Jaylen Harrell of CATS Academy was named the 2024-25 Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound senior wing led the Griffins to a 28-7 record and a runner-up finish in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class AA tournament this past season. Harrell averaged 22.1 points. 8.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. Harrell was a two-time First Team Class AA selection and a First Team All-New England Basketball League selection this winter. He is ranked as the No. 85 prospect in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports and New England’s No. 4 prospect in the Class of 2025 by the New England Recruiting Report.

Harrell has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Providence College this fall.

Two-time winner Harrell joins recent Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Players of the Year AJ Dybantsa (2022-23, St. Sebastian’s School), TJ Power (2021-22, Worcester Academy) and Kyle Filipowski (2020-21, Wilbraham & Monson Academy), among the state’s list of former award winners.

In other basketball news, as first reported by the Boston Herald on its twitter feed, David Clay stepped down as head boys basketball coach at St. John’s Prep after three seasons. According to a statement from the school, Clay cited personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with his family.

“Coach Clay was a great representation of St. John’s Prep, leading our basketball program with the utmost respect and humility. His impact was felt beyond the court, as game officials, opposing coaches, and players alike consistently praised his professionalism and character,” said athletic director Jameson Pelkey, who said the school would immediately begin the search for his successor. “We are grateful for Coach Clay’s dedication to our student-athletes and his commitment to their development both on and off the court. He has been a respected leader, and we thank him for his contributions to the program and for embodying the values of our school.”