Colby G's Early October Weekend Notebook

Despite it being September and early October, it feels as if we are in full swing of high school basketball season. The amount of quality fall events going on almost every weekend at this rate gives the viewers ample opportunities to get a feel for how teams will stack up this winter.   To say a ton of stock is being put into fall games from myself would be a lie. There are plenty of aspects to watch and invest in from both a team and player perspective, but this is the time to iron out rotations, give guys a chance to prove themselves who may not have enough time in the few weeks in practice before official games tip and it allows coaches to test the schemes they hope to use as their identity come late November.   As usual, we'll have you covered on the local happenings here at Prep Hoops MD/DC and although we weren't physically in a gym this weekend for specific events, it doesn't mean we weren't locked in virtually to the action.   The Northeast Scholastic Preview took place in King of Prussia, PA as a few teams from the state made the trip to take advantage of the stage. Below are some thoughts from my notebook that I had over the course of the two days with the MD/DC programs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Calvert Hall looks prepared to compete in the thick of the BCL/MIAA</h2>   The Baltimore Catholic League and the MIAA A Conference are going to be interesting to watch this season because of the parity. My season preview that releases in the coming weeks will dive deeper into each team, but aside from St. Frances being at the top, I could see a number of outcomes from the teams remaining. Over the last couple of weekends, you can see this Calvert Hall team getting more comfortable as a group.   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2265685' first='Billy' last='Stanfield III'], who ranks No. 5 overall in our local class rankings, has been playing like he deserves a bump in the next update and could jump a spot or two with the production, efficiency and consistency he's shown on both ends. He's always had the frame that draws you in and continues to add steady mass over time, which will bode well at the college level, but his decision making with the ball is what has stood out to me. His motor has never been a question either, but his grab-and-go ability has been highlighted with the newfound balance as an overall playmaker. He's a threat to stop-and-pop from the elbows, get all the way to the rim and finish through contact or make the right read as the defense collapses. It's the same approach from Stanfield in a half court setting and if he can be the offensive hub for this Cardinals group in the manner that he's shown this fall, he'll lead them to a top 3-4 position both leagues and be in contention for potential POY conversations.   The surrounding cast of players such as 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2982812' first='Cash' last='Rountree'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2927438' first='Noel' last='Igwe'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3291045' first='Markel' last='Cason'] and 2030 RJ Kearny are just a few others who have caught my eye over the last two weeks. You can tell Roundtree is becoming more comfortable as the primary ball handler and learning how to pick his spots. The game is slowing down and he's no longer having the tunnel vision mentality as he penetrates. Instead, he's processing the backline rotations, stringing out ball screens until the roller is open in the passing window and making the extra pass to turn a good shot into a great one. Igwe's positional versatility, floor-spacing presence from the wings/corners and willingness to act as a connector will help raise the floor of this team. Others such as Cason and Kearny will be crucial as opposing teams concentrate on stopping Stanfield, Rountree and Igwe.   Cason is more of a low maintenance offensive piece who will thrive as a cutter and finding gaps in the defense as the attention is elsewhere. Kearny is a freshman who can really shoot it from three and it wouldn't surprise me if he has a few loud outings this winter with the way he can knock 3-4 triples down in a hurry.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Archbishop Carroll (DC) will be a headache in the WCAC</h2>   These are the type of teams that head coach Malcolm Battle thrives with. A slew of players ranging from 6'4"-6'7" in his wing/frontcourt rotation who play with high motors, don't need to dribble the air out of it offensively and can guard multiple positions on the floor. His backcourt will be responsible for much of the playmaking and he should have no issues with the trio of guards such as 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353541' first='Bam' last='Bolding'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2731617' first='Ellis' last='Johnson'] and 2029 Koddie Slade.   Bolding is a Division I level prospect who prides himself on playing with a relentless competitive edge that cannot be taught. While he was a bit of a bottle rocket last season, the maturity within his pace and decision making have been improving rapidly since being handed the keys to the offense. His passion and intensity force everyone that he shares the floor with to match it. Not to mention he's polished his skillset such as finishing in traffic, the touch on his jumper from deep and his ability to drive with the intent of setting others up for clean looks. Johnson will play the Robin to Bolding's Batman this season, but is the true sniper for this group. His shooting is a necessity and the plus with the southpaw junior is that if Bolding is in foul trouble, he's more than capable of taking over the offense for stretches. Slade is a name that not many know of...for now. He's next in line long-term as the dynamic, tough-nosed lead guards that we've seen come from Battle's tutelage.   The way that 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2524445' first='Kaleb' last='Clark'] has implemented himself into the lineup has been promising. A transfer from KIPP Legacy (DC), the 6-foot-5 combo forward is more skilled than you'd think based off the eye-test in warmup lines. He has grab-and-go ability, creative ways to establish driving angles in 1-on-1's and can knock down shots off the catch with his feet set. He's another rugged, physical wing/forward that is more than willing to do the dirty work and this weekend, he showed that he has improved instincts as a cutter off the ball. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2388168' first='Chima' last='Amadi'] will be the key piece to the puzzle, in my opinion. Another guy who stands in the 6-foot-5 range, Amadi has been working on his outside shot this summer and the results have shown in crunch time of big games this fall. He can attack in straight lines, brings the necessary size to defend wings and as he settles into his role/expectations, could be the X-factor for this group. Tabbing Amadi as the swing guy for this team's potential wasn't easy because 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2610833' first='Truth' last='Kelly'] fits a similar mold. He's shown ability to guard the 3-5 positions for stretches, is an active mover within the half court setting and can mix it up off the bounce when he's playing with confidence.   Consistency will be key with this combo forward rotation if the Lions want to make serious noise in the WCAC this season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other quick observations</h2>   West Nottingham was without 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2303117' first='Dylan' last='Cudjoe'] this weekend, a prospect that I'm looking forward to getting a live evaluation on later this month. They took their punches, but it allowed others to show what they're capable of in bigger roles and I was pleased overall with the production from 2028 Luka Pochkua. A skilled 6'7"-6'8" forward with a burley frame, he can use his physicality to carve out space inside battling for boards or block position, but also serves as a decision maker from the top of the key in the form of DHO's the entry mans for high-low reads or with enough space, can capitalize from three.   This CATS team is really intriguing to me and despite being based out of Boston, they have a couple of local prospects who shined in different ways in their 3-1 showing. 2027 Samartine Hill (Farleigh Dickinson) sets the tone from the point guard position with his blazing quickness, water bug-style approach and ability to exploit the slightest of driving lanes makes life incredibly difficult for his defender throughout the course of a game. He's shooting the three-ball better when he gets his feet under him and doesn't rush the release and if he can limit the turnovers in spurts, will have this talented group operating line a well-oiled machine.   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn III'] (Buffalo) has spent the majority of his high school career playing in New Mexico, but has spent his summers with [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'] as his family is from the Baltimore area. Now up at CATS with his running mate in Hill from the Thrill days, he too will play a pivotal role this season and showed a ton of toughness and moxie this weekend. He was elite defensively as he embraced the opposing team's top perimeter threat and made it a point in making any action an obstacle for them. His ability to wall off drivers with his college-ready frame and refrain from fouling is impressive. So is his willingness as a cutter and getting open on off-ball screens, particularly during out of bounds sets where he got a few big buckets this weekend. If Lunn can convert the open ones from the corners off the catch, continue his connective passing traits and be a menace on the defensive end, this team will be a force this winter.

Despite it being September and early October, it feels as if we are in full swing of high school basketball season. The amount of quality fall events going on almost every weekend at this rate gives the viewers ample opportunities to get a feel for how teams will stack up this winter.