Prep Hoops Maryland Expo: Team 8 Notables

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue with coverage from this weekend's Expo as we move on to Team 7 evaluations. See links for the other team evals below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/the-expo-maryland-team-1-notables/">Team 1 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/the-expo-second-team/">Team 2 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/the-expo-maryland-team-3-notables/">Team 3 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/prep-hoops-maryland-expo-team-4-notables/">Team 4 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/prep-hoops-maryland-expo-team-5-notables/">Team 5 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/prep-hoops-maryland-expo-team-6-notables/">Team 6 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/prep-hoops-maryland-expo-team-7-notables/">Team 7 evaluations</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3336941"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfade"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The intrigue with Johnson comes from his size and skill. At 6-foot-5, he's more than capable of grabbing rebounds and leading the break himself where he poses as a scorer or playmaker for others filling lanes. He can put it in the basket from all three levels, guard multiple positions defensively and close down possessions as a rebounder both in and out of his area. Headed to Grace Christian for his junior season, look for Johnson to be a huge piece to their puzzle in 2026-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3589537"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfb40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Expected DeStefano to have a productive day and the 6-foot-7 sophomore lived up to the billing. His biggest threat offensively, in my opinion, is his ability to space the floor. Whether he's in the corners or used in pick-and-pops, he demands opposing forwards to cover ground throughout possessions. After he converted a few from deep, DeStefano attacked closeouts well or took advantage of smaller guards being matched up on him by establishing position in the mid-post, on the block or demanding leverage for offensive rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3343938"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfb88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones will be a prospect I monitor this season due to his combination of size and shot making. At 6'4" with a chance to get to 6'5", the sophomore at Concordia Prep should look to cash in on a big development season. He showed comfort and confidence operating in 1-on-1's where he could get into his shot with fluidity. He rebounded at a high rate, showed nice instincts as a screener and seems to know how to use his frame to expose mismatches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2972308"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfbca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blackstone had shown ability to impact the defensive end of the floor last season with Annapolis Area. Playing the top man of their zone defense, he developed anticipation skills in the passing lanes and with his speed, is able to quickly turn steals into points. The same was clear at The Expo as he caused deflections or off misses, put his head down and quickly got wide in lanes to put himself in position for advance passes from others. He should have a chance to earn a role within Old Mill's rotation as he makes the move to the AA County program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3140970"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfc0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reynolds proved himself as an active guard who played mainly off the ball in this setting, but remained dialed in as a cutter or finding his windows around the perimeter to make himself available for kick-outs. When he has time to step into his catch, he knocked down a few jumpers with confidence. In other instances, he made quick decisions with the ball that kept the defense moving and when things switched sides for his team, he played well in the gaps. Despite his lack of size at this point, Reynolds doesn't hesitate to put himself in the mix for 50/50s even if that means establishing some physicality to gain an edge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3771298"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfc4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas left a strong impression with his playmaking ability both as a scorer and distributor. A quick, crafty guard who took advantage of the plethora of transition opportunities that came along in an event such as this, Thomas dazzled with no-look dimes off the live bounce to others for easy scores. While he can score it with creativity, Thomas' intentions on drives was to demand attention from other defenders in order to set the table for others. His tight handle served him well navigating through traffic and his ability to deliver one-handed zip passes on target with either hand impressed me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2516096"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab6931ecfc89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior guard who playing with a high motor and competitive edge on both ends. Did a nice job of asserting his presence as a catch-and-shoot threat, but if given the chance to put the ball on the floor for drives, showed to keep things simple from a processing standpoint. Rebounds at a high rate for his position and used his strong frame well to wall off his man from establishing consistent paint touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->