MIAA Mid-Season Senior Standouts

We are now halfway through the MIAA A Conference schedule and will be taking a look at the prospects from the various classes who have stood out thus far. The current senior class has been a fun group to watch develop. Many have set their minds to where they’ll attend the next level, but there remain a few available prospects that can help programs at various levels. Let’s take a look at who has stood out thus far among the seniors. [player_tooltip player_id="837931" first="Kevin" last="Kalu"] | 6’8 | Mt. Carmel Kalu has emerged as the most productive big in the MIAA by far. His relentless pursuit in rebounding the basketball has carried over into over a handful of double-double outings. His most recent game of 19 points and 19 boards in a win over Calvert Hall is a snapshot of what he’s put together all season for the first-place 8-0 Cougars. The tenacity in which he dunks will soon result in a broken rim or backboard. I’m confident in that. When he isn’t threatening the rim, Kalu is finishing over the shoulder hooks or converting at the free-throw line. Defensively he’s also been a shot-blocking presence in the paint. Kalu remains unsigned. Division I programs in need of a hardworking big should be doing their due diligence. [player_tooltip player_id="954213" first="D’Angelo" last="Stines"] | 6’3 | Mount St. Joseph Stines has been excellent as a senior in getting the Gaels off to a 5-1 start. The Old Dominion signee is bringing production to both sides of the floor and really taking pride in his individual defense, which is a rare trait in a signed senior. He’s electing to guard the opposing team’s primary scoring option on the perimeter and making life difficult for them. Offensively his game off the dribble is developing steadily. He’s comfortable shooting off the bounce from mid-range and three. When in transition, his improved athleticism is coming to light as seen by a couple poster finishes that left defenders in the wrong spot at the wrong time. [player_tooltip player_id="836491" first="Khyrie" last="Staten"] | 6’2 | St. Frances Staten and Stines are a couple of prospects that I’ve been fortunate enough to watch grow into legitimate Division I prospects. They both spent time at the junior varsity level and earned their stripes. As usual, Staten brings relentless energy on the defensive end both on and off the ball. Offensively he continues to pour in three’s by the boatload with any time or space. Like Stines, Staten is becoming more comfortable off the dribble and will need to be a secondary ball handler when he takes the floor for Delaware State next season. [player_tooltip player_id="712747" first="Julian" last="Reese"] | 6’9 | St. Frances Reese has shown stints of dominance throughout his senior season. More so in games prior to the MIAA schedule, but he’s still been a dominant presence around the rim disrupting shots and holding down the glass. The Panthers are equipped with a number of talented scorers, so while Reese has been doing a better job this season moving without the ball, he may not get the opportunities simply because others can put the ball in the basket at such a high rate. The future Maryland Terp will still need to improve on his overall aggressive mindset in preparation for life in the Big Ten Conference, but he will be key in St. Frances protecting their BCL championship this season as they sit currently with a 7-0 record. [player_tooltip player_id="902051" first="Sean" last="Carr"] | 6’6 | Mount St. Joseph Carr is another top unsigned senior in the area that continues to produce at a steady rate. The 6-foot-6 forward has become a legit scoring threat from beyond the arc and in the mid-range when operating off one or two dribbles. The continues evolution of his game has given the Gaels a much different look and spacing while playing in the half court. Make no mistake he can still generate points on possessions where he catches the ball in the paint with his back to the basket, but at the next level his versatility will be a major plus. Carr is being courted by Division II and Division III programs. [player_tooltip player_id="902019" first="Cam" last="Smith"] | 6’7 | Loyola Smith is a senior who’s plate just got full. With 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="904648" first="Gavin" last="Walsh"] going down with an ankle injury, the offensive scoring load all rests on Smith’s shoulders. He responded well in their latest game against Goretti when the 6-foot-7 forward when for 30. It’ll be difficult for him to keep the pace, but he’s shown good signs of activity throughout the last month on both ends. Smith is a great athlete with a solid frame and impacts the game as a scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker when locked in. Smith remains unsigned. [player_tooltip player_id="902060" first="Jeremiah" last="Stanton"] | 5’11 | Gerstell Stanton has been a lone bright spot for the Falcons this season as he holds the keys to the offense. Stanton is expected not only to be a scorer, but make every other player on the floor around him better. He’s still learning how to balance the two, but I’ve seen obvious signs of improvement. Stanton can surprise you with how quickly he can fill up the scoring column. Multiple Division III programs are actively recruiting the 5-foot-11 combo guard. [player_tooltip player_id="1049644" first="Tevin" last="Curtis"] | 5’11 | St. Frances Curtis doesn’t get enough credit for what he brings to this Panthers rotation. Head coach Nick Myles has the luxury of inserting him in the starting lineup or utilizing him as the sixth or seventh man, but he knows exactly what he’ll get out of Curtis each time he takes the floor. That includes precise shooting from three, a willing passer and a hard-nosed defender. The 5-foot-11 southpaw has been a crucial floor-spacing presence especially in transition. Curtis remains unsigned. [player_tooltip player_id="904668" first="Elijah" last="Davis"] | 6’0 | St. Frances Davis has been the unsung hero for this St. Frances team all winter and it’s because of his point guard skill set. The Panthers are loaded with guys who can get buckets and while that’s all well and good, you still need someone to run the show, be unselfish and get after it on the defensive end. Davis checks all of those boxes. It’s a reason why he fit the blueprint for what Mississippi Valley State was looking for, as he quickly committed after receiving the offer from head coach Linday Hunter. Davis’ presence should not be overlooked simply because he doesn’t post crooked numbers in the scoring category.