MIAA A Conference Preview

AAANNNNDDD WE’RE BACK! It’s been a long and confusing road in 2020-21, but we’ve finally managed to get some sort of high school basketball season in Baltimore this winter. Over the weekend the MIAA released it’s schedule for games that will run from February 17 through March 17. Each team will play 11-to-13 games. With an uneven total number of teams, some weeks there will be programs who will have a "bye." After the first week of games that start on a February 17, games will run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Now that we know the season is happening, we can officially get into some preview content and monitor it as it progresses. St. Frances has the upper hand St. Frances enters this season with an advantage given the fact that they’ve been playing in national events for the past couple of months. The biggest issue that teams will face is getting into game shape. That won’t be the case for the Panthers. Oh yeah, and they’re also really, really good. That helps too. Maryland commit [player_tooltip player_id="712747" first="Julian" last="Reese"] has been productive this winter on both ends and has showcased a more versatile approach to the offensive end. Along with being a dominant rebounding presence and a shot-blocker, he’s now capable of making open three’s with consistency. Delaware State commit [player_tooltip player_id="836491" first="Khyrie" last="Staten"] has been one of the most valuable players to this team for the last two years. That won’t change as they’ll rely on him to cause havoc defensively, make three’s and be a scoring threat in transition. 2021 guard Byron Ireland is still one of the more underappreciated prospects in Baltimore and has shown ability to run the point guard position for stints throughout games. Look for him to take complete advantage of this shortened season. 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1089573" first="Derik" last="Queen"] plays alongside Reese in the frontcourt and has proven to be one of, if not the top freshman in the state. The 6-foot-8 freshman is as versatile as they come and has the vision and playmaking ability for his size that is extremely rare. 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957025" first="Jahnathan" last="Lamothe"] is a critical piece to this team because of his ability to spread the floor with a lethal jumper from deep. He’s also become an excellent off-ball defender who creates deflections. Mississippi Valley state commit [player_tooltip player_id="904668" first="Elijah" last="Davis"] is the table-setter for this talented roster. His energy defensively spreads throughout his team and his unselfish ways on the offensive end helps keep everything balanced. 2022 wing [player_tooltip player_id="1110545" first="Cortez" last="Johnson"] seems to be finding his niche. The 6-foot-7 junior brings more versatility off the bench and ability to have an impact in multiple statistical categories. Mount Saint Joe not to be overlooked It seems like every year, the Gaels will graduate a group of talented seniors and people begin to write them off the following season. Year after year they’ve proven people wrong and this season shouldn’t be any different. Old Dominion commit [player_tooltip player_id="954213" first="D’Angelo" last="Stines"] is primed for big scoring performances and has polished his overall game since his breakout junior season. 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="902023" first="Ausar" last="Crawley"] is the ultimate floor general who is seasoned and knows exactly what it takes to lead his team to championships. 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="902051" first="Sean" last="Carr"] will be my preseason most improved player as the senior now stands 6-foot-6, improved drastically with his athleticism and can knock down three’s with regularity now. They have a collection of players currently flying under the radar, but will soon make themselves known. That list includes 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1110551" first="Aidan" last="Mess"], 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1049863" first="Ace" last="Valentine"], 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957059" first="Austin" last="Abrams"], 2023 guard Sean Valentine, 2023 forward [player_tooltip player_id="957110" first="Julien" last="Moutome"] and 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id="1127305" first="Bryson" last="Tucker"]. Don’t be surprised when this team once again is at the top of the standing battling with the other 2-to-3 teams who are expected win the majority of their contests. Spalding looks to prove themselves On paper Spalding may have the best team in the league. Led by 2022 wing/forward Cam Whitmore, the Cavaliers ended the 2019-20 season making a late push and upsetting the No. 1 seed in the Red Division in Gilman before coming up short in the MIAA Semifinals. At 6-foot-7 and versatile as they come, Whitmore has the potential to blossom into a very special prospect. He showcased his further development this summer with Team Melo, but if Spalding plans on taking that next step, they’ll need him to be the star. 2022 guard/wing [player_tooltip player_id="837924" first="CJ" last="Scott"] is a swiss army knife. He impacts a handful of statistical categories and when he’s engaged he can cause massive issues for the opposition on both ends. 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="954640" first="Jordan" last="Pennick"] is coming off a productive summer with Team Choo where he was a primary scorer. He’ll be asked to score from the off-ball guard spot, but his tenacious on-ball defense and toughness is what makes this team the best version of themselves. 2022 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="904646" first="Tyheil" last="Peterson"] split time on and off the ball last season. Peterson is a crafty finisher around the basket and has ability to set up shop from outside. The Cavs will rely heavily on other role players for consistent production, as opposing teams will game plan to limit these four as much as possible. Can John Carroll take the next step? John Carroll had one of the more drastic turnarounds that I’ve seen since covering the Baltimore high school basketball scene. It starts with their talented backcourt in 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="712769" first="Jalen" last="Bryant"] and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="837919" first="Tyson" last="Commander"]. Bryant will look to prove himself in this shortened season after averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals as a junior. Commander asserted himself as one of the best young scorers in the area as a sophomore scoring 18 points per game and shooting 38 percent from deep on a high volume of attempts. One critical piece to the puzzle will be the play from 2022 center [player_tooltip player_id="777067" first="Cesar" last="Tchilombo"]. The 6-foot-8 big man got off to a dominant start last season especially as a shot-blocker, but as the season progressed, teams aimed to get him into early foul trouble and limit his minutes and aggression. If he can provide the paint presence this team needs on both ends, they’ll be extremely tough to guard. 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="904680" first="TJ" last="Vaughn"] is the table-setter for this uptempo offense. He can score when needed, but this team fires on all cylinders when he’s leading the break and looking for Bryant or Commander spotting up around the arc. 2022 wing Terry Long Jr. was more of utility guy for the Patriots last season, but will be expected to score more often as defenses will do whatever they can to contain Bryant and Commander. 2022 big man [player_tooltip player_id="904631" first="Joel" last="Turay"] played his first season in the United States last season. It was clear that the pace was something he had to adjust to and after another spring and summer of polishing his skills and IQ, look for him to be a useful piece off the bench behind Tchilombo. Can Mt. Carmel shock the league? I was fortunate enough to get in the gym recently to see the Cougars and 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="904628" first="Deon" last="Perry"] looks ready for the season. The 5-foot-9 floor general carried a heavy scoring load as a sophomore before his outstanding summer with Team Melo where he showcased more of his overall point guard package. I’d expect Perry still to be aggressive as a scorer, but his playmaking will create more opportunities for guys such as 2022 guard Toby Nnadozie. Nnadozie is a 6-foot-3 off-ball guard with elite athleticism that comes to light in the open floor and anticipating in passing lanes defensively. His jump shot has steadily improved and he should demand a little more respect from outside this season. 2021 center [player_tooltip player_id="837931" first="Kevin" last="Kalu"] was a massive addition for the Cougars after losing 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="836490" first="Koralp" last="Turk"]. Kalu is the typical rim-running big that can finish explosively around the rim and be a consistent rebounding presence. 2022 center Tasas Gudonis is a new face to the lineup after enrolling this fall from Lithuania. Gudonis stands a little over 6-foot-9 and showed versatility in his scoring. While limited off the bounce, he’ll be a pick-and-pop threat as well as a guy who can score when operating on the block. 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1127307" first="Andrew" last="Dixon"] is a name to keep an eye on. The freshman guard can create for other as well as knock down shots from three, so he’ll be another player that benefits off the defense’s attention being elsewhere. Other notes: McDonogh The Eagles will likely be without their senior leader [player_tooltip player_id="775326" first="Jared" last="Billups"] for the first two games as he continues to sure up some lingering injuries. All indications point to him being ready to go when he does officially take the floor. 2023 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="957023" first="Mathani" last="Paul-Swinson"] has took strides in just about all aspects of his game, but most importantly his jumper. Defenses will be forced to respect it much more than they did last season. This one may be tough to believe, but 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="904635" first="Dani" last="Dennis-Sutton"] is in the best shape I’ve seen him in. He’s strong as an ox, but leaner and more mobile than he was his sophomore year. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="904633" first="Preston" last="Howard"] continues to battle with nagging injuries. The Eagles will need him on the floor if they plan on creating a few upsets along the way. 2024 center [player_tooltip player_id="1127302" first="Gabe" last="Grant"] is one of the more intriguing young prospects in MD/DC. At 6-foot-9 and left-handed, Grant has a ways to go with development, but has the tools to become a dominant presence at both ends. Gilman The Hounds’ success begins and ends with the play of 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="777071" first="Christian" last="Winborne"]. He’s blossomed into one of the top prospects in MD/DC regardless of class and continues to polish his overall game. 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="904677" first="Jalen" last="Marshall"] will take on an increased role this season as defenses may double-team Winborne throughout the game. 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="902036" first="Malik" last="Missouri"] looks to bounce back from an injury-riddled junior season and end his high school career on a high note. Calvert Hall The Cardinals are still incredibly young, but have the talent to make things tough for better teams when they’re locked in. 2023 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="957020" first="Mike" last="Williams"] is steadily progressing and becoming more comfortable with the ball in his hands. Williams’ younger brother Isaiah, a 2024 guard, brings outside shooting and more athleticism to the backcourt. 2023 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="957039" first="Samartine" last="Bogues"] is one of the peskiest defenders you’ll find as he mirrors his grandfather Mugsy Bogues’ approach to both ends. They also have an array of role players who are liable to have an impact in different ways.