You know what they say about opinions, comparing their prevalence to a certain abundant body part. Well that sentiment goes double on the internet where you’re inevitably barraged with more opinions than a weeks worth of op-ed pages.
So when Joe fan gets involved on blogs and chatboard such as these, banding about his opinion behind the comfort of typographic anonymity, you always have to consider the source and calculate the bias.
Some kooks are dismissed easier than others. Others not so much.
After a while if it seems like some of the louder voices behind the letters knows what they’re talking about, people start listening and the online experience turns from a virtual soapbox to balcony overlooking a square.
Hence the case of a Mr. Thomas Razor, a.k.a. TommyRazor (you can just call him Tommy) a longtime poster and basketball nut on BirdseyeSports.com. Yes, fan board posters are a dime a dozen. But over the last year or so Tommy’s proven that his thoughts are worth more than two cents.
I got to meet him last year during my one and only state championship appearance (Class M, Weston vs. Waterford, so yeah I had plenty of time to chit chat) and just by the way he answered questions (with the right answers, btw), you knew he knew what was what.
Anyway, LONG story short, knowing he knows far more than most sportswriters in the state (especially since most of us were preoccupied with football) I solicited Tommy’s opinion on who was what in the state so I could vote semi-intelligently in “Hoops” Morelli’s Top 10 poll without feeling like I sold somebody short.
With much fanfare for the Bird’s Nest community, Tommy released his TommyRazor’s Top 20 today. He shares it with me and Connecticut Post readers as well:
TOMMYRAZOR’S PRESEASON TOP 20
1. Weaver-Hartford: 2006-07 record (22-3, TRranking #2) CCC West Champion. Lost in first round of CCC playoffs to New Britain. Defending Class “L” Champion {Defeated Maloney-Meriden}.
Outlook: Return three big time players in 6’4″ Sr. Nick Talbert, 6’0″ Jr. Charles Moreland, along with the arguably state’s best player in 6’0″ Jr. Ty Gardner…The Beavers will have a huge target on their backs this year, especially since they are among those favored in the CCC, which is stacked in every division with quality teams…Coach Lapenna might take a few losses along the way but his squad has all the makings of a team looking to repeat.
Early Season Game To Watch: 12/13 vs. Hillhouse-New Haven @ The Hartford Civic Center
2. Hillhouse- New Haven:
2006-07 record (27-1, TRranking #1) SCC Hammonassett Champion. Two time reigning SCC Post Season Champion {Defeated Wilbur Cross-New Haven}. Two time defending Class “LL” Champion {Defeated East Catholic-Manchester}.
Outlook: Every year is seems the Academics seem to reload, they have infinite talent. Look no further than 6’4″ Sr. Ty Samuels, 6’6″ Jr. Hassan Toler, 6’5″ Jr. TJ McKiver, 5’10″ Jr. Jeremy Moore-the list could go on. The ‘House will turn up the defensive pressure and look to outwork other teams every night. Coach Carolina’s team is the favorite to repeat in the state’s largest division, as well as the SCC, and a nice out of conference schedule should prepare his team accordingly .
Early Season Game To Watch: 12/29 vs. Springfield Cathedral (MA) @ The New Haven Athletic Center
3. Crosby-Waterbury: 2006-07 record (23-3, TRranking #8) Tri-Regular Season NVL Champion {4th in a row}. Four time reigning NVL Post Season Champion {Defeated Holy Cross-Waterbury}. Lost in Class LL quarterfinals to Hillhouse-New Haven.
Outlook: The Bulldogs once again are one of the favorites to win the NVL…The return of All-State 6’5″ Sr. BJ Montiero coupled with 5’9″ Jr. Anthony Ireland make an excellent backcourt…Though a tad undersized, they look to turn up the defensive pressure and push the ball…The NVL is loaded with talent this year which is going be key come CIAC playoff time..Coach Augelli is not looking past any opponent this year but the ‘Dogs are poised to make a big time postseason run.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/21 vs. Sacred Heart-Waterbury @ The Palace-Crosby)
4. Windsor: 2006-07 (13-9) No CCC postseason. Lost in second round of Class LL playoffs to Harding-Bridgeport.
Outlook: After a down year by Windsor standards, the Warriors are once again back into the CCC and state elite…Young but very well coached and defensive minded, pressure defense is the name of the game…Coach Smith will not be looking past anyone as the CCC is so talented this year almost every game will be a dog fight…Among the favorites in the CCC and Class LL…Return 6’1″ Sr. Justin Wilson, 6’3″ Jr. Steve Samuels, and 6’5″ Jr. Adrian Satchell
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/13 vs. E.O. Smith-Storrs @ Windsor )
5. Trinity Catholic-Stamford: 2006-2007 record (25-2, TRranking #7) FCIAC Regular Season Champion. Lost in FCIAC Post Season final to Bassick-Bridgeport. Lost in Class LL semi finals to East Catholic-Manchester.
Outlook: Among the favorites in the FCIAC, these Crusaders are very talented but not very deep…5’10″ Jr. Eric Jean-Guillame provides the outside shooting and floor running abilities while shot blocking sensation 6’6″ Jr. Tevin Baskin provides the muscle down low, add in swingman 6’4″ John O’Leary and TC has enough firepower to hang with anyone.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/27 vs. Catholic Memorial (MA) @ St. Jospesh’s-Trumbull)
6. St. Joseph’s-Trumbull: 2006-07 record (11-10) No FCIAC postseason. Lost in first round to East Catholic-Manchester.
Outlook: This could be the year Coach Montelli and St. Joe’s return to greatness as they return a lot of talent with a lot of experience…Guards are big and aggressive and look to cause turnovers by trapping, and with their depth they could wear teams down…Among the favorites in the FCIAC…Solid nucleus returns in 6’4″ Sr. Nick Gerrity, 6’4″ Sr. Rob Harrigan, 6’2″ So. Greg Langston, and 5’10″ Jr. Kyle Walker.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/29 vs. Holy Trinity (NY) @ St. Joseph ‘s)
7. Hartford Public-Hartford: 2006-07 record (13-10) Lost in first round of CCC playoffs. Lost in second round of Class M playoffs to Kolbe Cathedral-Bridgeport. Outlook: Young though seasoned, The ‘Pub works its way into the top 10 on the backs of one of the biggest frontlines you will see in high school in 6’9″ Jr. Daryl McCoy, 6’7″ Sr. Brendan Mann, 6’4″ Jr. Lamarr Burgess…Add in the explosive 5’10″ So. Danny Lawhorn and you got a team looking to bang its way into the postseason…Among the favorites in the CCC as well as in Class M they are legit.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/15 @ Weaver-Hartford)
8. New London: 2006-07 record (17-8) Lost in ECC Post Season final to Norwich Free Academy. Lost in second round of Class L playoffs to Windham. Outlook: The Whalers are back among the state’s elite with Florida University bound 6’8″ Sr. Allan Chaney, a pressing defense and a killer non-conference schedule that includes CT, NY and MA state elite programs…Favorite to win the ECC.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/13 vs. East Catholic-Manchester @ The Hartford Civic Center)
9. Wilbur Cross-New Haven: 2006-2007 record (20-5) SCC Oronoque Champion. Lost in SCC final to Hillhouse-New Haven. Lost in second round of Class LL playoffs to Torrington.
Outlook: Among the contenders for the SCC crown…Very quick and aggressive the Governors are looking to build on the fact they gave Hillhouse its only loss last year and translate that into an extended postseason ride…Return All State, high flying 6’3″ Sr. Markus Wright.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/14 vs. West Haven @ Wilbur Cross)
10. Holy Cross-Waterbury: 2006-07 record (21-4) Tri-Regular Season NVL Champion. Lost in NVL final to Crosby-Waterbury. Lost in second round of Class LL playoffs to East Hartford.
Outlook: Among the favorites to win the NVL, the Crusaders are looking to also extend their postseason run…Defense and timely shooting make Holy Cross a dangerous team, especially at home…Return 6’0″ Sr. Jerome Mitchell, 6’5″ So. Ryan Kolb and 6’4″ Sr. Derek Ward.
(Early Season Game To Watch: 12/29 vs. Crosby-Waterbury @ Holy Cross)
11. Maloney-Meriden: 2006-07 record (26-1, TRranking #3) CCC South Champion. CCC Post Season Champion {Defeated Hall-West Hartford}. Lost in Class L final to Weaver-Hartford.
Outlook: A TommyRazor favorite…Decimated by injuries from football season the Spartans are still among the favorites to win the CCC…Return 6’3″ Sr. Johrone Bunch, 5’10″ Sr. Rashmel Vereen, and 6’5″ Sr. Shaoquan Stevens.
12. Torrington: 2006-2007 record (21-4, TRranking #5) Tri-Regular Season NVL Champion. Lost in NVL Post Season semi finals to Crosby-Waterbury. Lost in Class LL semi finals to Hillhouse-New Haven.
Outlook: One of the favorites to win the NVL…Return 5’9″ Sr. Andre French and 6’9″ Jr. Jordan Williams.
13. East Catholic-Manchester: 2006-2007 record (24-3, TRranking #4) NWC Regular Season Champion. NWC Post Season Champion. Lost in Class LL final to Hillhouse-New Haven.
Outlook: Infuse some young talent but are still among the favorites to win the NWC…Return Sacred Heart University bound 6’9″ Sr. Nick Greenbacker and add 5’10″ Fr. Jerome Harris.
14. Northwest Catholic-West Hartford: 2006-2007 (17-7) Lost in NWC semi finals to Farmington. Lost in second round of Class LL playoffs to Hillhouse-New Haven.
Outlook: One of the favorites to win the NWC…Return St. Joseph’s University bound 6’2″ Sr. Chris Prescott.
15. E.O. Smith-Storrs: 2006-07 record (17-8) CCC East Champion. Lost in CCC Post Season semi finals to Maloney-Meriden.
Outlook: Huge frontline is going to make a significant impact in the CCC…Return Fairfield University bound 6’10″ Sr. Ryan Olander and 6’6″ So. Tyler Olander.
16. Sacred Heart-Waterbury: 2006-07 record (18-8) Lost in NVL Post Season semi finals to Holy Cross-Waterbury. Lost in Class M semi finals to Weston.
Outlook: Playoff tested squad looking to move into the NVL hierarchy, one of the favorites to win Class M…Return 6’3″ Sr. Brian Corcoran, 6’5″ So. Josh Turner, and 6’5″ So. Cory Andrews.
17. Glastonbury: 2006-07 record (5-15) No CCC or CIAC postseason.
Outlook: Young, tough and physical, this team is looking to be a major player in the talented CCC…Return 6’5″ Jr. John Pinone, 6’2″ Jr. Pitkin, and 5’10″ Jr. Karas.
18. Norwich Free Academy-Norwich: 2006-07 record (24-1) ECC-Large Regular Season Champion. ECC Post Season Champion {Defeated New London}. Lost in second round of Class LL playoffs to Danbury.
Outlook: One of the favorites to win the ECC…Return Holy Cross College bound 6’4″ Sr. RJ Evans.
19. East Hartford: 2006-2007 record (17-7) CCC North Champion. Lost in first round of CCC playoffs. Lost in Class LL quarterfinals to East Catholic-Manchester.
Outlook: Very young and very talented the Hornets are looking to sting a few opponents in the bee hive which is the CCC…Return 6’3″ So. Jevon Williams, 6’8″ So. Jakri McCallop, and add 5’9″ Fr. Anthony Jernigan.
20. Kolbe Cathedral-Bridgeport: (2006-07 record (22-2) SWC Regular Season Champion. Lost in SWC final to Weston. Lost in Class M quarterfinals to Sacred Heart-Waterbury).
Outlook: One of the favorites to win the SWC and an overwhelming favorite to win Class S…Return 6’6″ Sr. Andre Beckford and 6’3″ Jr. Dominque Langston.
Email Tommy here: razor@birdseyesports.com
Good analysis.
One correction though. NFA’s RJ Evans is only 6’2″, not 6’4″, according to people at NFA. He was sometimes listed at 6’3″, which is his height with sneakers on.
SPB, I only follow the Fairfield County schools (mostly Bridgeport) closely so I’m a bit biased, but any poll that doesn’t include Harding seems off. Are they expected to be down this year overall or will the loss of Charoy really hurt. They always seem to overcome adversity.
good analysis, little suprised at torrington’s position, i think they’re top 10 but outside of that it looks dead on.
I’d have to agree that Harding is being overlooked a bit.
I believe Harding will be a top 3 of the FCIAC along with Trinity and St. Joseph.
While I think young Tommy did sell Fairfield County a tad short, I don’t think he was off by much. Southwestern Connecticut has been kind of down recently. (No, Weston’s Class M title doesn’t count).
SP
No Harding in the top 20? Unless Tom has some inside info. about the Presidents, I have to question his list. Kolbe ranked 20th seems a bit high also, should be in the top 10 all season
Does the Post have it in for Fairfield Warde? There was no Good News, Bad News, or Outlook. Warde has had some great basketball teams in the past and to ignore them is not good Sports reporting.Get your act together!
Stan,
We did do a capsule on Fairfield Warde. Both online and in the paper. Look carefully. It’s there with everything you’re looking for.
sean
Watch New London, not only Fla. bound 6’8″ Chaney, but has one of the best coaches in Ct. Consistently wins not just because of talent but by coaching. Tough disciplinarian. They play up 2 classes in “L”. Too bad ECC doesn’t have much talent other then NFA. Will hurt NL them like it hurt NL football. At least basketball team will be able to play whole game not just half like NL football. Out of conference games tough.
Best team east of Ct. River.You’ll see them in “L” final
in terms of Harding not being top 20, i give you this…with the past talent level of the teams the last 2 years they only got an FCIAC title…gotta prove to me they can do more this year with less…in terms of Koble-top 10???…HAHAHA-NFA, which loss alot from last year, took it to them @ their house…KC is lucky they are class S-they would not be having a big postseason otherwise, but that is why we play the games…NL is legit but not deep, and i disagree with them having one of the best coaches in the state…i.e.-early CIAC tourney exits in 2006 & 2007, maybe a big run might get them to to the finals…FFLD county is a tad down for hoops, and i didnt over look that, i went to all the fall league games in the Shenan center, JCC etc…i made my rounds-i do alot of homework…oh yeah by the way not only did i help shape the minds of some “semi-intelligent” sports writers (SPB) i changed Hoops Morrelli’s voting system (BirdsEyeSports now has a vote in the NHR media poll)the courant pretty much takes my poll, which i post on early monday mornings…my obessession and passion for the game has now made me an employee of BirdsEyeSports, Ben Talbott got on the bandwagon early
tommy