Summer Time Grind Summer League: Notable 2021s

<p>The Summer Time Grind Summer League has begun down at the UA House in Baltimore City. The league features eight teams from the area. It’s a solid mixture of teams from the MIAA, Baltimore County and Baltimore City.</p> <p>In this short series of articles, we’ll take a look at some prospects of each class to watch. This one will feature the rising juniors.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Malik Missouri | Gilman '21</strong></span></p> <p>Missouri had some struggles during the high school season finding his groove, but this spring playing with Team Thrill, he has displayed a renewed confidence and has caught the eyes of many. At 6-foot-5 with a long frame, Missouri is most efficient as a shooter in the mid-range, specifically in the corners. Make no mistake though, he can also do damage off the dribble around the rim utilizing his length. Missouri also brings tremendous value as a versatile defender and can impact a game significantly on that end.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Darrius Tilghman | City '21</strong></span></p> <p>Tilghman is coming off somewhat of a quiet sophomore season after transferring to City last spring. He'll look to bounce back and show why he was one of the highly anticipated prospects as a freshman in the area this summer. Thus far, Tilghman has done a nice job shooting from mid-range and three. He has sneaky athletcism that allows him to finish tough lay-ups around the rim. The 6-foot-3 guard still has some polishing to do on his decision making. The ball should be in his hands more often as a point guard so he could do so. We'll continue to watch how things pan out leading into next high school season.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Julian Reese | St. Frances '21</strong></span></p> <p>Reese supplies St. Frances with something they were severely lacking: length and versatility in the front court. They have a few players that can hold their own against bigger match-ups, but with the expected tough national schedule, they need someone like Reese, a 6-foot-9 forward, who can bring scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking. Reese has ability to step out and make shots, which will create space in the middle for the crafty St. Frances guards to operate in isolations, but where Reese has a chance to make the most impact by being a disrupting force in paint and helping limit the opposition to one-shot possessions.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Byron Ireland | St. Frances '21</strong></span></p> <p>Another potential impact transfer, Ireland brings quality depth and toughness to the St. Frances back court. The 6-foot-2 guard was regarded as a top player in Anne Arundel County and could be a viable option on the ball when the Panthers want to play VCU commit <strong>Ace Baldwin</strong> in the two-slot. Ireland is a hardhat type of player that competes on the defensive end, has a natural scoring ability from all three levels and can overwhelm his match-up with his athleticism.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Clarence Obijulu | City '21</strong></span></p> <p>Obijulu is a 6-foot-5 forward that still needs work on his overall game, but has the motor and strength to be an impact player in the front court. City doesn't have much size, so they rely on Obijulu to be the presence in the paint. He does this by rebounding aggressively and finishing strong around the rim when the City guards set him up off penetration.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Ahmad Harrison | Gerstell '21</strong></span></p> <p>Gerstell is severely lacking in height as a team, so the 6-foot-1 Harrison will at times be counted on to play as a forward. Luckily, he plays with a toughness that allows him to still have an impact and hold his own. Harrison is most effective as a shooter in the mid-range area, but when he decides to attack the rim, he seeks contact and isn't afraid to go into the chest of the awaiting big men. He is a fierce competitor on both sides of the ball.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Jeremiah Stanton | Gerstell '21</strong></span></p> <p>Stanton has improved immensely over the past year and a half. The 5-foot-10 guard is becoming more comfortable off the bounce and continues to polish on an already efficient three-point shot. Thus far, he's making good decisions with the ball as a passer and next to Harrison, will be relied on heavily for offensive production in the upcoming season.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Detwan Montague | St. Frances '21</strong></span></p> <p>Montague brings size along with Reese to St. Frances' lineup at 6-foot-7. He's limited as a scorer, as you'll really only see him score on the block with his back to the basket or off an offensive rebound, but the motor and effort he provides cannot be underestimated. That motor comes to light when Montague is crashing boards and running the floor.</p>