Matt Mayers entered his first varsity campaign
without the experience or expectations as most 6-foot-6 Centers.
Within a few promising performances—18 points, 15 boards, and four assists against Haldane and a titanic 19 point, 11-board performance against Westlake to name a couple—Mayers established himself as the centerpiece of a guard-laden Yellow Jackets squad.
Within a few promising performances—18 points, 15 boards, and four assists against Haldane and a titanic 19 point, 11-board performance against Westlake to name a couple—Mayers established himself as the centerpiece of a guard-laden Yellow Jackets squad.
Possessing a soft touch from 15-feet out, building a
still-growing post repertoire, and utilizing his 6-foot-10 wingspan to block,
manipulate, and alter the trajectory of shots down low, Mayers vaulted into Section
1’s top shelf of promising young post players.
Under a household
Section 1 name with a wealth of experience in Bob Delle Bovi, Mayers helped
restore credibility to a once prosperous program.
Make no mistake about it, the city programs are in trying
to woo him.
Such is the hothouse environment of today's here today gone tomorrow high school hoops scene, with the transfer rate at an alarming high.
Simultaneously, Hastings is angling to keep tradition intact.
They want to make the big forward/center in the tiny town an all-empowering reminder of the once prosperous program's long since graduated glory.
Because of the major decision cooking on Mayers’ front burner, the summer of 2017 could be the most considerable prove-it period of Mayers prep career.
Such is the hothouse environment of today's here today gone tomorrow high school hoops scene, with the transfer rate at an alarming high.
Simultaneously, Hastings is angling to keep tradition intact.
They want to make the big forward/center in the tiny town an all-empowering reminder of the once prosperous program's long since graduated glory.
Because of the major decision cooking on Mayers’ front burner, the summer of 2017 could be the most considerable prove-it period of Mayers prep career.
Will he flee for the more promising pastures or help
the Hastings loyalists party like its 1999?
The Class of
1999, solidified by a pair of athletic, two-way bigs in Farid Johnson and Kern
Mojica, represents the last year the program came out with the Gold Ball.
They are 0-4 at the County Center since, two of those four games being nail-biters and the other two being duds.
They are 0-4 at the County Center since, two of those four games being nail-biters and the other two being duds.
Sold on his upside, Monsignor Scanlan seems to be
vying for the still-growing, still-evolving Class of 2019 big man’s upside. They've been in heavy pursuit since Mayers began playing for the NY Gauchos.
Regardless of which stage is next for him, Mayers is certainly working with the mindset of a marked man.
The Monday through Sunday schedule involves a steady diet of weights, cardio, ball handling, agility, and of course piling up shots.
Regardless of which stage is next for him, Mayers is certainly working with the mindset of a marked man.
The Monday through Sunday schedule involves a steady diet of weights, cardio, ball handling, agility, and of course piling up shots.
Holding him to a high standard and staying on him is his brother, Justin Mayers. A known multi-sport athlete during his stay at Hastings, Mayers is currently playing college hoops at Utica in upstate New York.
Whether Mayers stays and helps expunge
the County Center ghost once and for all or darts off to a more prominent program,
there’s no question he has something to offer. The future is as promising
as the past has been eventful.
A two-way player who takes as much pride in sealing
the rim shut than any compartment of his game, Mayers has savored the workload
that comes with the territory of controlling the interior.
He’s been
sequestered in the Cochrane gym and nearby facilities this summer, adding
muscle and working on his back to the basket game. Anticipate a new pack of
one-on-one moves and methods of overpowering bigs next season.
Also expect an added improvement in the versatility department, where Mayers has developed a consistent enough shot to create matchup issues and take bigs outside of the key.
Also expect an added improvement in the versatility department, where Mayers has developed a consistent enough shot to create matchup issues and take bigs outside of the key.
He had several games of four or more blocks last
season and has an adeptness at sealing the driving lanes shut.