MDPSSBT Semifinals: Unsigned senior standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 unsigned seniors who stood out in the semifinal action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2528191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3543346,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aa5f8c0d016"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Staring down the barrel at the end of his high school career, Houchins made sure he'd live to see another day while providing a nonstop source of energy in Clinton Grace's narrow win over host DeMatha. With the Stags mostly playing small, he was effective using his rangy frame and explosive athleticism to apply pressure on the rim as a cutter and slasher. Houchins would finish with 12 points while also showcasing his length as an active rebounder and defensive playmaker. The Eagles will look to make up for last year's championship loss with Houchins continuing to prove himself as a clear scholarship-level forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782654"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aa5f8c0d083"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Writing the final chapter of an accomplished high school career, Meeks refused to go down without a fight while pouring in 28 points in DeMatha's narrow loss to Clinton Grace. Never coming out of the game, he applied constant pressure on the defense with his trademark long-range shooting and expanded game off the dribble. Meeks never stopped moving whether with or without the ball while consistently burning defenders on the perimeter with his handle and showing refined decisionmaking to help set up teammates for easy looks. Despite struggling with his efficiency from the field, he was able to manufacture his own offense, knocking down 16 of 18 attempts from the foul line. With his senior season now in the rearview, Meeks' attention will shift to his recruitment as one of the top available guards in the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2640011"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aa5f8c0d0cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">New Hope would go down at the buzzer to end its season but by no fault of the effort of their energetic senior forward. Closing out his high school career, Augare-Deal played every second of the game on his way to an active 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. He was effective against an undersized frontcourt using his length and athleticism to finish swiftly around the rim as both a driver and cutter. The mismatch forward also showed touch in the midrange with flashes of 3-point range off the catch. Augare-Deal is a bit of a sleeper but would make a lot of scholarship-level programs happy with his blend of motor and versatility as a mismatch forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2450393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3543352,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aa5f8c0d11c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresh off his first D2 offer following an explosive quarterfinal performance, Long was at it again with a dynamic 19-point effort to help MZP Blue to a win at the buzzer. Long played with infectious energy while staying in attack mode, showing his quickness and creativity while getting to his spots off the bounce with consistency. Playing both on and off the ball, he proved to be a capable shooter whether off the catch from 3 or pulling up in the midrange. He also flashed slick passing vision with 6 assists and just 2 turnovers. He'll have to add some strength to his frame and learn to slow down a bit at times as a decisionmaker, but Long is emerging late as a potential scholarship-level option in the backcourt with his high-octane attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2148719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3543358,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aa5f8c0d167"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kicking the day off with a bang, Polk came through under pressure to extend his high school career with a driving layup at the buzzer to send MZP Blue into the championship. The energetic two-way guard finished with 17 points, attacking with consistent aggression while setting an intense tone in the backcourt. He was effective getting to the rim off the bounce both in the halfcourt and running ahead of the ball in transition while also showing comfortable mechanics on his pullup stroke out to the arc. Despite being on the smaller side, he's able to thrive using his quickness and impressive strength. Polk's eight turnovers highlight his need to improve on his decisionmaking as a lead guard but his impact and production are undeniable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->