DMV Roundtable: Biggest 2020 story line, seniors standing out, freshman exceeding expectations
Happy 2020! This is the first roundtable since the new calendar year. With that being said, it marks the half way point of the season and the portion of the team’s schedules where they play a bulk of games in…
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Continue ReadingHappy 2020! This is the first roundtable since the new calendar year. With that being said, it marks the half way point of the season and the portion of the team’s schedules where they play a bulk of games in the span of three or four weeks. Let’s jump right in.
What is the biggest story line heading into 2020?
Giacubeno: Here in the Baltimore area, I’ll have to go with the fact that St. Frances 2020 duo in Jordan Toles and Jahmal Banks will leave school early to enroll in their respective universities. Both will play football and prepare for spring ball, Toles with LSU and Banks with Wake Forrest. Losing these two elite athletes will definitely take a hit to St. Frances’ attack. The Panthers will still be equipped with high level players in Ace Baldwin (VCU), Jamal West (South Alabama), and 2021 forward Julian Reese, but will losing the likes of Toles and Banks make them more vulnerable?
Ayalew: I think the biggest story line heading into 2020 is the parity that exists within the DC area, particularly in the private school leagues. The WCAC has been wild so far this season. It seems like on a given night one of the top teams is in jeopardy of losing. McNamara’s road win over PVI and Good Counsel’s win over Gonzaga earlier this season are proof that there is never a night off in that league. SSSAS looks like the team to beat in the IAC, but Episcopal and Bullis might have something to say about that. St. Andrew’s has looked good in the MAC, with their signature win coming on the road against Sidwell. I wouldn’t count out the Quakers just yet. They still have yet to play at full strength this season.
Wilson: In my opinion the biggest story line heading into 2020 is how competitive the WCAC is going to be. Right now there is absolutely no clear favorite as to who is going to win the conference. Some of the programs that we usually see at the top of the standings have taken losses to programs that are rebuilding including Good Counsels win over Gonzaga and Bishop McNamara’s win over Paul VI. St. John’s might be the surprise team so far with how they have been playing to start the year and it looks like DeMatha might be starting to hit their groove. It is going to be really fun to see how this race plays out in what is considered the best high school basketball league in the country.
2. We only have a few more months to enjoy this senior class. Who has gotten off to a hot start to begin the new year?
Giacubeno: Jason Edokpayi of Mount St. Joseph has carried over his strong senior season into 2020. Yesterday in a big win over John Carroll, he was instrumental in their win with 16 points and for stretches, looked unstoppable. Entering the season, Edokpayi was expected to shoulder much of the production in the frontcourt for the Gaels. He’s showed obvious progression and development in his game, which has given confirmation that Fairfield gained a steal with Edokpayi giving his pledge in early October.
Also, I feel like I have to mention the play of Poly’s 2020 duo in Rahim Ali and Brandon Murray. Both of which are unsigned and not gaining enough attention from Division I programs. Ali is a certified winner and floor general looking to lead the Engineers’ to their fourth-straight Class 3A title since he took over as point guard as a freshman. Murray is a 6-foot-4 athletic beast that can score over the rim or from three. He recently picked up an offer from North Texas from his play at the Beach Ball Classic, but there’s no reason why CAA or A-10 programs shouldn’t be recruiting this guy.
Ayalew: Cam Tweedy has been a monster for Westlake. The unsigned senior forward has been a walking double-double and plays with max effort each time he hits the court. The three seniors from Oxon Hill, Ronald Polite, Mike Sumner, and Malik Holland, have all played well to start the season also. One under-the-radar player who has stepped up his game is Riverside’s Beau Everett. The unsigned senior, who is averaging over 22 points per game in his last three, is flourishing on both ends of the court for the Rams.
Wilson: John “Mikey” Square has been an important centerpiece for St. John’s as one of the three seniors on his team and colleges are certainly starting to take notice. He recently picked up his first division one offer from Canisius. What stands out for him is an improved motor, just overall more activity and more of a consistent jump shot.
I did not attend the Bishop McNamara win over Paul VI last week but the word out of Fairfax was that 2020 Aaron Russell was tremendous. I have seen him a few times this year and he definitely has taken the next step in his game which has helped his recruitment. If he can continue to make shots and be the offensive player we think he can be, he could be an x-factor for McNamara and be huge for them heading into 2020.
3. We’re pretty much to the halfway point of the season now, which has given us a chance to get a fair look at this freshman class. Who are some names that have been exceeding your expectations?
Giacubeno: Kwame Evans of Poly has been very productive as indicated by his insertion into the starting lineup. At a legit 6-foot-8, Evans caught me by surprise with just how accurate he can shoot from beyond the arc. It’s always a question with freshman playing at the varsity level if they’ll be able to adjust to the speed of close outs, but that’s where Evans’ size has played a huge role. He doesn’t have to rush his shot because he can elevate over the defender without his shot being distorted. He’s also been finishing well in transition. His long strides allow him to get out in lanes and beat the transition defense.
Ayalew: One name that immediately comes to mind is Cam Gillus from Sidwell Friends. Gillus is playing more minutes than expected due to the injury of Afamdi Achufusi, and has taken full advantage of the opportunity. He was by far their top performer in their most recent game vs. Episcopal. Mason So, a freshman guard from O’Connell, has also played well and continues to improve. The lefty has been a key player for the Knights so far this season.
Wilson: As I mentioned earlier, St. John’s is off to a really impressive start and part of the reason is because of 2023 Amani Hansberry. Hansberry has been an absolute beast in the paint for the Cadets. He has the productivity of an upperclassmen and has held his own against some of the top big men in the area. It will be important for him to sustain this success as the Cadets start the meat of their conference schedule soon and the competition starts to get a little tougher.
I don’t get a chance to see McDonogh frequently but back when I saw them play at the Gonzaga DC Classic, I liked what I saw from Mathani Paul-Swinson. I saw a confident shooter that has the capability of hitting a long jumper and a guy that can hit shots off balance and overall lead a team well at the lead guard position. He demonstrated good hustle too going after 50/50 balls and going up for rebounds on the defensive end even though he was one of the smaller guys on the team.