MDPSSBT Semifinals: 2027 standouts

The Maryland Private School State Basketball Tournament continued on Tuesday with the semifinals for both the A and B divisions taking place at DeMatha. Takoma Academy and Mt. Zion Blue both advanced on buzzer-beaters to the B Championship, with Clinton Grace slated to take on Springdale Prep for the A Championship. Keep reading for a look at a handful of juniors who stood out in the semifinal action.    Considered among the top junior lead guards in the country, Lyons left no doubt as to why he's so highly touted in a dominant 28-point, 8-assist performance to move on to the title game. Lyons was incredibly efficient, needing just 14 shot attempts on the night despite some uncharacteristic struggles at the foul line. He was effective using his wicked handle and blazing quickness to work to his spots off the bounce, showing off his dexterity and athleticism as a finisher near the rim. He was active on the defensive end looking to spark the Eagles' transition attack and got going as a pullup shooter as the game went on. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, he made a series of key plays as both a scorer and facilitator to push ahead for good. Lyons had the team on his back and demonstrated why he's being pursued by some of the nation's best.     Leading the way in a thrilling overtime win, McKenzie put on a show down the stretch in a back-and-forth contest on his way to an electric 25 points. The southpaw started off uncharacteristically slow but stepped up when it mattered most, putting together a dynamic second-half effort. He was effective using his quickness to work his way downhill and finish with touch in the lane, but really got going as a pullup shooter with polished mechanics and endless confidence once he sees one or two go down. McKenzie flashed his vision as a playmaker for others and was a pest on the defensive end with 5 steals. He needs to add some strength to his frame and continue growing as a facilitator but the scholarship-level talent is evident when McKenzie gets into a rhythm.     Continuing to thrive in a valued Swiss-army role on the wing, Duncan did a little bit of everything on his way to a stat-stuffing performance and narrow win. Duncan was efficient in a complementary role, scoring 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting. He was effective early on as a slasher and cutter in the halfcourt, before stepping out later on for a pair of key 3s, including one to tie the game in the final minute. He showed his athleticism with an explosive alley-oop finish late in the game while staying active on the margins on both ends of the floor as a versatile two-way connector. His ability to touch the game in multiple facets, combined with a strong and athletic frame, should make him a coveted prospect up to the D1 level over the next year.     With McNamara's pair of high-major seniors sitting out with injuries, Woodard seized the opportunity to step up into a more prominent offensive role. The hyper-athletic forward delivered to the tune of 16 points and 12 rebounds in a last-second loss to Springdale Prep. He was a force using his size, quickness, and pogo-stick leaping ability to put pressure on the rim in both the halfcourt and transition. Woodard made a consistent impact defensively, flying around on the back line for explosive blocks and moving his feet comfortably on the perimeter with smaller players. He has to continue keeping his motor up and playing to his strengths but the ceiling for Woodard is undeniable when he's streamlined like he was on Tuesday.     Continuing to prove himself as one of the better guards in the state, Green added a key chapter to his DMV resumé with a hard-nosed, clutch performance in a narrow win over Bishop McNamara. The Alabama transplant was tough and aggressive from start to finish, playing a no-nonsense style on both ends of the floor that acquits itself perfectly to this region. He showed off his polished long-range shooting ability, connecting on 4 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc, none bigger than his pullup with 33 seconds remaining to push Springdale ahead for good. His on-ball defense was also a key factor in the game, as his quick feet and strong chest posed a consistent challenge for McNamara's guards. Green will hit the UAA circuit this spring and should garner further D1 attention after previously committing to Alabama A&M in the 2026 class.     A new prospect on the radar, Neal put himself on the map with a well-rounded 16-point effort in a buzzer-beating win. The transfer from DeMatha was evidently comfortable playing at his own school, making quick and aggressive decisions from a complementary frontcourt role to capitalize efficiently on whatever the defense presented. He was most effective working in the pocket, showing nice intermediate touch near the rim with toughness to finish through contact when necessary. His straight-line slashing ability also revealed itself throughout the game, attacking slower forwards off the bounce for swift finishes inside. With an athletic build and intriguing versatility, Neal has the tools to emerge as a scholarship-level prospect over the next year.

The Maryland Private School State Basketball Tournament continued on Tuesday with the semifinals for both the A and B divisions taking place at DeMatha. Takoma Academy and Mt. Zion Blue both advanced on buzzer-beaters to the B Championship, with Clinton Grace slated to take on Springdale Prep for the A Championship. Keep reading for a look at a handful of juniors who stood out in the semifinal action.