MIAA A Conference Preview: Most Improved Player Candidates

<p>We are now less than a week away from the MIAA A Conference officially tipping off. As we continue to preview the league, we’ll move onto looking at the prospects who could be considered for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. There’s always a chance of a player not including on this list breaking out and making an argument for himself, but heading into the shortened schedule, these are the players I predict will have the best chance.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902051" first="Sean" last="Carr"] | 6’6 | Mount St. Joseph ’21</strong></span></p> <p>Carr is primed to take on a much bigger role than last season and has made significant improvements to his game that prepares him to do so. He grew close to an inch and is standing a legit 6-foot-6, but it’s the improved explosion within his athleticism that allows him to play much bigger. He added to his offensive skillset over the summer and now is equipped with a capable jumper from beyond the arc, which makes him a pick-and-pop threat. The overall polish Carr has implemented into his game is shown in his confident approach when he’s on the floor. Last season he filled more a utility role for the reigning MIAA champions, but this season you can expect his numbers to take a big leap as he proves to be one of the more improved prospects in the area.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Christian-Winborne.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1065161" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Christian-Winborne-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="777071" first="Christian" last="Winborne"] | 6’2 | Gilman ’22</strong></span></p> <p>Usually this award will go to a player who makes a drastic improvement in their statistical averages. While Winborne had a very productive sophomore season by averaging 18 points per game, it’s hard to think that he’ll build on that average enough to get this award. However, the improvements that he has shown over the last 6-to-8 months can lead you to believe otherwise. For this Gilman team to be a true contender as they were last year throughout the regular season, Winborne will need to hover around the 25 point per game mark. In such a talented league, it’ll be a challenge but if anyone has the aggression and skill set to do so, it’s him.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Davis-Elijah-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1122358" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Davis-Elijah-Head-Shot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="904668" first="Elijah" last="Davis"] | 5’11 | St. Frances ’21</strong></span></p> <p>Davis has a truly inspirational story of a kid never giving up. After transferring to St. Frances last fall from DeMatha, Davis played spot minutes and had to make his impact solely on the defensive end of the floor. As we’ve progressed through this winter, he’s emerged as a staple for this Panthers team. He’s the table-setter that provides a calmness on the offensive end with his ability to facilitate and a chaotic approach on the defensive end with his relentless ball pressure and effort. From logging limited minutes as a junior, Davis is now a Division I commit as he’ll head to Mississippi Valley State next season after what should be a productive shortened senior schedule.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Vincent-Payn.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1014666" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Vincent-Payn-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="836500" first="Vincent" last="Payne"] | 6’2 | St. Maria Goretti ’21</strong></span></p> <p>Payne used the spring and summer stage to build his name within the Division II and Division III realm. Ultimately committing to Randolph Macon, the 6-foot-2 guard is a sharpshooter with high basketball IQ that will translate immediately. He’ll be viewed as the go-to scoring option for the Gaels this season and has shown hints of further developing his game off the bounce. They’ll need him to score consistently if they plan on making a run and over exceeding expectations this season and he did so today in their 75-52 win over Pallotti where he scored 16 points.</p>