QUINCY — The Boston Amateur Basketball Club has high hopes for the upcoming season, aiming to add to their collection of 26 national championships.
On Saturday night at Quincy High, the 17u and 16u 3Stripes Select Basketball teams made a strong start.
Against all-star rosters featuring top players from MIAA schools, each BABC team achieved decisive victories, demonstrating their strength.
Joson Sanon, a standout junior from Vermont Academy and an Arizona commit, scored 44 points against the MA Senior Select Team, leading the 17u team to a 113-60 victory alongside 24 points from Oswin Erhunmwunse of Putnam Academy, who has committed to Providence. The 16u team also performed well, with five players scoring in double figures to defeat the MA Underclassmen Select Team 117-65, as they prepare for a potential national title run.
Leo Papile, the longtime leader and founder, mentioned that while the birthplaces of BABC's rosters have changed, the program's approach remains consistent. He expressed satisfaction with the performance of all four teams, as the season approaches.
“We are very satisfied,” he said. “The games lasted 40 minutes and did not turn into a chaotic display, which was a genuine concern. … In terms of execution, I would give us an A. We always emphasize effort and execution, not just wins and losses.”
With a lineup of top talent that has been playing together within the program for some time, the 17u team could be one of Papile's best. Papile believes that Sanon, Erhunmwunse, and their teammate Ben Ahmed show promise as future NBA stars, while Ricardo Nieves is also outstanding in football.
“(Winning a national championship) is their goal,” Papile stated. “Clearly, there is a lot to work with, and the chemistry is excellent.”
Sanon stood out, particularly in Saturday’s games.
The MA Senior Select Team kept pace for much of the first half, using a flurry of 3-pointers to pull even at 33-33. However, Sanon's exceptional play, including 25 first-half points in the final five minutes before halftime, shifted the game's momentum, and he continued this dominance into the second half to secure the victory.
Ahmed (16 points) and Erhunmwunse’s size and athleticism were also overpowering.
“The aim is to remain unbeaten, and we have achieved that,” Sanon stated. “The 44 points were the result of good shooting, but it all starts with defense.”
Despite the loss, scoring 17 points against a strong team like BABC was gratifying for Adams.
“Competing at a high level is enjoyable for me, and representing the (Quincy) team for the last time has been a great experience,” Adams stated. “I know I can compete with these guys, and having the opportunity to demonstrate that means a lot to me.”
In the following game, Burke’s Jaeden Roberts put in an impressive performance with 30 points for the MA Underclassmen Select Team, although it wasn’t enough to help them overcome an early large deficit against a well-balanced 16u team from Boston.
The BABC team's size and athleticism were too much in this game, with Wilbraham & Monson Academy sophomore Sam Fleming scoring 22 points and Newman School sophomore Collins Chidera Onyejiaka getting 16 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks inside. Chase Geremia of Newman School scored 21 points, making five 3-pointers, and also played strong defense as BABC pressed for much of the game.
Amir Jenkins also played a significant role with 16 points and four steals.
