Monday Mailbag: MIAA restart, Poly’s title chances, top teams

<p>As the majority of subscribers already know, we try to cover more players per state than any other high school scouting service around. Here at Prep Hoops Maryland, we like keeping fresh content every day for our subscribers to read, but this week I wanted to try and start a potential weekly series consisting of mailbag questions gathered from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or e-mail. Going forward, please don’t forget to send your questions in! Talking all things recruiting, opinions on certain players/teams or the rankings process (as I know there are always questions with how they’re formed). </p> <p>Twitter: @ColbyGHoops or @PrepHoopsMD</p> <p>Instagram: @colbygscouting</p> <p>E-mail: colby@prephoops.com</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. Do you think the MIAA will do the same as the Maryland state system? (IG: afleisch22)</strong></span></p> <p>I’m assuming this is in regard to having a plan of action for the season this winter. Obviously this entire plan is fluid and these circumstances surrounding COVID-19 change by the week, but in case you missed it, the state of Maryland released a couple of different plans to hold a winter basketball season as seen below:</p> <p>https://twitter.com/ColbyGHoops/status/1309200514647818243?s=20</p> <p>Now to address the question at hand, if this plan sticks, the MIAA will certainly start feeling pressure to have a similar model. At the moment they’ve given no insight on a restart even for fall sports. From my understanding, the committee has absolutely no plan for if/when the basketball season will start. Have they had conversations? Yes, but in terms of getting momentum on formulating actual dates they seem to be willing to wait it out. I’m not against this approach at all, but as time goes on coaches, parents and players are going to demand a response.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2. Even though it’s early, do you think Poly will win its 4th state title? (IG: _myantbition)</strong></span></p> <p>Poly’s pursuit of their four-peat was cut short due to COVID-19 last season. If all went as predicted, they would’ve face an uber-talented St. Charles squad in the championship game, but given Poly’s top-to-bottom roster from 2019-20, I find it hard to see a scenario where they ultimately lose. </p> <p>This means that this season they’d be going for number five. An unimaginable feat. While they lost a ton of production from last season in [player_tooltip player_id="531175" first="Justin" last="Lewis"] (Marquette), [player_tooltip player_id="900152" first="Rahim" last="Ali"] (Howard) and [player_tooltip player_id="773622" first="Brandon" last="Murray"] (IMG Academy), they have a number of players ready to step up and take increased roles. 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="777095" first="Bryce" last="Lindsay"] headlines that group coming off what was a huge spring and summer for his development. The 6-foot-2 guard has built a proven reputation as a top shooter in the DMV, but it was his ability to create for both himself or others off the bounce that was most impressive during his time with Team Thrill. I recently saw Lindsay in action as Poly lost a close game to Mt. Zion Prep, but Lindsay led the way with 21 points. The junior is prepared to take on a much bigger role this season.</p> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="957019" first="Kwame" last="Evans"] is considered a top-10 player in his class nationally. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove why this season as he and Lindsay will be expected to carry much of the scoring load. The 6-foot-9 wing is equipped with a dangerous long range jumper and he’s starting to show some development off the dribble. </p> <p>Getting 2021 wing [player_tooltip player_id="902030" first="Barry" last="Evans"] via transfer from Oakland Mills is going to end up being a big deal. He brings size and length at 6-foot-7 along with being another lefty next to Kwame. He’s a determined rebounder and isn’t afraid to get on the floor or do the dirty work that’s needed to edge out wins. </p> <p>2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="902040" first="Trae" last="English"] is one of the sleeper prospects in Baltimore. He brings command from the point guard position as well as elite defensive tools, a knack for getting to the rim and ultimately being the sparkplug that the Engineers will need against tough competition. </p> <p>2021 center [player_tooltip player_id="904632" first="Adam" last="Walden"] will need to come through in the paint if the Engineers want to meet their full potential. He brings great size at 6-foot-9, but the biggest thing with Walden is going to be consistency.</p> <p>Overall, the 3A class always has another couple of teams besides Poly that put together impressive resumes. The Engineers have a history and culture of going into the Xfinity Center and treating it like a second home court. While they’ll certainly be the favorites, I think this season brings a little more caution due to their lack of depth. Does someone off the bench step up that we didn’t see coming? It’s a great possibility. I hope we get to play this season and find out!</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3. Top public school teams in each county? (IG: wallywatts)</strong></span></p> <p><em>*in no particular order</em></p> <p>Anne Arundel: Annapolis/Old Mill/Southern</p> <p>Baltimore County: Dulaney/Parkville/Randallstown/Milford Mill</p> <p>Baltimore City: Poly/Edmonson</p> <p>Howard County: Reservoir/ River Hill</p> <p>Montgomery County: Springbrook</p> <p>Prince George’s County: Eleanor Roosevelt/Frederick Douglass/Wise/Oxon Hill</p> <p>Southern MD County: Huntingtown</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>