Flint Hill Tip-Off Classic: Day 1 Breakdown DMV Boys

Friendship Tech Prep (2-1) vs Sandy Spring Friends (1-3)   74-53 Tech Prep W   Tech Prep was looking for a bounce back win, and they fulfilled it with this huge win over Sandy Spring. From start to finish Tech was ahead big from junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782661' first='Malik' last='Shackleford'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1414532' first='Aidan' last='Haskins']' basket-making. They hit shots with high difficulty and tough defense, but also cashed in on their open ones more times than not. True scoring clinic from them, and [player_tooltip player_id='2148719' first='Mekhi' last='Polk'] had and hand in every category racking up steals, quick points, assists, and some rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='1782601' first='Nazaire' last='Hinton'] stepped up big defensively capturing lots of blocks and owning the paint. The overall tenacity and cohesiveness Friendship Tech had that made them seem unstoppable.   Here are my highlighted prospects from this game.   6'8 C [player_tooltip player_id='1782601' first='Nazaire' last='Hinton'] | Friendship Tech | 2025   Hinton was the enforcer this game vs Sandy Spring. Dominated inside grabbing all rebounds defensively and deterring the opposition from shooting close. He was the backline of the tough Tech zone defense, and was one of the reasons they could make defensive switches. His finishing in the paint was better this game, used his size well against smaller forwards. Found a couple shooters from the post and also had some post-turns into a basket over defense.   6'3 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1782661' first='Malik' last='Shackleford'] | Friendship Tech | 2025   Once again Shackleford scored at will on the floor. He caught fire in the first half and started making everything he looked at. Made contested threes, contact layups, broke down the defender and scored well too. Nothing that he wasn't capable of doing in this game, and that was made clear in the first half alone. He made twos and threes just alike in this game, got to his spots well and finished the play. Had a lot of tips and steals through the passing lane as well.   5'11 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2148719' first='Mekhi' last='Polk'] | Friendship Tech | 2026   Polk was impressive again in another Tech Prep win. His defensive approach really ignites the whole team. When he's defending full-court and locking down the ball, the team follows and tips passes and pokes the ball for a stretch. He got about half of his points on the backend of the fastbreak after playing outstanding defense. In the halfcourt, Polk got everyone involved and knocked down the shots he took. Likes to swing the ball and attack the gaps that the defense provides and does it will. Pretty dangerous in the second level once he gets by his defender. Made the right read more times than not. Made a couple of jumpshots this game that didn't fall for him in the last.   6'4 SF Mattis Lompo | Sandy Spring | 2027   This sophomore forward was very impressive without scoring many points. His defense rang out as he blocked a lot of shots, some turned some crowd heads. He isn't the biggest forward but his activity on the court makes you look past it. His energy was infectious, teammates had no choice but to put their best effort out, especially defensively. Lompo grabbed a whole load of rebounds despite Sandy Spring being the smaller team. Lompo can get to the rim, but he will need to sure up his handles and shooting to have a larger offensive impact. Really liked the game and effort that Lompo put out, being an underclassmen playing big minutes will only help his progression.   6'0 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1370510' first='Darrion' last='Sardo'] | Sandy Spring | 2025   Sardo isn't the most athletic or quickest guard out on the floor, but he sure gives the defense problems. His jumpshot was almost automatic, and he looked for it off-the-dribble as well as off the screens. He did all he could to keep Sandy Spring in arms length of tech Prep. Scored a lot of points and got to his spots. The defense was tough, especially in their zone pickup, but Sardo showed he can score on anyone. He used his body well and controlled his movements and pace to beat the defense. Got fouled at the basket a lot and knew how to get to the rim. Pretty good showing although things did not end in their favor.   Springdale Prep (9-0) vs Flint Hill (0-1)   94-83 Springdale Prep W   Springdale jumped out to a hot start thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='2242081' first='Kisean' last='Robinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2528346' first='Elijah' last='Mobley']. Robinson came out firing on offense and therefore was able to catch a rhythm. Mobley checked into the game and immediately made a positive impact. He hit shots from everywhere on the floor and made it look easy at times.    But the true home team did not back down in their home opener. [player_tooltip player_id='1494120' first='Everett' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2242418' first='Jack' last='Lloyd'] kept the ship steady for the Huskies as they had a huge hand in every run the team would make, eventually tying the score at one point in the 2nd half. Flint Hill showed heart and talent in this game against a more superior team on paper, keeping things close up until the final minute or two.    Here are my standouts from this competitive game.     Mobley was outstanding to watch vs Flint Hill. His IQ jumped out immediately, had a couple of simple drives to the rim that he finished on a jumpstop, one resulted in a strong finish and the second leading to a kickout for an open 3. Mobley's jumper is sound and smooth, felt like he made every single open three he took. His shooting wasn't all he provided, he broke down the defense plenty of times and finished with a smooth pull-up or a contested floater. His defense was on par as well, timed a handful of steals by reading the passing lanes. Seemed to make the right play every time he was in control. Excited to see more of Mobley as he should be on the college scouts radar this senior season.     Sagba was a solid factor in the paint for Springdale Prep. He took advantage of his big frame and handled business inside, finishing a plethora of layups underneath through contact. Flint Hill couldn't contain him when he decided he was going to get to the ball down. He blocked a lot of shots, and I was most impressed with his discipline. Stayed out of foul trouble although tallying at least 3-4 blocked shots, so he was able to play big minutes and produce well. Had a dominant impact inside the painted area in another Springdale win.     Kisean was the lead guard and seems to be the lead guy for Springdale as well. He came out of the gates looking to score first, and he caught a rhythm early on. Once Robinson was on, he was electrifying. He hit shots from anywhere on the court whether shooting or finishing at the basket. He is a very confident scorer who did not let his misses derail him. Knocked down plenty of open catch-and-shoot 3's to show he is a threat from beyond just as he is a threat to blow-by and create a better opportunity. Plays with a chip on his shoulder all game and seemed to always be energized, leading many fastbreaks. Very nice ability shown from the senior PG.     Jack lit up the arc with his shooting. He got started early on and each time the defense was late, he burned him with a 3-ball. hit shots from the corner, top of the perimeter, and wings alike. He put the ball down and made a few pull-up jumpers as well. Had a steady scoring night that the Huskies needed to stay close with a tough undefeated opponent.     Jones really highlighted his point guard ability in this battle with Springdale. In the first half he was finding his teammates all over the court, whether making great outlet passes in transition, hitting a cutter with a dime, or making the smart rotation. As the game went on, Jones started to look for his shot more aggressively and got by his defender pretty cleanly. Shot the ball with confidence and drilled a couple momentum-shifting threes. Has a nice jumpshot, but this game asked for more playmaking and timely shot-making from him, and he answered the call. Impressive all around game from Everett     Fitzgerald was a huge spark plug for Flint Hill. He had about three and-1 finishes that ignited Husky runs to close the gap in the second half. Fitzgerald was not wavered by the big bodies Springdale had waiting in the paint. He focused well and made high-difficulty layups consistently. Always seemed to make a big basket right on time for the Huskies in a very intense game. Prospect to watch as he will likely see his role increase as the season goes on.

Friendship Tech Prep (2-1) vs Sandy Spring Friends (1-3)