The Kingswood-Oxford Invitational Tournament is the longest running prep prep basketball tournament in New England.
A Kingswood-Oxford legend, "Frosty" Francis spent 25 years at KO and served as a teacher, coach, Director of Athletics and Director of Finance and Development. His basketball teams won two New England Class B championships, in 1956 and 1957. He also established this tournament that now bears his name.
As is typical, this year's tournament is a full mix of NEPSAC AA, A , B and C teams, plus one nonNEPSAC team from Lawrenceville NJ.
Also as is typical, there is a full crew of high talent players on the court, here are some of those.
Chris Robinson (2020) 6'1 guard, Westminister School (CT) (D1 offeree) Robinson led Class B in scoring last year. He's extremely explosive, fast, and athletic. Hailing from NYC, he is easily one of the most talented guards in prep school. He's scored over 1000 points in roughly 2 years. He is a nightmare for anyone who guards him one on one.
Joel Pullen (2020) 5'11 guard, Westminister School (CT) - Pullen is a repeat junior from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven. He's a very crafty guard who has unlimited range. He's also an excellent passer and ball handler. Per his coach, Pullen loves the big moments late in games. In the process of being recognized as one of the top guards in CT, he is building interest from the NCAA schools.
Kyle Hoffman (2019) 6'11 center, Westminister School (CT) (D1 offeree, with heavy interest from high academic D3s) - The 6'11" Center from Staten Island is the anchor of the Westminster team. He's long, lean, and athletic. Kyle is looking to have a breakout season on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Last year, Kyle averaged 4 blocks a game along with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Tavian Montanez (2021) 6'0 guard, Westminister School (CT) - Montanez is a smart guard who shoots well from the outside. Although Montanez is younger, than most of his NEPSAC match-ups, he has a ton of potential. Westminster is looking forward to seeing him have a breakout season in this sophomore campaign.
C.J. Brito-Trinidad (2019) 5’8 guard, Kent School (CT) - Lightning quick guard always in attack mode. Team leader. Has been more of a pass-first guard in the past, but will take on more of scoring role this year. Can score at all three levels. Absolute ball hawk on defense.
Hayden Smith (2020) 6’3 wing, Kent School (CT) - Long and thin. The best shooter on the Kent team. Has very good range. Starting to develop the other parts of his game as well. Showing more mid-range ability, and will use effective shot fake to open up drives to the hoop.
Connor Lee (2020) 6’5 forward, Kent School (CT) - Strong, wide shouldered forward is more than meets the eye. Very high basketball IQ overcomes lack of athleticism. Really sees the floor and surprisingly good ball handler. Will hit an open three and also use wide frame to score in the post. Very good rebounder.
Phil Dawson (2020) 6’6 forward, Kent School (CT) - This Kent Schoolfootball quarterback will make a strong contribution on the hardwood as well. Long and athletic. Really runs the floor well and a great finisher. Will even hit the occasional three. Effective shot-blocker and rebounder.
Nick Bray (2019) 6'0 guard, Kingswood Oxford (CT) - A five year starter (since 8th grade). He has NBA ready range, elevates at the rim and is an exceptional on-ball defender. His ability to explode into instant-offense should have any Post-Grad available schools who are looking for a combo-guard reaching out to him soon.
Jackson Wolff (2020) 6'4 forward, Kingswood Oxford (CT ) - An athletic wing who is also a knock-down shooter. Wolff uses his growing frame to defend the wing at a high level and rebound amongst the giants in the Founders' League. One of three returning starters for K-O, his experience and skill set make him a huge asset for the Wyverns this season.
Hunter Meshanic (2021) 6'4 forward, Kingswood Oxford (CT). Meshanic's ability to defend and play around rhe rim make him instantly valuable to any team. He can also put it on the floor and is a proven stretch-foward shooter. All NCAA divisions should have an eye on his development.
Carter Meshanic (2021) 6'4 swing, Kingswood Oxford (CT) - A versatile player who can guard at every position. He is deceptive and has the ability to do anything that is asked of him as a complete basketball player. Like his twin brother, caoches at all collegiate levels should be keeping their eye on his physical and skill development over the next three years.
Sean James (2019) 6'1 point guard, Kingswood Oxford (CT) - Co-Captain, Four year starter. A floor general by nature, that has worked hard in the off season to increase his already established shooting range. Averaging 22 pts and 5 asst through the first few games this season. A coach on the floor, he makes everyone around him better. High level post-grad schools should reach out immediately.
Kolby Braxton (2019) 5'9 guard, Storm King School (NY) - A post-grad from Delsea High (NJ), Braxton is a cerebral floor general and a defensive pest who stuffs the stat sheet with his indefatigable spirit. When given the time, he has excellent shooting range. Oustanding academics in a 4.0 gpa and 1400 SAT score, which will draw the attention of the NESCAC and other academic D2 and D3s. Has a D1 walk-on offer at St Francis (PA).
Jayden Figueroa (2019) 6’6 wing, Storm King School (NY) - A fluid wing who has great length and a knack for the ball, racking up rebounds and deflections. Figuerosa is a streaky deep shooter with a soft touch around the rim; he has acceptances from Hartwick and St. Lawrence.
Samuel DeSouza (2019) 6’7 forward, Storm King School (NY) - A post-grad from Benjamin Banneker H.S., Brooklyn, Sam is an angular forward with a great ceiling. His skills include range to the 3-point line, good handles, and elevation to spare. With his very coachable attitude, his knowledge of the game and court sense are improving daily.
Denys Bobchuk (2019), 6’8 forward Storm King School (NY) This under-recruited Ukrainian junior product spent the last two years at Holy Spirit Prep in Atlanta playing behind D1 players. Bobchuk has a great fundamental background with textbook stroke and can use either hand around the basket. He is the prototypical stretch-4 modern player who should be welcome at lower D1 or D2.
Andrew Lufkin (2020) 6’2 guard, Pomfret School (CT) - An injury to the Pomfret starting point guard, has allowed Lufkin to showcase some quaretrbacking skills. However, as he showed on the AAU circuit playing for the DC Blue Devils- New Hampshire, Lufkin is lethal from off of the ball. He has a solid stroke from three and attacks the gaps off the dribble. Defends with attitude.
Nate Karren (2019) 6’8 forward, Pomfret School (CT) - Karren is post-grad who transferred in from California. Skilled with an excellent stroke from three and a multitude of moves in the post. He not onlyh scores, but finds the open man in the defensive rotations. He is vocal and leads on both ends of the floor. He is being recruited by the Ivy League, NESCAC and other top academic schools who have been drawn to his game and his also impressive gpa and SAT score.
Jack Srinivasan (2019) 6'2 guard, Pomfret School (CT) - "Find the Shooter!" This New Jersey native is a skilled and savvy player, who will light it up in any "Hand down, Man Down" situation. He rebounds well for a guard and defensively, he is strong and vocal.
Ryan Michaels (2020) 6'6 forward, Berkshire School (MA) - Michaels is a knock down shooter. He can do a variety of things on the floor that makes him really hard to guard. He can stretch the floor, and cause trouble getting inside the paint. An excellent passer, and all around player with a high ceiling.
Rayshawn Boswell.(2019) 5'10 guard, Berkshire School(MA) - A strong lead guard that can break guys down off the bounce, and stretch the floor from distance. He is a tenacious defender, and creates discomfort with his athleticism and mobility on the floor. Ray is as gritty and tough as any guard in New England, embraces challenges, and represents his hometown Rochester, NY proudly.
Jacob Iwowo (2019) 6'7 forward, Berkshire School (MA) - A PG from Brooks School (NH) understands winning culture, and can do a variety of things on the floor. He is an exceptional passer and transition, and a valuable defender that can guard a variety of positions. Jacob can get by defenders with the bounce, as well as keep them honest with the three. He is a tough cover.
Austin Thompson (2019) 6'2 guard, Berkshire School (MA) - Thompson is as athletic as any guard in New England. He is explosive as all get up, and can change the tempo of the game with his athleticism defensively. Austin loves competition, and can do a variety of things as a combo guard. He can shoot the three with consistency, and also break defenders down with the dribble. Austin also loves to play above the rim, and looks for any opportunity he can to flush it home.
