Brewster graduates playing well for PC, URI
Rams’ Terrell, Friars’ Diallo, Ashton-Langford in good hands in Rhody
A gentleman who works on the maintenance staff at New Hampshire’s Brewster Academy made the trek to the Ryan Center last Saturday night. This same individual also drives the bus that transports the Brewster boys’ basketball team to and from games.
Brewster alums Jared Terrell, Alpha Diallo, and Makai Ashton-Langford got together to leave this person a ticket for an in-demand contest. It was a kind-hearted gesture that speaks volumes to the belief that you truly never forget where you came from, or the people that helped you along the way.
“He spoke to all three kids before the game so that was good,” said Brewster head coach Jason Smith, who would like to catch his former pupils in person once his current squad breaks for Christmas. “I’m happy that they’re doing well. They’re in great hands and (URI’s Dan Hurley and PC’s Ed Cooley) are two of the best when it comes to coaches.”
A busy schedule to date has prevented Smith from carving out time to watch Terrell, Diallo, and Ashton-Langford on television. Reached on Friday, the coach says he will receive alerts on his phone and if the player whose name pops up on the screen happens to enjoy a good game, Smith with share it with his Twitter followers (@BrewsterHoops).
“The one constant with all three of those guys is that they’re all willing defenders,” said Smith. “Sometimes the kids who are the more talented prospects, they necessarily don’t want to play on the defensive end in high school. Each of them wanted to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. They’re all ultracompetitive.”
After talking about Brewster’s gifts to the Ocean State college hoops scene in a collective sense, Smith was then asked to provide his impressions of each player’s season to date. In the spirit of nonpartisanship, we’re starting with the elder statesman of the group who calls Kingston his home before shifting north in the direction of the Capital City.
Jared Terrell, senior guard, Rhode Island (2014 Brewster graduate)
Terrell cooled off a little bit in the Rams’ two games leading into exam break, shooting a combined 6-for-24 against Providence and Alabama. For the most part, he’s filled in admirably as the primary alpha dog in the wake of losing E.C. Matthews to a wrist injury, most notably when he netted a career-best 32 points and hit the game-winning shot against Seton Hall on Thanksgiving night. He’s averaging four more points than last season and has already turned in three games where he’s picked up three or more steals.
“Jared has always been a monster. He’s tough and a better defensive player than people give him credit for. He’s defense-first and that’s why he fits in so well with coach Hurley. When he was with us, he was someone who was always in the passing lane,” said Smith.
Alpha Diallo, sophomore guard, Providence (2016 Brewster graduate)
Diallo owns the type of versatility that coaches crave. Plug him into any situation and chances are he’ll make it work. Against Rhode Island, Diallo flashed his low-post game en route to a season-best 17 points.
“I think that’s something he had even before he came to Brewster. He was a three/four on his high school team but was predominantly more of a perimeter guy for us,” said Smith. “He’s always been a gifted scorer who probably needs to shoot the ball better from three.”
Diallo, who rolled his left ankle late in PC’s overtime win against Brown and did not practice Thursday, is questionable as the Friars close out their pre-semester exam schedule at UMass on Saturday. If he’s unable to go, it would snap his 25-game starting streak that dates back to midway through his freshman season.
“He has the potential to become an All-Big East type-of-player as his career progresses, but I also think he can be a special player on the defensive end,” said Smith. “I know that’s what coach Cooley really likes about Alpha … his versatility and ability to play both ends of the floor.”
Makai Ashton-Langford, freshman guard, Providence (2017 Brewster graduate)
The youngster from Worcester has distinguished himself in a major way lately and seems poised to step into the breach and fill the void in the event Diallo or Maliek White (knee) are sidelined indefinitely. AshtonLangford is averaging 11 points over the past three games and is coming off a performance against Brown where he drew his first-ever starting nod and registered seven assists and five rebounds.
His biggest contribution against the Bears may have been the charge he drew in the extra session against Brandon Anderson. In the eyes of Smith, that sequence speaks to a winning mentality that makes Ashton-Langford appear to be older than his listed age (19).
“He’s a stud and winning is the most important thing to him,” said Smith. “He’s always had his critics who would say he doesn’t shoot the ball well, but he’s a better shooter than people realize. His body control and ability to finish at the rim is tremendous.
“His parents (DeMarr and Sacha) did a tremendous job raising him. He’s had great coaches from Vin Pastore with Mass Rivals to the people at Cushing (Mass.) Academy. He’s very mature and the one word to describe Makai is that he’s a winner,” Smith added. “He’s only going to continue to get better as he progresses in his career.”