BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
STEVE HALADYNA
St. John's Prep Senior
Forward
Steve Haladyna recently wrapped up a high school basketball career that will, without a doubt, go down as one of the best in St. John's Prep history. Haladyna found his way into the Eagles' lineup during his freshman season, and once he did the wiry strong forward terrorized teams on the North Shore, in the Catholic Conference, and all around the state.
Haladyna's final season in a St. John's uniform resulted in 22.5 points per game and 9.5 rebounds a contest, all while being the focal point of the opposition's defense. He produced four 30-point games and five of the area's top 10 individual scoring games this winter. He opened the season with 38 points in a win over St. Mary's of Lynn.
Arguably the best part of Haladyna's play with the Eagles was his ability to attack the offensive glass. The slippery 6-foot-5 senior was capable of grabbing 7-10 offensive rebounds a night, and he produced a lot of points from his offensive rebounding. Another offensive strength of Haladyna was his constant movement in and around the paint. Similar to a strong perimeter shooter who is constantly moving to get free, Haladyna was always in motion to find space to score.
Haladyna, who will continue his basketball career at Tufts University next year, ends his high school career as the No. 2 all-time scorer with 1,392 points. Haladyna is second to former teammate and current University of Notre Dame standout Pat Connaughton. Haladyna and Connaughton helped St. John's record a Division 1 state championship last year.
JON AMICO
Danvers Senior
Guard
A defensive stopper for the Falcons on the perimeter, Amico always played with intensity and a competitive edge ... Regularly drew the assignment of guarding the opposition's best wing player ... Not typically known for his offense, but he did pour in 19 points in a win over Beverly ... Made a steal and layup in the TD Garden during a critical Danvers run in the team's victory over Wareham in the Division 3 state semifinal.
MARVIN BAEZ
Salem Junior
Guard
A high-energy player who can hit from long range or drive to the hoop ... Averaged 17.8 points per game and knocked down 54 three-pointers this season ... Scored a career-high 27 points against Revere in December and dropped 25 in Salem's Division 2 North tourney victory over Malden Catholic ... NEC All-Star ... Recorded a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) against Peabody.
ADAM BRAMANTI
Masconomet Senior
Guard
Reached the record books by scoring his 1,000th career point this season, the first boy in Masconomet history to do so ... Averaged just under 20 points per game ... Had two 30-point games this season — scored 32 points against Reading and 30 against Manchester Essex ... Added a 22-point, 18-rebound effort against Chelsea ... Three-time Cape Ann All-League selection ... Received a scholarship to play basketball at Stonehill College.
ALEX BROWN
Masconomet Senior
Guard
Bramanti's backcourt running mate, Brown proved to be a dangerous compliment to his high-scoring sidekick ... Scored around 14 points per game for the Chieftains ... CAL all-star selection as a junior and an All-League pick this year ... Quick and elusive ball handler ... Scored 19 points in multiple games this season ... Carries a 3.9 GPA and will attend Union College next year with the possibility of playing soccer or basketball.
MIKE CARBONE
St. John's Prep Senior
Guard
A two-time Catholic Conference all-star, Carbone is back as a Salem News selection this winter ... Scored season-high 24 points against Bishop Guertin in the Chelsea Christmas Tournament ... A tenacious defender with a smoot shooting stroke ... Holds a 3.7 GPA ... Will attend Emerson College and play basketball.
ISAAC CARP
Pingree Senior
Guard
Made a seamless transition to shooting guard this season after playing years at the point ... Ended up scoring 17 points per game to go along with six rebounds and six assists ... Named Eastern Independent League First Team all-star ... Hit nine threes and scored 31 points in a game this season ... Will play college basketball at Skidmore, Johns Hopkins, Trinity or Grinnell next year.
CHRISTIAN DUNSTON
Salem Junior
Guard
The Witches' point guard is a dangerous scorer and creator ... Named co-MVP of the NEC North Division with Lynn English's Keandre Stanton ... Pumped in 16.9 points per game while also piling up assists, rebounds and steals for Salem ... Scored career-high 27 points against Revere in February ... Had 25 points against Marblehead and scored 22 in tournament win over Malden Catholic ... Hopes to play college basketball.
MIKE GOULD
Peabody Senior
Forward
Tanners' most well-rounded, consistent player ... Collected the team MVP Award and was named NEC all-star ... Averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game ... On Senior Night, scored 25 points and added four rebounds, four assists, four steals and four blocks against Revere ... Has a 3.3 GPA and will attend UMass Lowell in the fall.
CHRIS KEATON
Beverly Senior
Forward
Slick-shooting senior emerged as Beverly's go-to player ... Led the Panthers in scoring (13.0 ppg) and steals (38), while third in rebounds (4.5) and assists (41) ... NEC all-star ... Dropped 22 points in games against Lynn Classical and Peabody ... Knocked down 50 three-pointers this winter ... Undecided on college plans, but hopes to continue playing basketball.
ERIC MARTIN
Danvers Junior
Guard
Quarterbacked Danvers to the Division 3 state championship at point guard ... Strong defensive player, tough competitor, and intelligent with the ball ... Scored game-high 23 points in Danvers first round tournament win over Pentucket ... NEC all-star ... Credits Danvers coach John "The General" Walsh for making him the player he is.
GEORGE MERRY
Danvers Senior
Center
No player on the North Shore had a bigger impact on offense and defense than Merry ... Falcons' 6-foot-8, 200-pound center averaged nearly 18 points per game, 10 rebounds and seven blocks ... Two-time NEC and Salem News all-star ... Had a season-high 29 points against Salem in January ... Averaged 18.2 points and more than 10 boards in five postseason games ... Scored 23 points in come-from-behind win over Wayland in Div. 3 North semis, including all nine of Falcons' overtime points ... Undecided on college but will play hoop.
STEPHEN TAM
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Guard
Intelligent point guard with a quick first step ... Solid defensive player who quarterbacked a young Generals team to the program's third straight CAL Div. 2 title ... Averaged 14 points per game this winter ... Named CAL All-League and Salem News all-star for the second straight year ... Had arguably his best game at the best time when he dropped a season-high 27 points in a Div. 3 North tournament win over Shawsheen.
ZACH ZIGELBAUM
Beverly Senior
Center
Missed seven games late in the regular season after having surgery to remove his appendix, but still managed to earn NEC and Salem News all-star selections ... Turned in 11.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 2.4 assists per game for the Panthers ... Scored season-high 23 points against Chelsea and contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds against Peabody.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Beverly — Cam Rogers, Jr. G; Tyler Suggs, Sr. F; Dom Abate, Jr. G; Aven Jones, Sr. G.
Bishop Fenwick — Dom Luoni, So. G; Matt Costello, So. G; Ben Maxner, Jr. F.
Danvers — Nick McKenna, Jr. G; Nick Bates, Jr. G; Danny Connors, Jr. F.
Hamilton-Wenham — Shane Jenkins, Sr. F; Jake Lindland, Sr. G.
Ipswich — Erik Fyrer, So. F; Dan O'Flynn, Sr. G.
Marblehead — Phil Coughlin, Sr. F.; Jeff Peras, Sr. F; Brian Gellert, Sr. F.
Masconomet — Ben Panunzio, Sr. F.
North Shore Tech — Jordan Mendez, Jr. G.
Peabody — Steve Girolamo, Sr. G; Jason Hiou, Sr. G.
Pingree — Johnny Spears, So. G; Kyle Lentini, So. F; Connor Reardon, So. F.
Salem — Billy Muse, Jr. G; Taylor Norris, Jr. F; Emilio Beato, Jr. F.
St. John's Prep — Owen Marchetti, Sr. G; Freddy Shove, Sr. F.
Swampscott — Mike Walsh, Sr. G; A.J. Baker, Sr. G.
