10 Best Suburban All Stars, Capital Classic
MVP
Jason Ainger (pictured above in header) scored a game high 16 points hitting 4 of 8 three pointers and grabbed 3 rebounds. Jason moved very well without the ball and scored from all areas of the court possessing excellent shot mechanics. We were very impressed with Jason’s poise, hustle, passing skills and overall game. Jason played this year for WT Woodson HS in Fairfax, VA and helped lead the Cavaliers to a Virginia 6A State Title. The 6’2″ heady WG will play at Christopher Newport College next year.
Best Rebounder
Nanu Opuku grabbed 7 rebounds, 6 from the offensive glass and was very active in the paint today. Additionally, Nanu scored 8 points, played a great all around game and was a fantastic defender in the paint. Nanu played this season for the Potomac HS in Dumfries, VA and has committed to Mt. St. Marys College in MD. At 6’7″, he uses his excellent wingspan for rebounding and shot blocking. Nanu was named 1st Team All Met this past week and he averaged 15 ppg for Potomac HS which finished at 23-3. The Panthers have won the Virginia 5A State Title in 3 of the last 5 years and Nanu played on 2 of those teams. We strongly feel Nanu will have a great career at The Mount in Emmitsburg, MD.
Most Versatile
Darron Barnes is a powerful 6’6″ 225lb PF who can play multiple positions. Darron scored 9 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and dished out 3 assists today. Darron lead the fast break on several occasions and always made the correct pass or decision. This year he played point forward, PF, WF, and center for the Wise Pumas who finished the year at 22-1. Without question Darron is one of the most versatile players in the DMV and one of the best unsigned prospects. This past week Darron was awarded 2nd Team All Met by the Washington Post. We will write a Recruit Report for Darron this coming week and we are very high on him as college prospect.
Play of the Game
Matt Kelly is a 5’11” PG who will play next year at Assumption College. Matt helped lead Quince Orchard HS to the Maryland 4A finals. He is excellent distributor, ball handler, shooter,and he possess a very high basketball IQ. Today Matt converted on a very long NBA range pull up 3 pointer in traffic with excellent form and proved he can in the paint off the dribble.We have watched Matt over the years and believe he will be an excellent PG for Assumption.
Most Consistent
Bryan Boelert will play next season at Assumption College and the 6’6′ WF played this season at Magruder HS in Maryland . Bryan scored 10 points on 5 of 9 shooting and collected 6 rebounds today. He impacted the game with big plays throughout the game and excels in the pick and pop. We feel Ryan is a great fit for Assumption College in Worcester, MA.
Video Courtesy of Capitol Hoops/Marc Stern
Moving Forward
Zion Cousins played this season at Frederick Douglass HS in MD and has signed to play next season with Howard University. Zion had a very solid game with 6 points, 4 boards and a block. He is a very long 6’8″ plus C/PF and displayed excellent explosion this season. Zion can block shots, rebound, finish at the rim and run the court in great fashion. The Bison are getting a fantastic player.
Best Defender
Dominik Fragala averaged an astonishing 36.9 ppg this past season at Champe HS in Virginia. The 6’0″ combo guard earned 1st Team All Met honors this past week and is currently unsigned. Today Dom did not have a very good shooting game, but played great defense and collected 4 rebounds, dished out 4 assists and recorded 4 steals. While his shots were not falling, they were in the most part close misses and had great form. We feel Dominik can play either PG or WG and is an excellent prospect. Prep Hoops Senior Writer Adam Aylaew wrote a great Recruiting Report for Dominik in 2016 and we will be writing an updated version shortly.
Best Under the Radar
Trent Dixon had an excellent season for the Central Falcons located just outside Washington, DC and is currently unsigned. Central advanced to the Maryland 2A semifinals and the 5’11” combo guard showed excellent flashes today. Trent displayed excellent ball handing skills and shooting touch today, finishing with 6 points, 3 rebounds and an assist. We were very impressed with Trent’s all around skills and we will be writing an updated Recruiting Report for him very soon.
Most Intriguing
Donald Carey. At 6’5,” Donald is a very intriguing PG/WG prospect who hails from Frederick Douglass HS in MD. Donald can finish in transition with either hand and can direct his team as a floor general. Today he scored 5 points, collected 6 rebounds and displayed how he utilizes his great length to his advantage. Donald proved this season he can hit the outside shot as well as create off the dribble. We will be writing a Recruiting Report for Donald this month.
Moving Forward
John Fierstein was a huge factor in leading Quince Orchard HS to the Maryland State 4A Title game where his Cougars lost to Perry Hall in OT. Senior Staff Writer Adam Ayalew wrote an excellent Recruiting Report for John on 3-23-17 who remains unsigned. We have seen John play this season 4 times and we are impressed with his poise and fantastic mid range game. He is very solid in all phases of basketball and an excellent student in the classroom. We will be updating his status in a few weeks and feel he his a great prospect at 6’3.5″. John told Adam Ayalew, ““I think I’m a point forward. In a pinch I can play PG. I did that growing up. If I have a mismatch, I can also go down low and post up,” said Fierstein when asked to describe his game.
Special Mention
1. Alan Treakle is one the most underrated PGs in the DMV and has played for Wakefiled HS since his freshmen year. Prep Hoops Senior Writer Jack Herron says this in his great assessment about Alan, “A great leader and distributor, Treakle is the type of point guard that keeps his cool in big game situations and it radiates throughout the team. He controls tempo well, makes the right pass in transition and can get his team into sets and get his players shots out of those sets. He’s also a great finisher for his size at the rim, and has a variety of floaters and finishes in the middle to avoid big men contesting shots.” We will be updating Alan’s status in the near future and to date he remains unsigned.
2. Kobe Colston showed of his PG skills toady and dished out 2 assists. Kobe played for Blake HS in Silver Spring, MD and averaged over 22 ppg this season. Senior Prep Hoops Staff Writer T.J. Hughes wrote in 2016, “Coby is a strong ball-handler who can score and set teammates up for success, Colston is now seeing improvements to his outside game – something he’s been working on. Coby replied, “My strengths as a player are still attacking off the dribble, and getting to the basket and then finding my teammates when they’re open,” he said. “But over the last couple of months I’ve been really working on my long-range shot and it’s been going in as of late – so that’s something I’m proud of.” We will be writing am updated Recruit Profile for Coby this month.
3. Corey Pelham played this past season at Lake Braddock HS in NOVA. Today the 5’10” PG scored 5 points, collected 2 rebounds and dealt out 2 assists. Senior Prep Hoops Senior Writer Jack Herron had this to say about Corey, “If asked who the top ten shooters in the senior class of VA are, that list would have to include Pelham somewhere because the kid scorched nets from deep all season long. Whether he’s on or off the basketball, Pelham has effortless range from well beyond the three point line, and his mechanics are why. Even off the bounce, Pelham gets his feet set and into his shooting motion very quickly which allows him to shoot it with little space. He’s also a solid finisher at the rim and once he gets hot it’s going to be a long night for defenders.” We will be writing an undated recruiting report for Corey in the near future.
Photo Courtesy of
4. Jonathan Mustamu played this season for the Kennedy Cavaliers in Silver Spring, MD. The 6’2″ WG was a key player in leading Kennedy HS to 25-5 record and Jonathan was awarded Honorable Mention All Met by the Washington Post. He is excellent in the mid range and maneuvering around the basket for a score. Additionally, he can drain a 3 and ball hawk on defense. We will be writing a recruiting Report for Jonathan this month and he is currently unsigned.