National Hoopfest DC/MD Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual National Hoopfest took place at DeMatha again this year, and as always it featured some of the top teams from all over the country and was absolutely loaded with prospects for all levels. It has become a must for college coaches to stop by, and with all the talent it makes sense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will take a long look at the many standouts from the event, and here we look at part one of some of the standouts from the DC and Maryland schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you'd like to see watch the replay of all the games, you can find them on the <a href="http://cbglivenetwork.com">CBG Live Network</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Martin Somerville | 6'2” WG | Bishop McNamara '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNamara was without their two top ball handlers in seniors Jaedon Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id='957109' first='Jeremiah' last='Quigley'], and Somerville stepped up big for them despite them losing a close one to Dream City (AZ). The 6'2” wing did a little bit of everything as he helped with the ball handling and stayed out of pressure, he made shots consistently from deep and in the midrange and he helped rebound as well. He's part of a deep backcourt there that will be a tough matchup come WCAC play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prince Alexander-Moody | 6'3” CG | Bishop McNamara '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1694390,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Alexander-Moody-Prince.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Alexander-Moody-Prince.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1694390" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it's still early, many of us believe this 2026 class in the DMV is going to be very special, and Alexander-Moody planted himself right in the conversation of some of the top in the area with his play this weekend. At 6'3” he's a big time athlete already who is likely still growing and will get more explosive with time, he's aggressive with the ball in his hands getting to spots and looking to score and he showed he can score from all over the court. Throw in the fact that he's a big time defender too and the intrigue is very real with this young player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225255' first='Tyler' last='Boston'] | 5'11” PG | Bullis '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1694388,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Boston-Tyler-MVP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Boston-Tyler-MVP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1694388" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boston sometimes gets forgotten when it comes to the best lead guards in the DMV, but he reminded everyone as he was absolutely fantastic in Bullis' close win over George School (PA). Boston plays with tremendous pace as he changes speeds well and doesn't get sped up with pressure, he sets the tone on both ends and controls the tempo while making plays for others off the bounce and he has a quick first step that allows him to get in the lane where he's an elite finisher over bigger defenders. He was named MVP in their win, going for 15 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and only turning it over one time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579101' first='Jewel' last='Walker'] | 6'4” F | Bullis '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker is the x-factor for this Bullis team and is often the unsung hero for them, as he can play and guard multiple positions and he produces in so many ways on both ends of the floor. He's a physical forward who can muscle his way in the paint for buckets and rebounds, he can step out and play on the perimeter and he can switch and guard multiple positions with a high motor too. He finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds while going 4-for-6 from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1164818' first='Caden' last='Diggs'] | 6'7” WF | Bullis '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1496849,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Diggs-Caden.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Diggs-Caden.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1496849" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diggs is perhaps the most intriguing prospect for this Bullis team, and while he didn't have the best showing and started slow he picked it up late and made key plays for them down the stretch. He has terrific size on the wing and couples that with explosive athleticism as a finisher and rebounder, he is improving as a jump shooter and he's at his best when he can catch and go and get downhill where he can finish through traffic. He finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds in their win, scoring all his points in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adrien Stephens | 6'5” WF | Bullis '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens is a player I came away impressed with as you project him down the line, as he's a big wing with a good frame and showed he can really shoot the basketball. He's already well built and will continue to fill out with time, he moves well and can defend on the perimeter and he showed a great stroke from deep. He finished with 9 points going 3-for-7 from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->