2023 Quinton Monroe is a name to know
The Lake Clifton Lakers captured their 3rd-straight Class 1A title last night at the Xfinity Center with a win over city rival Edmondson-Westside. It was another brilliant coaching clinic from head coach Herman ‘Tree’ Harried from start to finish this season and along the way, his players made names for themselves. Of that group was 2023 guard Quinton Monroe. The 6-foot-3 sniper really turned up his production in the latter portion of the schedule and came through with impressive scoring performances throughout their state title run.
Monroe finished with 25 points in the final four game against Cambridge-South Dorchester and once again led the way in the championship game with 22. Prep Hoops caught up with Monroe following the final four victory.
“The way I would describe my game is a defensive player first,” Monroe said. “I use my defense to create my energy for the offensive end. I just work hard and play a lot of defense because I know the stuff on offense will come.”
Lake Clifton has always been a program that prides themselves on tough, gritty play on the defensive end of the floor. Ranging from straight man-to-man, trapping zones or overwhelming full-court pressure, Coach Tree expects his players to be able to adapt and thrive in any scheme he asks of them.
On top of being a solid defender, Monroe brings a crucial aspect to the floor as well: floor spacing. He doesn’t have the quickest release at this point, but it’s still fast enough to make his defender pay for giving him too much space on the catch. Once he gets in rhythm, he’s a shooter that can knock off 2-to-3 straight and really swing the momentum of a game.
“Coach Tree is always getting on us to improve at the defensive end. So even though I think I’m a good defender, he’s always giving me things that I need to be better at. It’s always just looking for ways to get better at defense,” Monroe replied when asked what he needs to improve on.
Coach Tree has also built the reputation of demanding success in the classroom as well. Monroe is performing in that regard as well by boasting a 3.5 GPA.
Monroe hasn’t received any calls from any programs as of yet. He would prefer to get out of Maryland for college, but doesn’t have any particular priority list other than that.
Considering his impact as a sharpshooting off-ball guard who can defend either guard spot effectively, it’d be smart for low-major Division I programs to start looking into Monroe before his name takes off over the next 3-to-4 months.