer student from Bishop Connolly, is ready to show his talents this winter for the Hilltoppers. The sophomore guard had a team-high 18 points per game for the Cougars. Stephenson, who is a two-year starter and a two-time Herald News All-Scholastic, had several 30 points per game last year.
Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Chezsports.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River area high school boys basketball players set for action
