2018 Rankings Breakdown: Baltimore Guards Part 4
Since the 2018 player rankings were released last week, we’ve been taking a look at the breakdowns by sorting guards and forwards from the Baltimore area. Because of the long list of guards, it took four parts to look at all of them in this format. The forwards only took two. You can read them in the links following:
Cleveland Horton | 6’2 G | Baltimore Polytechnic Institute/Cecil Kirk | #65 overall
Horton is a tough-nosed guard that brings a physicality to the backcourt for the Poly Engineers. This season, he’ll be a key piece in returning to the Xfinity Center to protect their Class 3A Title. A good word for Horton’s game is scrappy, and that refers to both ends. Defensively he is always looking for the steal whether he is on or off the ball to spark a fastbreak. Offensively, he’s strongest when he takes his man off the dribble attacking the basket, but this summer he is putting his focus on improving his three-point and mid-range shooting ability.
Jordan Goodwin | 6’1 G | St. Frances/Mid-Atlantic Select | #73 overall
Goodwin is a solid all-around guard with high basketball IQ. The thing that stands out most about Goodwin is that he can adjust according to how the game is going in terms of filling a specific role his team needs in order to win. The 6’1 guard also has the ability to put up a crooked number in the scoring column. This AAU season alone, he’s recorded multiple games with 25 point or more. He is shifty with a quick initial step off the catch and will play off that to tee up a three or follow through and take it to the basket. Goodwin holds offers from UMBC and Siena.
Elijah Epps | 6’3 G | St. Frances/Team Melo | #77 overall
Epps is another physically imposing guard with good size. Like Goodwin, Epps can fill a multitude of roles on the floor. He can feel it up from three once he sees one go in, but Epps also knows when to pull the ball out and get his team in a set. He can mix it up and take it to the rim where he finishes at an efficient rate. His body allows him to absorb contact and still finish. Defensively, Epps still has to improve a bit off the ball, but on the ball he works extremely hard. He has active hands, but does a better job of forcing his man to work.
Seth Jones | 5’10 G | Baltimore Polytechnic Institute/Cecil Kirk | #93 overall
Jones is a smart individual both on and off the floor. He prides himself with his academics. On the floor, Jones is a scrappy guard that can knock down the long ball, which are the characteristics that have become vital to being a consistent-playing point guard in today’s game. Jones wasn’t the first or second option for the Engineers last season, but whenever his number was called throughout a game to hit a big shot, he came through. Jones is consistent as well on both ends. One thing a championship team needs is for guys to bring a consistent effort every single night and being able to answer the bell when it rings. Jones categorizes as one of those players.
Kendall McMillan | 6’1 G | Mt. St. Joe/Maryland 3D | #94 overall
McMillan is another solid choice to have at the point guard position being that he looks to make plays for others most of the time. For the Gaels this season, he’ll be expected to do plenty of that playing alongside Jalen Smith and James Bishop, two of the top scorers in the MIAA A Conference. McMillan also stands out with how he communicates. Whether it’s assuring his team what set they are running, or talking off the ball defensively, McMillan does a great job keeping his teammates on the same page.
Cameron Briggs | 6’4 G | Calvert Hall/Maryland 3D | #98 overall
Briggs is a good-sized guard at 6’4 who thrives on knocking down mid-range shots off the dribble. Even though the mid-range shot has become a lost art in today’s game, it can still be considered a good shot off of a pump fake. The reason why Briggs can free himself up from 15-18 feet is because he can also shoot from three. Briggs works hard in crashing the glass for rebounds as well. In most cases, his match up usually is smaller, so he can make his presence felt by utilizing his size for a chance to start a fast break or getting some easy baskets from offensive rebounds.