Wk. 1 Open Gym Notebook: Mt. Zion+ SJC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the first day of D1 coaches being allowed in the gym, we got out to see both the Prep+HS team at Mount Zion in addition to St. John's College High this past week. Plenty of returning and new talent to check out before our upcoming Top 250 Expo (9/22) later this month as well as our updated rankings to follow the event. Let's get into it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. John's College HS (DC)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A group that surprised some with a 3rd place finish in the WCAC last year, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1414529' first='Omari' last='Witherspoon'] leads a deep Cadets team full of returners looking to build on that momentum. [player_tooltip player_id='1782663' first='Devin' last='Toatley'] impressed with his usual array of paint touches but scored it well in the key with a variety of pull-ups, extension lays, and double-clutch finishes. I really loved his activity off the ball in passing lanes and he's using his strong frame to cut off driving lanes with much more regularity. [player_tooltip player_id='1588109' first='Finley' last='Billy'] has really improved his body, moving much better off the bounce and competing to stay in front defensively-- I caught him on a rare day that his shot wasn't falling but loved the passing flashes off the bounce to corner shooters and hook passes to teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1782593' first='Zyion' last='Chase'] still needs to improve the finishing touch around the rim but hit several C+S jumpers from the perimeter and looks more comfortable taking his matchup off the bounce. [player_tooltip player_id='2616662' first='Isaiah' last='Fowlkes'], [player_tooltip player_id='1969210' first='Geremy' last='Clark'], and freshman PG [player_tooltip player_id='2552522' first='Jeremiah' last='Walker'] did a good job getting their teams into the offense and creating for others off the bounce. [player_tooltip player_id='2353566' first='Oladeji' last='Olorungbohunmi'] is a sleeper 2027 prospect that figures to make an impact at both ends of the floor as a wing defender that can get to the rim and really bother scoring guards. And our #1 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2524394' first='Kareem' last='Smith-Bey'] did what he does, getting to the rim with regularity and serving as a versatile defensive disruptor that SJC can move up or down the lineup to create havoc for opponents. Incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2194784' first='Kaiden' last='Argueta'] is currently nursing a hand injury and was held out of contact drills for the day but figures to be a key piece off the bench as a hyper-athletic POA defender that can really get his team going in transition off of steals or long rebounds. KJ Little was also intriguing as a long-term developmental piece that is one of the best shooters in the class but also uses his quickness to break into the second line of the defense to make plays for his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Zion Prep (MD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Intriguing group of guards that can play multiple positions with differing skillsets. Rising senior <strong>Chris Jeffrey </strong>leads the way as a physical lead guard that uses his strength and speed to bully his way to the rim, midrange J looked good but I would like to see him use the athletic ability to develop into a nasty POA defender that can't be screened and disrupts his opponent's offensive rhythm. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579104' first='Bobby' last='Montgomery']</strong> did what he does as an explosive athlete that flies around defensively, finishes plays in transition, and hits the glass hard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2607606' first='Izzy' last='Everett'] </strong>and <strong>Ryan Lewis</strong> took turns on the ball and hit shots from the perimeter off the catch. <strong>Nasir Williams</strong> serves as a nice change of pace guard that sets the tone defensively, attacks closeouts, and provides vocal leadership. <strong>Emmanuel Kanga</strong> is coming along nicely after sitting out his junior year with a lower leg injury, expect him to continue being an impactful rebounder, shot-blocker, and play-finisher around the rim that has a developing perimeter game. Arguably the best prospect on the team, <strong>Favour Aire</strong>, is away from practice as he competes with his national team in Africa. But the bruising 7-footer will make a name for himself this season as a shot-blocking, rebounding, play-finishing physical force in the DMV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Zion Academy (MD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really deep group that will be whittled down to a tighter rotation as the preseason progresses but the guard play will likely carry the team this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494076' first='Francis' last='Folefac']</strong> is the only returning starter and looks to be in store for a monster senior year as the leader for this team. He rebounds and defends at a high level across multiple position groups, overpowers his matchup in the paint to score off of drives and rebounds, and boasts a growing perimeter skillset as a C+S threat and stationary passer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371857' first='Quron' last='Elliott']</strong> returns to the area and looked really good as a passer in the open floor and in the halfcourt. Elliott hit perimeter shots but didn't settle, getting to the rim to finish with extension layups with ease past the defense. Fellow senior PG transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284157' first='Jerome' last='Williams Jr']</strong> was the loud leader on the floor, running the show for his team and manufacturing paint touches to create open looks for his guys. Junior PG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2450393' first='Angel' last='Long']</strong> looks comfortable in his new threads (transferred in from Gaithersburg), knocking down perimeter looks off the bounce or coming off of screens while using his quickness to attack closeouts. <strong>Donovan Peterson</strong> mixed in nice scoring flashes at the rim and off the bounce from the midrange. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->