Prep Profile: New Hampton

New Hampton coach Jamie Arsenault isn't all that concerned that he doesn't have the recognizable names on this year's roster. He's got a couple of Cameroon natives, a big man headed to the Pac-10 - and a bunch of role guys.

There is no Rashad McCants on this year’s team. No Tom Coverdale, either. But New Hampton (N.H.) coach Jamie Arsenault is just fine with that.

After a difficult year last season in which his team struggled without a go-to guy, Arsenault feels he has enough on this season’s squad to be competitive in the brutal New England Class A league.

``I love their attitude,” Arsenault said. “They are really focused on being a team, playing hard and winning. They’re excited about working together and trying to improve.”

One of the reasons why this team should have good chemistry is because two of Arsenault’s top players are juniors – 6-5 Radar Jones Onguetou and 6-6 Menghe Nyam. Both hail from Cameroon.

``Radar is the core of our team,” Arsenault added. “He’s rock-solid, plays hard and has a great attitude. He’s not afraid to tell people if they aren’t doing something. He’s vocal and is the biggest surprise so far. In another year, he’ll be able to play at whatever level he wants. He’s shooting threes now and just plays so darn hard.”

Onguetou will likely share the leadership role with 6-foot, 175-pound senior point guard Jack Barrett, a native of Wilmington, Mass.

The key in the paint will be how Oregon State-bound big man Calvin Hampton, a 6-9, 230-pound Baltimore native, develops.

``Calvin has great touch and is able to score around the basket,” Arsenault said. “When his intensity level’s up, he can be really good. He needs to maintain that intensity.”

Two other players who should have a chance to start for Arseanult are Craig Shepherd, a 6-4, 185-pound senior wing from New Hampshire and Curt Scully, a 6-2, 190-pound guard who also hails from the Granite State.

There are only a handful of D-1 caliber kids on the team, but Arsenault likes some of the role guys – forwards Peter Normandin and Joseph Bill as well as guards Jan Cocozziello, Thomas Pavesi, Ryan Sweezey, Emannuel Venuti and Warren Wilson.

``Depth worries me a little bit,” Arsenault said. “If one guy gets hurt, we might be in trouble. But I feel good about this team from one to 12. We’re going to compete, and in this league if you compete, you’re in good shape.”